Effect of pulmonary function on bone mineral density in the United States: results from the NHANES 2007-2010 study.

The relationship between pulmonary function (PF) and bone mineral density (BMD) remains controversial. In the US population, we found a positive association between PF and BMD. Mixed variables such as age, gender, and race may influence this association. INTRODUCTION: Based on the data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2007 to 2010, this study explored whether there is a correlation between PF (1st second forceful expiratory volume as a percentage of expected value (FEV1(% predicted)), (one-second rate (FEV1/FVC)), and bone mineral density. METHODS: We evaluated the relationship between PF and BMD in 6327 NHANES subjects (mean age 44.51 ± 15.64 years) from 2007 to 2010. The bone mineral density of the whole femur was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). After adjusting for a wide range of confounders, we examined the relationship between PF and total femur BMD using a multiple linear regression model. RESULTS: Correction of race, age, alcohol consumption, body mass index (BMI), height, poor income ratio (PIR), total protein, serum calcium, serum uric acid, cholesterol, serum phosphorus, blood urea nitrogen, FEV1(% predicted), and femur BMD were positively correlated (ß = 0.032, 95% CI: 0.010-0.054, P = 0.004). FEV1/FVC was positively correlated with spine BMD (ß = 0.275 95%CI: 0.102-0.448, P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows that PF is positively associated with BMD in the US population. A variety of factors such as race and age influence this relationship. the relationship between PF and BMD needs to be further investigated, including specific regulatory mechanisms and confounding factors.

Breast cancer diagnosis and prognosis using a high b-value non-Gaussian continuous-time random-walk model.

AIM: To compare the diagnostic performance of mono-exponential model-derived apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), continuous-time random-walk (CTRW) model-derived Dm, α, ß and their combinations in discriminating malignancy of breast lesions, and investigate the association between model-derived parameters and prognosis-related immunohistochemical indices. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 85 patients with breast lesions (51 malignant, 34 benign) were analysed in this retrospective study. Clinical characteristics include oestrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), human epidermal receptor 2 (HER2), and Ki-67. The ADC was fitted using a mono-exponential model (b-values = 0, 800 s/mm2), while Dm, α, and ß were fitted using a CTRW model. Independent Student's t-test and the Mann-Whitney U-test were used for the comparison of parameters. Discrimination performance was accomplished by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, and Spearman's correlation analysis was used to explore the association between immunohistochemical indices and diffusion parameters, the statistical significance level was p<0.05. RESULTS: Dm and ADC demonstrated similar performance in differentiating malignant and benign lesions (AUC = 0.928 versus 0.930), while the combination of Dm, α, and ß could improve the AUC to 0.969. The combined parameter generated by ADC, Dm, α, and ß was effective in identifying the ER+/ER- and PR+/PR- patients. Temporal heterogeneity parameter α correlated significantly with the expression of PR. CONCLUSION: Diffusion parameters derived from the CTRW model could effectively discriminate the malignancy of breast lesions. Meanwhile, the hormone receptor expression could be distinguished by combined diffusion parameters, and have the potential to reflect the prognosis.

Improving the visualisation of perforator arteries for anterolateral thigh flaps harvest in CT angiography via sublingual glyceryl trinitrate.

AIM: To investigate the improvement of image quality and visualisation of the anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap perforators on computed tomography angiography (CTA) after administration of sublingual glyceryl trinitrate (GTN). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty patients with oral lesions received thigh CTA examinations were divided randomly into two groups after administration of sublingual GTN (GTN group) or without administration of sublingual GTN (non-GTN group). Two radiologists calculated the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), and assessed the image quality of each vessel. Besides, the grade of thigh artery, the lumen diameter of deep femoral artery, lateral circumflex femoral artery (LCFA), the descending branch of LCFA and its proximal and distal perforators, and the number and type of visible perforators were evaluated quantitatively. RESULTS: The SNR and CNR were not significantly different between the two groups (p>0.05). The image quality of CTA in the GTN group was significantly better than that in the non-GTN group (p<0.01). The lumen diameters of the deep femoral artery, LCFA, the descending branch of LCFA and its perforators were significantly larger in the GTN group than those in the non-GTN group (p<0.01). Compared with the non-GTN group, the number of visible perforators and the number of visible septocutaneous perforators were significantly more in the GTN group, and the qualitative grade of visible perforators was significantly higher (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The administration of sublingual GTN in preoperative thigh CTA can improve the image quality and visualisation of perforator vessels, thus could help surgeons to select the optimum ALT flaps.

