OBJECTIVE: To establish a rat model of cervical syndrome (CS) with kidney deficiency. METHODS: A group of 30 three-month-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into normal control group, CS group and CS with kidney deficiency group (combined group), with 10 rats in each group. Rats in the normal control group received no treatment, rats in the CS group underwent only resection of cervical muscles and ligaments as unbalanced dynamic and static animal model, and rats in combined group underwent resection of both cervical muscles and ovaries as kidney deficiency model. Serum and cervical intervertebral discs were collected. Kidney deficiency was determined by observing the morphologic changes of uterus and appendages, detecting the weight of uterus and appendages and the content of serum estradiol (E(2)). The degeneration of intervertebral discs was determined by detecting the histopathology, the expressions of type II collagen and type X collagen proteins, and the expressions of aggrecan-1 (Agc1), type II procollagen gene (Col2a1), matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) mRNAs. RESULTS: Compared with those in the normal control group and CS group, the rats in the combined group were noted with the uterus atrophied, the caliber of oviduct thinned, the weight of uterus and appendages diminished obviously, the content of serum E(2) decreased, cervical intervertebral disc degenerated more seriously, type II collagen protein expression decreased, type X collagen protein expression increased, Agc1 and Col2a1 mRNA expressions in intervertebral disc decreased, and the MMP-13 mRNA expression increased. CONCLUSION: The rat model of CS with kidney deficiency is established. Kidney deficiency can aggravate cervical intervertebral disc degeneration.

To establish a rat model of cervical syndrome with qi deficiency, blood stasis and kidney deficiency.

Objective: To track and investigate the changes in visual acuity of primary and secondary school students in Henan Province during the COVID-19 pandemic home confinement, so as to provide theoretical basis for the prevention and control of myopia. Methods: A cohort study design was employed for this research. In September 2019, visual acuity tests were conducted among 2 222 primary and secondary school students by Multi stage random cluster sampling method from four cities in Henan Province, including Zhengzhou, Xinxiang, Zhoukou, and Pingdingshan. A follow up study was conducted in June 2020, with on site visual acuity tests and questionnaire surveys. Wilcoxon rank sum test, Kruskal Wallis rank sum test, Chi square test, one way analysis of variance, and multiple linear regression model were used to analyze the changes in visual acuity of primary and secondary school students and the influencing factors from 2019 to 2020. Results: Compared with 2019, the overall myopia rate of students increased in 2020, and the difference was statistically significant (55.7%, 64.9%, χ 2=1 035.91, P <0.01), and the difference between mild, moderate and severe myopia rates occurred at 2 years (2019:32.4%, 18.8%, 4.4%, 2020:36.7%, 22.5%, 5.7%, χ 2= 8.43, 9.23, 3.94, P <0.05). The myopia incidence rate of primary and secondary school students in 2020 was 28.3%. As presented in multiple linear regression analysis, middle school, grade 4th-6th and grade 1st-3rd of primary school, low economic level, using television for online classes, the study desk being not bright on sunny days, without looking far away during breaks, the brightness of the study desk and desktop which was average on sunny days, and using roof lamp only when studying at night were associated with myopia progression among students ( B=-0.16, -0.18, -0.20, -0.06, -0.21, -0.13, -0.11, -0.40, P <0.05). Conclusions During 2019-2020, primary and secondary school students in Henan Province experience a progression towards myopia, which is comprehensively influenced by education stage, economic level, the habit of using eyes, and visual environment. Myopia prevention and control should be actively intervened and strengthened to improve the eye environment for primary and secondary school students, in order to slow down the development of myopia.

Objective:To evaluate the association between the use of emergency medical services (EMS) and the severity of disease among patients admitted to the emergency room, to analyze the characteristics of the patients, and to build prediction model providing evidence-based use of EMS resources.Methods:The data of patients admitted to the Emergency Room of the First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China from January 2020 to July 2021 were extracted from the Chinese Emergency Triage Assessment and Treatment (CETAT) database. Patients were divided into the EMS use group (AB+ group) and self-seeing group (AB-group) according to whether they used EMS. The patients’ general condition, vital signs and laboratory tests results were recorded. The severity of patients’ condition was judged based on whether the patient was admitted to the department of critical medicine, specialized care unit, emergency operation and/or emergency percutaneous intervention. A 9-variable model that did not require laboratory inspection and 22-variable model that required laboratory inspection were established to correct the propensity score to analyze the correlation between the severity of disease and the EMS use. In the subgroup analysis, the correlation between the EMS use and severity of the patients was analyzed according to the reason of the patient’s visit.Results:During the study period, 16 489 patients were admitted to the emergency room, and 6975 patients were finally enrolled in this study. There were 2768 patients (39.7%) in the AB+ group and 4207 patients (60.3%) in the AB-group. In the AB+ group 522 patients (18.9%) were in high risk, and in the AB-group 563 patients (13.4%) were in high risk. Compared with the AB-group, patients in the AB+ group were older and had a higher proportion of coma, a faster autonomic heart rate, and a lower diastolic blood pressure and peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO 2). In the 9-variable model, sex, consciousness, temperature, heart rate and diastolic blood pressure were associated with the EMS use. In the 22-variable model, consciousness, SpO 2, neutrophils, and albumin were the relevant factors for patients using EMS. Before the correction of propensity score, the EMS use was an independent risk factor for critically ill patients ( OR=1.5, 95% CI 1.32-1.72, P<0.001). After adjusted using 9-variable propensity score, the EMS use ratio decreased significantly compared with that without correction ( OR=1.24,95% CI 1.08-1.42, P<0.001). Interestingly, after adjusted with propensity score match with 22-variable model, there was no association between the severity of disease and t the EMS use ( OR=1.10,95% CI 0.95-1.28, P=0.195). In subgroup analysis, patients’ chief complaint of central nervous system, cardiovascular system, and trauma were the top three reasons at admission. Before the propensity score correction, the EMS calling patients with chief complaint of central nervous system, digestive system, and trauma were related to the severity of the patients. After adjusted with 9-variable model the EMS use was associated with the severity of the disease only in trauma patients, and after adjusted with 22-variable model there was no statistical difference considering the severity of the disease in all subgroups. Conclusions:The EMS use is common. However, the association of the EMS use with the severity of disease is decreased with variable models using propensity score. These findings indicate that the EMS use should be based on multivariable models, which may be important in detecting critically ill patients, optimizing the EMS use, and avoiding unnecessary call in the future.