Background/Aims: Liver transplantation is the most effective treatment for the sickest patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF). However, the influence of donor age on liver transplantation, especially in ACLF patients, is still unclear. Methods: In this study, we used the data of the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients. We included patients with ACLF who received liver transplantation from January 1, 2007, to December 31, 2017, and the total number was 13,857. We allocated the ACLF recipients by age intogroup I (donor age ≤17 years, n=647); group II (donor age 18–59 years, n=11,423); and group III (donor age ≥60 years, n=1,787). Overall survival (OS), graft survival, and mortality were com-pared among the three age groups and the four ACLF grades. Cox regression was also analyzed. Results: The 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS rates were 89.6%, 85.5%, and 82.0% in group I; 89.4%, 83.4%, and 78.2% in group II; and 86.8%, 78.4%, and 71.4% in group III, respectively (p<0.001).When we analyzed the different effects of donor age on OS with different ACLF grades, in groupsII and III, we observed statistical differences. Finally, the cubic spline curve told us that the relative death rate changed linearly with increasing donor age. Conclusions Donor age is related to OS and graft survival of ACLF patients after transplanta-tion, and poorer results were associated with elderly donors. In addition, different donor ages have different effects on recipients with different ACLF grades.

Objective To analyze the status and risk factors of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection in permanent residents in a certain area. Methods The clinical data of 6 792 permanent residents surveyed from January 2021 to December 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. All subjects underwent 13C-urea breath test，and relevant general information was collected to analyze Hp infection status. According to whether Hp infection occurred, they were divided into positive group (n=4 283) and negative group (n=2 509). The differences in general information, living habits, and dietary habits between the two groups of subjects were analyzed, and multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted. Results Among the 6 792 permanent residents surveyed from January 2021 to December 2023, 4283 were positive for 13C-urea breath test, accounting for 63.05% of the total. There were statistically significant differences in age distribution, gender, BMI, tableware cleaning, personal hygiene products use, chopsticks use, and raw food and vegetable cleaning between the positive group and the negative group (P<0.05). The single factors of Hp infection were substituted into multivariate logistic regression analysis equation, and it was found that age ≥45 years old, male, BMI≥24, no use of detergents to clean utensils, sharing personal hygiene products, not using public chopsticks, having a habit of eating raw food, and not cleaning vegetables before eating were independent risk factors for Hp infection. Conclusion The positive rate of Hp infection in this area is relatively high, and the infection factors are related to age, gender, and some lifestyle and dietary habits.

Background/Aims: Liver transplantation is the most effective treatment for the sickest patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF). However, the influence of donor age on liver transplantation, especially in ACLF patients, is still unclear. Methods: In this study, we used the data of the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients. We included patients with ACLF who received liver transplantation from January 1, 2007, to December 31, 2017, and the total number was 13,857. We allocated the ACLF recipients by age intogroup I (donor age ≤17 years, n=647); group II (donor age 18–59 years, n=11,423); and group III (donor age ≥60 years, n=1,787). Overall survival (OS), graft survival, and mortality were com-pared among the three age groups and the four ACLF grades. Cox regression was also analyzed. Results: The 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS rates were 89.6%, 85.5%, and 82.0% in group I; 89.4%, 83.4%, and 78.2% in group II; and 86.8%, 78.4%, and 71.4% in group III, respectively (p<0.001).When we analyzed the different effects of donor age on OS with different ACLF grades, in groupsII and III, we observed statistical differences. Finally, the cubic spline curve told us that the relative death rate changed linearly with increasing donor age. Conclusions Donor age is related to OS and graft survival of ACLF patients after transplanta-tion, and poorer results were associated with elderly donors. In addition, different donor ages have different effects on recipients with different ACLF grades.

Background/Aims: Liver transplantation is the most effective treatment for the sickest patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF). However, the influence of donor age on liver transplantation, especially in ACLF patients, is still unclear. Methods: In this study, we used the data of the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients. We included patients with ACLF who received liver transplantation from January 1, 2007, to December 31, 2017, and the total number was 13,857. We allocated the ACLF recipients by age intogroup I (donor age ≤17 years, n=647); group II (donor age 18–59 years, n=11,423); and group III (donor age ≥60 years, n=1,787). Overall survival (OS), graft survival, and mortality were com-pared among the three age groups and the four ACLF grades. Cox regression was also analyzed. Results: The 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS rates were 89.6%, 85.5%, and 82.0% in group I; 89.4%, 83.4%, and 78.2% in group II; and 86.8%, 78.4%, and 71.4% in group III, respectively (p<0.001).When we analyzed the different effects of donor age on OS with different ACLF grades, in groupsII and III, we observed statistical differences. Finally, the cubic spline curve told us that the relative death rate changed linearly with increasing donor age. Conclusions Donor age is related to OS and graft survival of ACLF patients after transplanta-tion, and poorer results were associated with elderly donors. In addition, different donor ages have different effects on recipients with different ACLF grades.