Ultra-low-dose CT lung screening with artificial intelligence iterative reconstruction: evaluation via automatic nodule-detection software.

AIM: To test the feasibility of ultra-low-dose (ULD) computed tomography (CT) combined with an artificial intelligence iterative reconstruction (AIIR) algorithm for screening pulmonary nodules using computer-assisted diagnosis (CAD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A chest phantom with artificial pulmonary nodules was first scanned using the routine protocol and the ULD protocol (3.28 versus 0.18 mSv) to compare the image quality and to test the acceptability of the ULD CT protocol. Next, 147 lung-screening patients were enrolled prospectively, undergoing an additional ULD CT immediately after their routine CT examination for clinical validation. Images were reconstructed with filtered back-projection (FBP), hybrid iterative reconstruction (HIR), the AIIR, and were imported to the CAD software for preliminary nodule detection. Subjective image quality on the phantom was scored using a five-point scale and compared using the Mann-Whitney U-test. Nodule detection using CAD was evaluated for ULD HIR and AIIR images using the routine dose image as reference. RESULTS: Higher image quality was scored for AIIR than for FBP and HIR at ULD (p<0.001). As reported by CAD, 107 patients were presented with fewer than five nodules on routine dose images and were chosen to represent the challenging cases at an early stage of pulmonary disease. Among such, the performance of nodule detection by CAD on ULD HIR and AIIR images was 75.2% and 92.2% of the routine dose image, respectively. CONCLUSION: Combined with AIIR, it was feasible to use an ULD CT protocol with 95% dose reduction for CAD-based screening of pulmonary nodules.

Effect of antioxidant procyanidin b2 (pcb2) on ovine oocyte developmental potential in response to in vitro maturation (ivm) and vitrification stress.

BACKGROUND: It was demonstrated that external stress, such as in vitro maturation (IVM) and vitrification process can induce significantly reduced development capacity in oocytes. Previous studies indicated that antioxidants play a pivotal part in the acquisition of adaptation in changed conditions. At present, the role of the natural potent antioxidant PCB2 in response to IVM and vitrification during ovine oocyte manipulation has not been explored. OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether PCB2 treatment could improve the developmental potential of ovine oocytes under IVM and vitrification stimuli. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The experiment was divided into two parts. Firstly, the effect of PCB2 on the development of oocytes during IVM was evaluated. Un-supplemented and 5 ug per mL PCB2-supplemented in the IVM solution were considered as control and experimental groups (C + 5 ug per mL PCB2). The polar body extrusion (PBE) rate, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), ATP, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and early apoptosis of oocytes were measured after IVM. Secondly, we further determine whether PCB2 could improve oocyte quality under vitrification stress. The survival rate, PBE rate and early apoptosis of oocytes were compared between fresh group, vitrified group and 5 ug per mL PCB2-supplemented in the IVM solution after vitrification (V + 5 ug per mL PCB2). RESULTS: Compared to the control group, adding PCB2 significantly increased PBE rate (79.4% vs. 62.8%, P < 0.01) and MMP level (1.9 +/- 0.08 vs. 1.3 +/- 0.04, P < 0.01), and decreased ROS level (47.1 +/- 6.3 vs. 145.3 +/- 8.9, P < 0.01). However, there was no significant difference in ATP content and early apoptosis. Compared to the fresh group, vitrification significantly reduced oocytes viability (43.0% vs. 90.8%, P < 0.01) as well as PBE rate (24.2% vs. 60.6%, P < 0.05). However, 5 ug per mL PCB2-supplemention during maturation had no effect on survival, PBE or early apoptosis in vitrified oocytes. CONCLUSION: PCB2 could effectively antagonise the oxidative stress during IVM and promote oocyte development. DOI: 10.54680/fr23210110412.

