PURPOSE: To screen laboratory markers with predictive value in early spinal surgical site infections (SSI) that are diagnosed within 30 days postoperatively. METHODS: Patients who underwent surgical treatment for internal spinal fixation between March 2022 and March 2023 in our hospital were retrospectively studied. The inclusion criteria were aged >18 years, undergoing internal fixation surgery, complete medical records with >30 days of postoperative follow-up, diagnosis was made within 30 days postoperatively, and an informed consent form was obtained. The exclusion criteria were abnormal white blood cell count or neutrophil percentage in the preoperative blood routine and combined diseases that may affect the C-reactive protein (CRP) or procalcitonin (PCT) values, including lower respiratory tract infection, renal insufficiency, and liver disease. We collected patients' personal information, surgical information, and blood laboratory data, including CRP, PCT, lymphocyte-neutrophil ratio, platelet-neutrophil ratio, and routine blood tests on preoperative and postoperative days 3, 5, and 7, from these patients. These data were statistically analyzed to determine which laboratory markers were statistically significant. The diagnostic value and optimal diagnostic threshold of these laboratory markers were further determined by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. RESULTS: A total of 106 patients were enrolled in this study, of whom 8 patients were diagnosed with early SSI. A total of 4 laboratory markers were screened, namely, CRP on postoperative day 7 (optimal diagnostic threshold of ≥64.1 mg/L, sensitivity of 100%, specificity of 76.5%, area under the curve (AUC) of 0.908), PCT on postoperative day 7 (optimal diagnostic threshold of ≥0.2 ng/mL, sensitivity of 87.5%, specificity of 94.1%, AUC of 0.967), lymphocyte count on postoperative day 5 (optimal diagnostic threshold of ≤0.67 × 10⁹/L, sensitivity of 50%, specificity of 95.9%, AUC of 0.760), and lymphocyte count on postoperative day 7 (optimal diagnostic threshold of ≤1.32 × 10⁹/L, sensitivity of 87.5%, specificity of 55.1%, AUC of 0.721). CONCLUSION We concluded that CRP and PCT levels on postoperative day 7 and lymphocyte counts on postoperative days 5 and 7 are useful markers in screening for early spinal SSI.
Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Male ; Female ; Biomarkers/blood* ; Middle Aged ; C-Reactive Protein/analysis* ; Surgical Wound Infection/blood* ; Procalcitonin/blood* ; Adult ; Aged ; Postoperative Period ; ROC Curve ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Spine/surgery*

Mayaro fever is a mosquito-borne viral infectious disease caused by Mayaro virus (MAYV). The main clinical symptoms are sudden onset of high fever triad, arthralgia and maculopapular rash. MAYV outbreaks occur more frequently in the Americas Region, particularly within tropical forests in Brazil. However, in recent years, virus circulation has been spreading to the Switzerland and Netherlands in Europe, which may invade urban areas and cause epidemics across the region. Consequently, this work focuses on the epidemiological characteristics and research progress of MAYV prevention and control, including biological characteristics, epidemiology, transmission vectors, prevention measures and treatment of this virus.

Objective:To evaluate the effects of quality improvement (QI) program on the incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in very preterm infants (VPIs) [gestational age (GA)<32 weeks].Methods:From July to December 2017,VPIs admitted to the Department of Neonatology of Yancheng Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital were retrospectively enrolled and were assigned into pre-quality improvement program group (Pre-QI group).From July to December 2018, VPIs were assigned into post-quality improvement program group (Post-QI group). QI program included delayed umbilical cord clamping (DCC), early postnatal nasal continuous positive airway pressure ventilation (nCPAP) and minimally invasive pulmonary surfactant therapy (MIST). The clinical data and prognostic indicators of the two groups of VPIs and their mothers were compared. Independent sample t-test or continuity-adjusted Chi-square test (or Fisher's exact test) and Logistic regression were used for statistical analysis. Results:A total of 204 VPIs were enrolled, including 96 cases in Pre-QI group and 108 cases in Post-QI group. 1 min Apgar score and hematocrit on admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in the Post-QI group were significantly higher than the Pre-QI group( P<0.05). The incidence of delivery room resuscitation, endotracheal intubation at birth and endotracheal intubation in NICU in the Post-QI group were significantly lower than the Pre-QI group( P<0.05). The application of pulmonary surfactant and mechanical ventilation, the incidence of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome and BPD in the Post-QI group were lower than the Pre-QI group ( P<0.05). After adjusting for confounding factors, Logistic regression analysis showed that DCC ( aOR=0.261,95% CI 0.091~0.718, P=0.023), nCPAP ( aOR=0.284,95% CI 0.123~0.667, P=0.015), MIST ( aOR=0.276,95% CI 0.114~0.627, P=0.011) were protective factors of BPD, and MV ( aOR=2.023,95% CI 1.048~3.918, P=0.036) was risk factor of BPD. Conclusions:The QI program consisting of DCC, early nCPAP and MIST for VPIs can reduce the incidence of BPD.