Background/Aims: Liver transplantation is the most effective treatment for the sickest patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF). However, the influence of donor age on liver transplantation, especially in ACLF patients, is still unclear. Methods: In this study, we used the data of the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients. We included patients with ACLF who received liver transplantation from January 1, 2007, to December 31, 2017, and the total number was 13,857. We allocated the ACLF recipients by age intogroup I (donor age ≤17 years, n=647); group II (donor age 18–59 years, n=11,423); and group III (donor age ≥60 years, n=1,787). Overall survival (OS), graft survival, and mortality were com-pared among the three age groups and the four ACLF grades. Cox regression was also analyzed. Results: The 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS rates were 89.6%, 85.5%, and 82.0% in group I; 89.4%, 83.4%, and 78.2% in group II; and 86.8%, 78.4%, and 71.4% in group III, respectively (p<0.001).When we analyzed the different effects of donor age on OS with different ACLF grades, in groupsII and III, we observed statistical differences. Finally, the cubic spline curve told us that the relative death rate changed linearly with increasing donor age. Conclusions Donor age is related to OS and graft survival of ACLF patients after transplanta-tion, and poorer results were associated with elderly donors. In addition, different donor ages have different effects on recipients with different ACLF grades.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) serves as a treasure trove of ancient knowledge, holding a crucial position in the medical field. However, the exploration of TCM's extensive information has been hindered by challenges related to data standardization, completeness, and accuracy, primarily due to the decentralized distribution of TCM resources. To address these issues, we developed a platform for TCM knowledge discovery (TCMKD, https://cbcb.cdutcm.edu.cn/TCMKD/). Seven types of data, including syndromes, formulas, Chinese patent drugs (CPDs), Chinese medicinal materials (CMMs), ingredients, targets, and diseases, were manually proofread and consolidated within TCMKD. To strengthen the integration of TCM with modern medicine, TCMKD employs analytical methods such as TCM data mining, enrichment analysis, and network localization and separation. These tools help elucidate the molecular-level commonalities between TCM and contemporary scientific insights. In addition to its analytical capabilities, a quick question and answer (Q&A) system is also embedded within TCMKD to query the database efficiently, thereby improving the interactivity of the platform. The platform also provides a TCM text annotation tool, offering a simple and efficient method for TCM text mining. Overall, TCMKD not only has the potential to become a pivotal repository for TCM, delving into the pharmacological foundations of TCM treatments, but its flexible embedded tools and algorithms can also be applied to the study of other traditional medical systems, extending beyond just TCM.

ObjectiveTo develop a scientifically rigorous and contextually appropriate instrument for evaluating the health service experience of pulmonary tuberculosis patients in China, to enable systematic assessment of core medical care dimensions, and to provide quantitative evidence for service improvement. MethodsGrounded in the theoretical framework of healthcare accessibility and the clinical care pathway for tuberculosis patients, the tool was developed through a systematic literature review and the Delphi expert consultation method. A multi-stage cluster sampling strategy was employed to survey pulmonary tuberculosis patients who had been receiving treatment for more than two months, aimed to explore the scale’s applicability in real-world settings. Reliability was assessed using Cronbach’s α and split-half reliability coefficients. Validity was evaluated through content validity, structural validity, convergent validity, and discriminant validity. ResultsThe tool was composed of 21 items across four dimensions: awareness, accessibility, affordability, and acceptability of tuberculosis medical care. It demonstrated a Cronbach’s α coefficient of 0.838 and a split-half reliability coefficient of 0.859. Exploratory factor analyses extracted six factors: satisfaction with healthcare services, supportive role of nurses, affordability of treatment costs, doctor-patient communication, waiting time for medical appointments, and transportation cost. The goodness-of-fit index (GFI) and other indices met the recommended standards, with the loading matrix indicating robust structural validity of the tool. The constructed factor model exhibited satisfactory content validity and discriminant validity. ConclusionThe scale for assessing patients’ experiences with tuberculosis-related medical care developed in this study demonstrates good reliability and validity and serves as a practical tool for evaluating patient experiences of tuberculosis medical care in China.