[Efficacy of adjuvant programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) monoclonal antibody immunotherapy in Chinese patients with resected stage â ¡-â ¢ melanoma].

Objective: To explore the efficacy of adjuvant programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) monoclonal antibody immunotherapy in Chinese patients with resected stage Ⅱ-Ⅲ melanoma. Methods: A total of 296 patients who underwent radical surgery for stage Ⅱ-Ⅲ cutaneous orlimb melanoma at Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center and Shanghai Electric Power Hospital between 2017 and 2021 and received adjuvant PD-1 monoclonal antibody immunotherapy, low-dose interferon (IFN), or observational follow-up were enrolled in this study. Patients were divided into the PD-1 monoclonal antibody group (164 cases) and the IFN or observation group (IFN/OBS group, 132 cases) based on postoperative adjuvant treatment methods. Patients' disease recurrence and survival were observed. Results: Among the 296 patients, 77 had cutaneous melanoma and 219 had limb melanoma; 110 were stage Ⅱ and 186 were stage Ⅲ. Among stage Ⅱ patients, the median recurrence-free survival (RFS) in the PD-1 monoclonal antibody group (46 cases) did not reach, while the median RFS in the IFN/OBS group (64 cases) was 36 months. The 1-year RFS rates were 85.3% and 92.1% and the 2-year RFS rates were 71.9% and 63.7% in the PD-1 monoclonal antibody group and the IFN/OBS group, respectively, with no statistically significant difference (P=0.394). Among stage Ⅲ patients, the median RFS rates in the PD-1 monoclonal antibody group (118 cases) and the IFN/OBS group (68 cases) were 23 and 13 months, respectively. The 1-year RFS rates were 70.0% and 51.8% and the 2-year RFS rates were 51.8% and 35.1%in the PD-1 monoclonal antibody group and the IFN/OBS group, respectively, with a statistically significant difference (P=0.010). Stratified analysis showed that the advantage of PD-1 monoclonal antibody adjuvant therapy in improving RFS persisted in the subgroups of primary ulceration (HR=0.558, 95% CI: 0.348-0.893), lymph node macroscopic metastasis (HR=0.486, 95% CI: 0.285-0.828), stage ⅢC (HR=0.389, 95% CI: 0.24-0.63), and the subgroup without BRAF/c-Kit/NRAS gene mutations (HR=0.347, 95% CI: 0.171-0.706). In terms of recurrence patterns, in stage Ⅱ patients, the recurrence and metastasis rate was 15.2% (7/46) in the PD-1 monoclonal antibody group, significantly lower than the IFN/OBS group [43.8% (28/64), P=0.002]. In stage Ⅲ melanoma patients, the recurrence and metastasis rate was 42.4% (50/118) in the PD-1 monoclonal antibody group, also lower than the IFN/OBS group [63.2% (43/68), P=0.006]. Conclusions: In real-world settings, compared with patients receiving low-dose IFN adjuvant therapy or observational follow-up, PD-1 monoclonal antibody immunotherapy can reduce the recurrence and metastasis rate of cutaneous and limb melanoma, and prolong the postoperative RFS of stage Ⅲ cutaneous and limb melanoma patients. Patients with a heavier tumor burden benefit more from immunotherapy.

[Analysis of biofilm-forming ability and drug resistance for Hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae].