Objective To explore the association between lipid profiles and left ventricular hypertrophy in a Chinese general population. Methods We conducted a retrospective observational study to investigate the relationship between lipid markers [including triglycerides, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, non-HDL-cholesterol, apolipoprotein A-I, apolipoprotein B, lipoprotein[a], and composite lipid profiles] and left ventricular hypertrophy. A total of 309,400 participants of two populations (one from Beijing and another from nationwide) who underwent physical examinations at different health management centers between 2009 and 2018 in China were included in the cross-sectional study. 7,475 participants who had multiple physical examinations and initially did not have left ventricular hypertrophy constituted a longitudinal cohort to analyze the association between lipid markers and the new-onset of left ventricular hypertrophy. Left ventricular hypertrophy was measured by echocardiography and defined as an end-diastolic thickness of the interventricular septum or left ventricle posterior wall > 11 mm. The Logistic regression model was used in the cross-sectional study. Cox model and Cox model with restricted cubic splines were used in the longitudinal cohort. Results In the cross-sectional study, for participants in the highest tertile of each lipid marker compared to the respective lowest, triglycerides [odds ratio (OR): 1.250, 95％CI: 1.060 to 1.474], HDL-cholesterol (OR: 0.780, 95％CI: 0.662 to 0.918), and lipoprotein(a) (OR: 1.311, 95％CI: 1.115 to 1.541) had an association with left ventricular hypertrophy. In the longitudinal cohort, for participants in the highest tertile of each lipid marker at the baseline compared to the respective lowest, triglycerides [hazard ratio (HR): 3.277, 95％CI: 1.720 to 6.244], HDL-cholesterol (HR: 0.516, 95％CI: 0.283 to 0.940), non-HDL-cholesterol (HR: 2.309, 95％CI: 1.296 to 4.112), apolipoprotein B (HR: 2.244, 95％CI: 1.251 to 4.032) showed an association with new-onset left ventricular hypertrophy. In the Cox model with forward stepwise selection, triglycerides were the only lipid markers entered into the final model. Conclusion Lipids levels, especially triglycerides, are associated with left ventricular hypertrophy. Controlling triglycerides level potentiate to be a strategy in harnessing cardiac remodeling but deserve to be further investigated.

In order to suppress the geometrical artifacts caused by random jitter in ray source scanning, and to achieve flexible ray source scanning trajectory and meet the requirements of task-driven scanning imaging, a method of free trajectory cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) reconstruction is proposed in this paper. This method proposed a geometric calibration method of two-dimensional plane. Based on this method, the geometric calibration phantom and the imaging object could be simultaneously imaged. Then, the geometric parameters could be obtained by online calibration method, and then combined with the geometric parameters, the alternating direction multiplier method (ADMM) was used for image iterative reconstruction. Experimental results showed that this method obtained high quality reconstruction image with high contrast and clear feature edge. The root mean square errors (RMSE) of the simulation results were rather small, and the structural similarity (SSIM) values were all above 0.99. The experimental results showed that it had lower image information entropy (IE) and higher contrast noise ratio (CNR). This method provides some practical value for CBCT to realize trajectory freedom and obtain high quality reconstructed image.
Algorithms ; Calibration ; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Phantoms, Imaging

Enhancement of health management capability and resource utilization efficiency of hospitals has become an imperative need to deepen the healthcare reform. The high-value consumables are subject to point-to-point accurate tracking based on code scan, relying on the hospital′s WeChat official account for WeChat-based management. The WeChat platform enables the system to automatically push the preset procurement plan to the mobile terminal of the managers via the low-inventory alarm at the departments. On the other hand, vendors can use their own mobile terminals to receive in time the plans, query product inventory, and last month invoicing information. These measures facilitate the hospital management on high-value consumables.

Objective To explore the value of practicing PBL which was guided by MDT in teaching diagnoses and treatments of war wound and trauma caused by compound agents.Methods An emulational war wound case caused by compound factors was designed and a multi-disciplinary team been organized,then totally 45 interns who would graduate in 2017 were divide into two groups randomly,experimental group which had 23 cases received PBL model combined with MDT followed six step procedure which included case preparation by teachers,independent analysis and group discussion by interns,problem extraction by teachers and division of solution by interns before class,then answering and debating problems by interns in class,conclusion and reporting after class in the end,while the control group which had 22 cases received traditional teaching model in accordance with common case discussion in class including characteristics of patient,diagnosis and diagnostic basis,examinations needed to carry out,first aid measures and professional treatments.The effect of new teaching model was evaluated by assessment in class and questionnaire after class.The data was analyzed through Chi-square test by SPSS 22.0.Results Class assessment showed 18 (78.3％) interns in experimental group displayed good abilities of proposing,analyzing and resolving medical problem,as well as good presentation and speech skills.Questionnaire survey showed that not only clinical teaching of war wound and trauma could meet the demands of talent training in battle-field rescue,but also displayed new model,which could help interns to enhance abilities of first-aid and treatment of war wound on future war field,reinforce the consciousness of military medical support and service.In addition,it could clear confusion more professionally and strengthen teamwork and overall importance.Conclusion Applying PBL combined with MDT in teaching diagnoses and treatments of war wound and trauma can not only help interns to review and retain important knowledge of related subjects,but also improve the abilities of interns in clinical diagnoses and treatments,and moreover,it merges the medical knowledge and war wound cure together organically.In short,the new model is well worth applying in clinical teaching and military medical education because of its excellent effects.