Objective:To investigate the relationship between adiponectin (ADIPOQ) gene polymorphism and postpartum type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).Methods:A retrospective study was conducted on 236 GDM postpartum women admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical College from June 2020 to June 2021 as observation subjects. They were divided into a T2DM group and a non T2DM group based on the occurrence of T2DM after delivery. The clinical data of the two groups were compared. The double deoxygenation end termination method was used to detect the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of the ADIPOQ gene, and the four loci rs17366568, rs822395, rs1501299, and rs2241766 were classified. The relationship between ADIPOQ genotype polymorphism and postpartum T2DM was analyzed using a logistic regression model.Results:The G allele carrying the rs2241766 locus in ADIPOQ gene was negatively correlated with the occurrence of T2DM ( OR=0.71, 0.68, P<0.05). Compared with T2DM patients with TT genotype, the GT+ GG genotype at the rs2241766 locus had a lower risk of occurrence for gestational age ≥2 and HbA 1c>85%. Similarly, T2DM patients with pre pregnancy body mass index (BMI)>25 kg/m 2 were more likely to be carriers of the rs2241766 TT genotype ( P=0.026). The (GT+ TT) genotype carrying the T allele at the rs1501299 locus was a protective factor for gestational age and HbA 1c in T2DM patients. Conclusions:The rs2241766 and rs1501299 polymorphisms of the ADIPOQ gene are associated with susceptibility to postpartum T2DM in GDM women. Individuals with rs2241766 and rs1501299 mutant genotypes belong to the high-risk population for T2DM.

Gynecological cancer significantly affect the health of women.This review aimed to describe the global patterns and trends in the survival of patients with gynecological cancers.We searched PubMed,Embase,Web of Science,SinoMed,and SEER for survival analyses of cancer registration data of cervical,endometrial,and ovarian cancers published between 1980 and 2022.Globally,the highest 5-year observed survival rate for cervical cancer was 76.5%in Anshan,Liaoning,China(2008-2017).The 5-year observed survival rates of endometrial and ovarian cancers were higher in Finland(1995-1999,82.5%)and Singapore(1988-1992,62.0%).The 5-year relative survival rate of cervical cancer patients was higher in Haining,Zhejiang,China(2011-2014,85.8%).Korea ranked first at 89.0%and 64.5%for endometrial and ovarian cancers,respectively.Survival rates have improved for cervical,endometrial,and ovarian cancers.Patients aged≥75 years and those with advanced-stage disease had the worst 5-year survival rates.Survival rates were better for squamous cell carcinoma in cervical cancer,for endometrial carcinoma and mucinous adenocarcinoma in endometrial cancer,and for germ cell and sex-cord stromal tumors in ovarian cancer.Over the past four decades,the survival rates of gynecological cancers have increased globally,with notable increases in cervical and endometrial cancers.Survival rates are higher in developed countries,with a slow-growing trend.Future studies should focus on improving survival,especially in ovarian cancer patients.

Objective:To understand the trend in the disease burden of tuberculosis in the BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) from 1990 to 2019, forecast the incidence of tuberculosis in the BRICS countries from 2020 to 2030.Methods:This study used data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 to describe the incidence trends from 1990 to 2019 and epidemiological characteristics of tuberculosis in the BRICS countries. The Bayesian-age- period-cohort model was used to predict the incidence of tuberculosis in the BRICS countries from 2020 to 2030.Results:Although the age-standardized incidence rates (ASIR) of tuberculosis were on the decline in all BRICS countries, the magnitude of the decline varied, with the most significant decline in China and the least in South Africa. In 2019, there were gender and age differences in the incidence of tuberculosis in all BRICS countries. Except for South Africa, the ASIR in males were higher than that in females and except for South Africa and Russia, the incidence rates of tuberculosis showed an increasing trend with age in all BRICS countries. From 2020 to 2030, the incidence rates of tuberculosis in the BRICS countries were projected to be declining, except it was likely to increase among women in Russia. However, the expected decrease of tuberculosis incidence in the BRICS countries by 2030 would be less than 80% as compared to that of 2015.Conclusions:Positive results have been achieved in the prevention and treatment of tuberculosis in BRICS countries. But the situation is still serious, with demographic differences in the incidence of tuberculosis in different countries.