Investigate the biofilm-forming ability and drug resistance of Hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae (HvKP) to provide scientific basis for the treatment of HvKP-infection. A total of 96 Klebsiella pneumoniae strains isolated from clinical infection specimens in Changsha Central Hospital from January to December in 2021 were retrospectively collected, and the clinical data of patients were collected. The string test preliminarily distinguished between HvKP and classic Klebsiella pneumoniae (CKP). The biofilm-forming ability of clinical strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae (KP) was determined by microplate method. The Vitek 2 Compact automatic microbial identification/drug sensitivity analysis system was used for bacterial identification and drug sensitivity test. The clinical data of patients, biofilm forming ability and drug resistance in the HvKP group and those in the CKP group were compared and analyzed. The results showed that a total of 20 strains of HvKP were isolated from 96 non-repetitive KP, and the detection rate was 20.8%. HvKP mainly come from respiratory specimens, up to 75.0%.The prevalence of hepatobiliary diseases and the infection rate of multiple sites in patients with HvKP infection were higher than those in patients with CKP infection, and the difference was statistically significant(χ2=5.184,7.488;P=0.023,0.006).There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of gender, age, ICU admission, hypertension, diabetes, coronary heart disease, lung disease, urinary system disease, central nervous system disease and laboratory test indexes (all P>0.05).17 (85.0%) strains of HvKP can form biofilm, including 2 strains with weak biofilm-forming ability (10.0%), 10 strains with moderate biofilm-forming ability (50.0%) and 5 strains with strong biofilm-forming ability (25.0%). Among the 76 CKP, 71 (93.4%) could form biofilm, including 13 (17.1%) with weak biofilm-forming ability, 30(39.5%) with moderate biofilm-forming ability and 28 (36.8%) with strong biofilm-forming ability. There was no significant difference in biofilm-forming ability between HvKP and CKP (χ2=1.470,P=0.225).The overall resistance rate of HvKP was not high, but a multi-resistant HvKP resistant to carbapenems was found. The detection rate of multi-resistant HvKP (5.0%) was lower than that of multi-resistant CKP (28.9%), and the difference was statistically significant (χ2=4.984, P=0.026).The resistance rate of HvKP to piperacillin/tazobactam, aztreonam, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, ceftazidime, cefepime, tobramycin, minocycline, doxycycline, and compound sulfamethoxazole was lower than that of CKP, and the difference was statistically significant (all P<0.05). In conclusion, most of hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae can form biofilm in this study, but the difference of biofilm-forming ability is not obvious compared with classic Klebsiella pneumoniae. HvKP maintains high sensitivity to commonly used antibacterial drugs, but the drug resistance monitoring of the bacteria cannot be ignored.

[Advances in chest imaging in early chronic obstructive pulmonary disease].

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD)is a heterogeneous and complex disease, and is characterized by exertional dyspnea and chronic cough. For many years, lung function testing have been used to diagnose COPD, but the sensitivity of lung function testing is low, so there is an urgent need for more sensitive diagnostic methods that show early changes in pathology. In recent years, with the rapid development of HRCT, quantitative CT, new magnetic resonance imaging technology, optical coherence tomography (OCT), artificial intelligence, electrical impedance tomography, etc, it provides a basis for the early diagnosis of COPD. This article reviewed the progress in imaging studies of early COPD in recent years.

Observation of a Strongly Isospin-Mixed Doublet in

ß decay of proton-rich nuclei plays an important role in exploring isospin mixing. The ß decay of ^{26}P at the proton drip line is studied using double-sided silicon strip detectors operating in conjunction with high-purity germanium detectors. The T=2 isobaric analog state (IAS) at 13 055 keV and two new high-lying states at 13 380 and 11 912 keV in ^{26}Si are unambiguously identified through ß-delayed two-proton emission (ß2p). Angular correlations of two protons emitted from ^{26}Si excited states populated by ^{26}P ß decay are measured, which suggests that the two protons are emitted mainly sequentially. We report the first observation of a strongly isospin-mixed doublet that deexcites mainly via two-proton decay. The isospin mixing matrix element between the ^{26}Si IAS and the nearby 13 380-keV state is determined to be 130(21) keV, and this result represents the strongest mixing, highest excitation energy, and largest level spacing of a doublet ever observed in ß-decay experiments.