Objective To study the correlation of the serum albumin level on the first day of life and the mortality rate in preterm infants .Method Premature infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit between January 2015 and December 2015 were recruited for study .Preterm infants were assigned into low level group ( <25 g/L ) , medium level group ( 25 ~30 g/L ) and high level group ( >30 g/L ) according to serum albumin level on the first day after birth .To compare the treatment and related prognostic factors among the three groups with χ2 and F tests.Besides, multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to predict the relative factors of premature infant mortality .Result A total of 364 premature infants were collected, and the mean serum albumin concentration was (27.9 ±5.7) g/L.There were 92 cases of low level group, 179 cases of moderate level group and 93 cases of high level group.There was no significant difference in gender , gestational age , birth weight and gestational age among the preterm infants (P>0.05).The pH, base excess value of first blood gas after birth and the percentage of prenatal steroid hormone in premature infants were lower than those in medium and high level group .The percentage of prenatal eclampsia and Lac value were higher than that of medium group and high level group , and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05).There were no statistical differences among three groups in the proportion of mechanical ventilation , the duration of mechanical ventilation and oxygen , the length of hospital stay and the incidence rate of patent ductus arteriosus , intracranial hemorrhage , bronchopulmonary dsyplasia, necrotizing enterocolitis, retinopathy of prematurity and periventricular leukomalacia (P>0.05). The incidence of respiratory distress syndrome , sepsis and mortality in the low level group were higher than that of the other groups, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05).Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that low birth weight (OR=1.233, P=0.005), serum albumin concentration (<25 g/L) (OR=3.453, P=0.020), and the complication of respiratory distress syndrome and sepsis (OR=1.363、2.611, P =0.006、0.004) were independent predictors of mortality in preterm infants . Albumin levels lower than 22.8 g/L is associated with mortality , with a sensitivity of 72%and a specificity of 85%.Conclusion The decrease of serum albumin level on the first day of life after birth can be used as an independent risk factor for predicting mortality in premature infants .

Objective: To observe the effect of mild-warm moxa stick moxibustion on fatigue, immune state and quality of life (QOL) in sub-health population. Methods: A total of 120 cases were randomly allocated into a moxibustion group (n=60) and a Chinese patent medicine (CPM) group (n=60). People in the moxibustion group were intervened with mild-warm moxa stick moxibustion, once a day; while people in the control group took oral Bu Zhong Yi Qi Wan (Spleen/stomach-supplementing and Qi-boosting Pill), 3 doses a day. Two months made up a course of treatment. The fatigue, immune state and QOL were then observed after one treatment course, followed by a 12-month follow-up. Results: A total of 115 cases completed the clinical trial. After intervention, the fatigue scores, immune parameters and QOL scores were significantly increased in both groups, showing statistical significances (P<0.05). There were between-group significant differences in fatigue score, levels of immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG, natural killer (NK) cell activity and QOL score (P<0.05). After the 12-month follow-up, there were still significant between-group differences in fatigue score, physical health, psychological, social relationships and overall perception of QOL and overall perception of health (P<0.05). Conclusion: Mild-warm moxibustion can markedly improve the fatigue, immune state and QOL in sub-health population.

Objective To investigate the protective function and mechanism of microRNA-1 (miR-1) downregula-tion in H2O2 injured cardiomyocytes. Methods The experiment was divided into 4 groups:Blank group, Negative Control group (NC), H2O2 group and H2O2+AS-miR-1 group. Cells in blank group were not underwent any treatment. Cells in NC group were transfected with random miRNA fragment. H2O2 and H2O2+AS-miR-1 groups were defined as H2O2 injured car-diomyocytes without or with transfected antisense miR-1 oligonucleotide(AS-miR-1). Real time PCR was used to test miR-1 transcription level, and cell vitality and apoptosis were analyzed by MTT and flow cytometry. The target gene of miR-1 was predicted by bioinformatics, then its mRNA transcription and protein expression level of Bcl-2 were detected by real time PCR and western blot respectively. Results There is no significant difference of all index between Blank group and NC group. H2O2 can induce cardiomyocyte injury, increase miR-1 level and rise apoptosis rate, reduce cell vitality and de-crease Bcl-2 expression level. Transfection of AS-miR-1 can decrease cell apoptosis, increase cell vitality and enhance Bcl-2 expression level. Conclusion Downregulation of microRNA-1 can protect cardiomyocytes that was injured by H2O2 through increasing anti-apoptosis factor Bcl-2 expression.