Effect of ontological insecurity on vaccination behavior against COVID-19: a hospital-based cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has brought great uncertainty to our society and it may have disrupted people's ontological security. Consequently, this hospital-based study concerns the impact of ontological insecurity on vaccination behavior against COVID-19. STUDY DESIGN: This cross-sectional study was conducted among hospital inpatients. METHODS: A questionnaire survey addressing inpatient ontological insecurity and vaccination behavior against COVID-19 was administered in Taizhou, China. A total of 1223 questionnaires were collected; specifically, 1185 of them were credible, for a validity rate of 96.9%. RESULTS: The score of ontological insecurity was 13.27 ± 7.84, which was higher in participants who did not recommend vaccination for others than those who did (12.95 ± 8.25 vs 14.00 ± 6.78, P = 0.022). There was no difference between the vaccinated and unvaccinated groups (13.22 ± 7.96 vs 13.35 ± 7.67, P = 0.779). Lower ontological insecurity (odds ratio [OR] = 1.40, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.08-1.81) and being inoculated with COVID-19 vaccines (OR = 2.17, 95% CI: 1.67-2.82) were significantly associated with recommendation of COVID-19 vaccines to others after adjusting for sex, age, education, and occupation. Associations between low ontological insecurity and recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines were observed in men, adults aged 18-59 years, non-farmers, and vaccine recipients. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that the ontological insecurity of participants affects their behavior of recommending the COVID-19 vaccination to others rather than getting vaccinated themselves. This promotion of vaccination can be considered from the perspective of improving ontological security in China.

Pregnancy of cryopreserved ovine embryos at different developmental stages.

BACKGROUND: Developmental stage and cryopreservation method have significant impact on the pregnancy rate after transfer of embryos produced in vivo. OBJECTIVE: To determine the pregnancy outcomes from ovine embryos cryopreserved at different developmental stages. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Embryos at different developmental stages were obtained from donor ewes through simultaneous estrus treatment and laparoscopic artificial insemination. Embryos, either cryopreserved via vitrification or slow freezing method, were implanted into recipient ewes. The pregnancy rate was determined 35 days after transfer. RESULTS: The pregnancy rate of developing embryos increases after transfer from the morula stage, early blastocyst to expanded blastocyst stages (64.9%, 73.9% and 81.3%, respectively). However, cryopreservation significantly decreases the pregnancy rate of embryos at all three developmental stages, and there is no significant difference among developmental stages (43.9%, 43.7%, 52.9%, respectively). There is also no significant difference in the pregnancy rate between slowly-frozen embryos and vitrified embryos. CONCLUSION: The pregnancy outcomes of embryo transfer is better at the expanded blastocyst stage than at earlier stages. However, no difference is observed in the pregnancy rate of embryos at different developmental stage after cryopreservation, either by slow freezing and vitrification. Cryopreservation methods for ovine embryos, both slow freezing and vitrification, need further improvement. doi.org/10.54680/fr22510110512.

[Recommendations of diagnosis and treatment of relapsing polychondritis in China].

Relapsing polychondritis is an immune mediated systemic inflammatory disease, involving the cartilaginous and proteoglycan rich structures. The characteristic manifestations were inflammation and deformity of ear and nasal cartilage. Here, Chinese Rheumatology Association summarized manifestations, diagnosis and disease activity index evaluation of relapsing polychondritis, standardized treatment regimens, to improve disease prognosis.

[Diagnostic efficacy of metagenomic next-generation sequencing for intracranial bacterial infection pathogens after neurosurgery].

Objective: To explore the diagnostic efficacy of metagenomicnext-generation sequencing (mNGS) technique for pathogen diagnosis of intracranial infection after neurosurgery. Methods: Patients with suspected intracranial infection after neurosurgery who were treated in Beijing Tiantan Hospital of Capital Medical University from May 2017 to October 2018 were selected. Cerebrospinal fluid samples were collected for mNGS detection and bacterial culture. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of these two methods were calculated, and their differences were compared. Results: A total of 80 cerebrospinal fluid samples from patient with suspected intracranial infection after neurosurgery were included, including 53 males and 27 females, with a mean age of (41±19) years old(age range: 2-80 years).After clinical review, a clinical diagnosis was made by two neurosurgery specialists through comprehensively interpretation of the patient's clinical data, laboratory tests and imaging examinations. Finally, 42 cases of intracranial infection and 38 cases of non-infection were clinically diagnosed. The sensitivity and specificity of mNGS detection were 83.33%(35/42) and 76.32%(29/38), and the positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 79.55%(35/44) and 80.56%(29/36). Meanwhile, the sensitivity and specificity of bacterial culture were 59.52%(28/42) and 68.42%(26/38), the positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 68.00% (28/40) and 60.47%(26/40). The sensitivity of mNGS detection washigher than that of bacterial culture, and the difference was statistically significant(χ2=5.83, P=0.015).Compared with bacterial culture, there was no statistically significant difference in the specificity of mNGS detection(χ2=0.59, P=0.441). Conclusion: mNGS detection technique can improve the detection rate of intracranial infection pathogens after neurosurgery, and may become a promising auxiliary diagnostic tool for pathogen detection.

[Effects of statins on mortality and neurologic outcomes in patients with traumatic brain injury: a meta-analysis].

Objective: To systematically evaluate the effects of statins on the mortality and neurologic function prognosis in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Methods: The PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, the Cochrane Clinical Controlled Trial Center Registry Database, Chinese Journal Full-text Database (CNKI), and WanFang database up to 2021.1 were searched to obtain clinical randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and retrospective cohort studies of statins in the treatment of TBI. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were used to screen literature and extract data. Ottawa scale and the RCT bias risk assessment tool was used for quality evaluation. Comprehensive Meta Analysis V3 statistical software for meta-analysis was applied. Results: Thirteen studies were included, with a total of 116, 500 patients, including 46, 933 patients using statins in the intervention group and 69, 567 patients in the control group. Meta-analysis results showed that compared with the control group, statins can reduce the mortality of TBI patients (OR=0.82, 95%CI: 0.74-0.92, P<0.01), significantly improve the neurologic outcomes of TBI patients (OR=0.19, 95%CI: 0.13-0.26, P<0.01), and reduce the levels of TNF-α and IL-1ß after TBI (TNF-α: OR=0.16, 95%CI: 0.07-0.34, P<0.01; IL-1ß: OR=0.08, 95%CI: 0.04-0.18, P<0.01), with statistically significant differences. Conclusion: Statins can reduce the mortality of patients with TBI and improve the neurologic outcomes. Their reduction of inflammation in the body may be the basis of potential treatment, but more high-quality RCTs are still warranted.

[Combined application of field epidemiology and laboratory etiology analysis in the investigation of a foodborne disease outbreak in Xinjiang uygur Autonomous Region, 2016].

Objectives: To analyze the causes of a foodborne outbreak in rural areas of Xinjiang between April 2 and April 5 in 2016. Methods: Cases and the relevant background information were obtained by consulting outpatient records of local health centers and regional people's hospitals and interviewing doctors and residents. All samples were collected by the laboratory test through epidemiological and food hygiene investigations. The χ2 test (Fisher's exact probability method) was used to compare differences in incidence rates. Molecular typing, virulence genes and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPS) were analyzed by using Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE) and Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS). Results: A total of 142 cases were found in this study, with incidence rate at 5.7‰ (142/24 979). Among all cases, the main symptoms were nausea (94%), vomiting (92%) and abdominal pain (67%), and the incubation period was about 2 h (1-7.5 h). There were 16 Staphylococcus aureus isolates identified and all of them could produce A+C+E mixed enterotoxin. PFGE showed 100% homology. WGS further revealed that there were 9 and 1 strains contained by Sequence Type 1 (ST1) and ST5405, respectively. All ST1 strains were in the same clade on the genome tree. Among these, 7 strains shared close proximity (74 SNPs) and 2 strains shared close relationships as well (127 SNPs). The S. aureus isolates that caused the outbreak were introduced by a mutant isolate from the milk supply station. Conclusions: This foodborne outbreak was mainly caused by Staphylococcus aureus contamination.

[Analysis on epidemiological characteristics of pneumoconiosis in Qinghai Province from 2011 to 2020].

Objective: To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of pneumoconiosis in Qinghai Province from 2011 to 2020, and to provide a basis for the formulation of prevention and control strategy. Methods: In April 2021 , the cases of pneumoconiosis were monitored by the Occupational Disease and Health Hazard Factors Monitoring Information System in Qinghai Province from 2011 to 2020. The distribution of pneumoconiosis, the composition of diseases and the working years exposed to dust were analyzed. Results: All 1026 cases of pneumoconiosis were newly diagnosed in Qinghai Province from 2011 to 2020, silicosis and coal worker pneumoconiosis were the main diseases (78.36% ,804/1026). Stage Ⅰ pneumoconiosis were 484 (47.17%,484/1026) cases. 359 (34.99%,359/1026) cases, 315 (30.70%,315/1026) cases and 252 (24.56%, 252/1026) cases had been diagnosed respectively in Xining City, Haidong City and Haixi Prefecture; 628 (61.21%,628/1026) cases and 418 (40.74%, 418/1026) cases engaged in mining industry and large-sized enterprise, respectively. The working years exposed to dust in silicosis cases were shorter than that in coal worker pneumoconiosis and other pneumoconiosis (P <0.05). Conclusion: The pneumoconiosis area and industry focus in Qinghai Province is obvious. The supervision and adninistration of small and micro scale employers should be strengthened to protect the health rights and interests of workers, especially for the key area and industry.

Genome scanning reveals novel candidate genes for vertebral and teat number in the Beijing Black Pig.

Porcine vertebral and teat numbers are variable and important economic traits in pig production. However, the quantitative trait loci (QTL) and candidate genes for both of these traits in the Beijing Black Pig are not yet known. In the present study, number of vertebrae and number of teats were obtained for 891 individuals of the Beijing Black Pig and genotyped using the Illumina Porcine 50 K BeadChip. Genome scanning was performed to detect associated variants and candidate genes for both traits using a genome-wide association study by tassel software. For vertebral number, 15 significant SNPs were located on SSC7. According to linkage disequilibrium analysis on SSC7, a haplotype block of 221 kb from 97.4 to 97.6 Mb was shown to contain a good candidate gene ABCD4. Interestingly, on SSC12, we recorded a novel QTL containing three significant SNPs and 34 annotated genes from 24.0 to 25.7 Mb for vertebral number. Of the 34 genes, nine Hox family genes (HOXB 1-7, 9, and 13) were found to be good candidate genes. Using the 34 genes, a gene ontology analysis was performed to detect enrichment of anterior/posterior pattern specification. For teat number, a novel chromosome-wide significant QTL was identified on SSC10. In this QTL region, one significant SNP was identified. The nearest gene, NTRK2, was regarded as a candidate gene. The present results expanded the QTL for vertebral and teat numbers and provided useful molecular markers for breeding in the Beijing Black Pig population.

The optimal peripheral oxygen saturation may be 95-97% for post-cardiac arrest patients: A retrospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Current post-resuscitation guidelines recommend oxygen titration in adults with the return of spontaneous circulation after cardiac arrest. However, the optimal peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) is still unclear for post-cardiac arrest care. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective observational study of prospectively collected data of all cardiac arrest patients admitted to the intensive care units between 2014 and 2015. The main exposure was SpO2, which were interfaced from bedside vital signs monitors as 1-min averages, and archived as 5-min median values. The proportion of time spent in different SpO2 categories was included in separate multivariable regression models along with covariates. The primary outcome measure was hospital mortality and the proportion of discharged home as the secondary outcome was reported. RESULTS: 2836 post-cardiac arrest patients in ICUs of 156 hospitals were included. 1235 (44%) patients died during hospitalization and 818 (29%) patients discharged home. With multivariate regression analysis, the proportion of time spent in SpO2 of ≤89%, 90%, 91%, and 92% were associated with higher hospital mortality. The proportion of time spent in SpO2 of 95%, 96%, and 97% were associated with a higher proportion of discharged home outcome, but not associated with hospital mortality. CONCLUSIONS: In this retrospective observational study, the optimal SpO2 for patients admitted to the intensive care unit after cardiac arrest may be 95-97%. Further investigation is warranted to determine if targeting SpO2 of 95-97% would improve patient-centered outcomes after cardiac arrest.

[Correlation study between changes in intestinal microflora structure and immune indexes in newly treated patients with pulmonary tuberculosis].

To explore the correlation between the changes of the intestinal flora of newly treated pulmonary tuberculosis patients and the immune indicators of the body, and to provide a reference for the prevention and treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis. A single-center and case-control study was adopted. From October 2020 to April 2021, 43 patients with newly diagnosed tuberculosis in the Department of Tuberculosis, Affiliated Changsha Central Hospital,University of South China were selected as the control group. 43 cases of newly treated pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB), 43 healthy control (HC) during the same period, collected fresh feces and whole blood of subjects, and used Illumina Hiseq high-throughput sequencing technology to analyze 16S of all microorganisms in feces The V4 region of rRNA was amplified and sequenced, and the structure of the intestinal flora was analyzed by QIIME software. Use flow cytometry to determine the subject's immune indicators (CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD4+CD25+CD127-Treg, CD14+CD16+, CD14+CD16-), and analyze the changes in intestinal flora and immune function in newly treated pulmonary tuberculosis patients Inherent connection. The χ² test, t test, and Wilcox rank sum test were used to analyze the differences in age, gender, α diversity, and relative abundance of the two groups of people. Compared with the HC group, the alpha diversity of the intestinal flora in the PTB group decreased (shannon index: t=3.906, P=0.000 2; simpson index: Z=553, P=0.004 7; chao1 index: t=5.395, P=0.000 0). ß diversity analysis showed that there were significant differences in the structure of the intestinal flora between the two groups (P=0.000). Species difference analysis showed that at the phylum level, the relative abundance of Firmicutes in the PTB group was significantly lower than that in the HC group (Z=486.0, P=0.000 5). At the genus level, there are 15 different bacterial genera between the two groups. In the PTB group, bifidobacterium, enterococcus, lactobacillus, anaerostipes, the relative abundance of the above 5 genera of veillonella is higher than that of the HC group (P<0.05); Butyricimonas, clostridium, and broutella (blautia), coprococcus, dorea, lachnospira, roseburia, faecalibacterium, ruminococcus, the relative abundance of 10 bacterial genera including dialister was lower than that of the HC group (P<0.05). Comparison of immune indexes between groups showed that CD14+CD16+monocytes (%) in the PTB group were higher than those in the HC group (t=2.456, P=0.001 6<0.05), while CD14+CD16-monocytes (%) were lower than HC (t=-4.368, P=0.000<0.05), while the differences in CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD4+/CD8+and Treg (CD4+CD25+CD127-) were not statistically significant (P>0.05). Spearman correlation analysis showed that Firmicutes in the PTB group was negatively correlated with CD4+/CD8+, CD14+CD16+(r=-0.218, P=0.048; r=-0.245, P=0.025), and positively correlated with CD14+CD16-Correlation (r=0.250, P=0.022); At the genus level, Faecalis is positively correlated with CD4+/CD8+and CD4+(r=0.250, P=0.023; r=0.258, P=0.019); Rosella and CD3+, CD8+and CD14+CD16-are positively correlated (r=0.27, P=0.024; r=0.219, P=0.046; r=0.027, P=0.039), and negatively correlated with CD14+CD16+(r=-0.280, P= 0.01). Changes in the structure of the intestinal flora of newly treated pulmonary tuberculosis patients may be one of the influencing factors of the immune function of the body. Targeted optimization of the structure of the intestinal flora and improvement of the body's immunity may be used as an effective auxiliary treatment for pulmonary tuberculosis.

[Clinical characteristics of 288 cases of pathologically confirmed benign pulmonary nodules post-surgery].

Objective: To analyze retrospectively the clinical characteristics of pathologically confirmed benign pulmonary nodules post-surgery, and therefore to provide evidence for the diagnosis of benign pulmonary nodules. Methods: 288 cases of pulmonary nodules were selected in the Ruijin Hospital from 1st January 2017 to 31st October 2019. All the lesions of these patients were confirmed by surgery and had definite pathological diagnosis. The clinical data were collected, including demography, clinical data, radiological features. Features that indicated benign pulmonary nodules were summarized. Results: The main etiologies of benign pulmonary nodules were granulomas, hamartomas, cryptococcus infection, organizing pneumonia and non-specific inflammation. In our cohort, we found that the radiological characteristics of benign nodules were single, solid, less than 10 mm in average diameter, with well-defined margins, absence of vacuole sign or vascular convergence , and negative functional imaging. Conclusion: The most common etiologies of post-surgical benign nodules were granulomas, hamartomas, and cryptococcus infection, characterized by being single, solid and with well-defined margins. Caution should be taken before considering surgery for such nodules.