The accumulation of uremic toxins such as urea nitrogen, blood creatinine, and uric acid of patients with renal failure in vivo would lead to aggravated kidney damage. In this study, coated aldehyde oxy-starch (CAO) was used as an adsorbent to investigate its in vitro adsorption performance on renal failure indexes for urea, indoxyl sulfate (INS), monomethylamine (MMA), dimethylamine (DMA), uric acid (UA), and creatinine (Cr). The effects of variables such as pH, temperature, concentration, dosage, and time on the adsorption capacity of CAO were systematically investigated, employing analytical techniques of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography (GC). The results revealed that CAO exhibited a strong adsorption capacity for urea, INS, and MMA, alongside a moderate adsorption capacity for DMA, UA, and Cr. The adsorption kinetics and thermodynamic studies indicated that the adsorption of urea and UA by CAO were fitted in pseudo-first-order kinetics, and the adsorption isotherm aligned with the Freundlich adsorption model. The enthalpy change ΔH of urea in adsorption was in the range of 40 to 60 kJ·mol^-1, which demonstrated the presence of strong adsorption force due to the interactions of coordinating groups. The ΔH of UA was greater than 80 kJ·mol^-1, indicating the generation of chemical bonds during the adsorption. Both of them, Gibbs free energy ΔG was less than 0, within the range of -20 to 0 kJ·mol^-1, suggested that the adsorption of urea and UA by CAO occurred spontaneously as physical adsorption process. The adsorption entropy ΔS of urea and UA was > 0, which indicated an increase in entropy throughout the adsorption. The infrared spectroscopygram showed the formation of a chemical bond, specifically the imine bond, following the adsorption of urea by CAO, thereby indicating a chemical reaction during the adsorption. This study elucidates the adsorption mechanism of CAO on various indexes of renal failure, providing a scientific basis for its clinical usage.

Objective To explore the application effect of disinfection-oriented bundle management mode of envi-ronmental cleaning and disinfection quality management of intensive care unit(ICU).Methods The bundle mana-gement mode was used to intervene the cleaning and disinfection of ICU environment.January-December 2022 and January-December 2023 were classified as pre-and post-intervention periods respectively.The awareness rate of dis-infection knowledge,monitoring results of environmental hygiene,detection of MDRO and healthcare-associated in-fection(HAI)of patients before and after intervention were compared.Results The awareness rates of disinfection knowledge and the clearance rate of fluorescent labeling on frequently-touched environmental surface increased from 68.58％and 78.45％(pre-intervention)to 88.45％and 96.44％(post-intervention),respectively,both with sta-tistical significance(both P＜0.05).The qualification rates of bacterial culture from frequently-touched environ-mental surface and hands of healthcare workers(HCWs)increased from 70.63％and 87.90％(pre-intervention)to 88.36％and 94.15％(post-intervention),respectively,both with statistical significance(both P＜0.05).The de-tection rates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA)and carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter bau-mannii(CRAB)from frequently-touched environmental surface were 0.49％and 1.46％(pre-intervention),as well as 0 and 0.27％(post-intervention),respectively,both with statistical significance(both P＜0.05).The inci-dences of HAI(4.97％)and CRAB HAI(0.77％)post-intervention were lower than pre-intervention(7.46％and 1.62％,respectively),differences were both statistically significant(both P＜0.05).Conclusion Intervention in environmental cleaning and disinfection of ICU with bundle management mode can effectively improve the effect of cleaning and disinfection in ICU,enhance cleaners'awareness on disinfection prevention and control,decrease the detection rates of MRSA and CRAB,reduce the risk of HAI,and ensure medical safety.

[Objective]To explore the diagnostic value of conventional ultrasound combined with shear wave elastography (SWE) for sarcopenia in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).[Methods]The study included 94 CKD patients (34 with sarcopenia and 60 without). All patient underwent the Simplified Assessment Rating Questionnaire (SARC-CalF),Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA),Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB),grip strength test,bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA),conventional muscle ultrasound and SWE of the thighs. We then compared the differences in indicators between the sarcopenia group and non-sarcopenia group,used Spearman correlation analysis to assess the relationship between the two examinations (conventional ultrasound and SWE) and other clinical indicators,identified the diagnostic markers for sarcopenia,created receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves,calculated the area under the curve (AUC) and determined the diagnostic performance of conventional ultrasound,SWE and their combination. Binary logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of sarcopenia in CKD patients and a combined diagnosis model was established.[Results]The sarcopenia group showed lower upper arm circumference,calf circumference,6-meter walking speed and handgrip strength than non-sarcopenia group,and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). The sarcopenia group exhibited lower SARC-CalF and SPBB scores,as well as more compromised nutritional status. Statistically significant differences were observed in the ultrasound parameters between the two groups,including thickness of the subcutaneous fat and rectus femoris,combined thickness of the rectus femoris and vastus intermedius,rectus femoris cross-sectional area,elastic modulus of the rectus femoris and vastus medialis (all P<0.05). The muscle mass index had a moderate positive correlation with muscle thickness and cross-sectional area of the rectus femoris (0.3

Objective: To investigate the toxicity of tris (2-chloropropyl) phosphate (TCIPP) and tributyl phosphate (TnBP) on the growth and development of zebrafish embryos, as well as to explore the underlying mechanisms at the transcriptional level. Methods: With zebrafish as a model, two hpf zebrafish embryos were exposed to TCIPP and TnBP (0.1, 1, 10, 100, 500, and 1 000 μmol/L) using the semi-static method, and their rates of lethality and hatchability were determined. The transcriptome changes of 120 hpf juvenile zebrafish exposed to environmentally relevant concentrations of 0.1 and 1 μmol/L were measured. Results: The 50% lethal concentrations (LC₅₀) of TCIPP and TnBP for zebrafish embryos were 155.30 and 27.62 μmol/L (96 hpf), 156.5 and 26.05 μmol/L (120 hpf), respectively. The 72 hpf hatching rates of TCIPP (100 μmol/L) and TnBP (10 μmol/L) were (23.33±7.72)% and (91.67±2.97)%, which were significantly decreased compared with the control group (P<0.05). Transcriptome analysis showed that TnBP had more differential genes (DEGs) than TCIPP, with a dose-response relationship. These DEGs were enriched in 32 pathways in total, including those involved in oxidative stress, energy metabolism, lipid metabolism, and nuclear receptor-related pathways, using the IPA pathway analysis. Among them, three enriched pathways overlapped between TCIPP and TnBP, including TR/RXR activation and CAR/RXR activation. Additionally, DEGs were also mapped onto pathways of LXR/RXR activation and oxidative stress for TnBP exposure only. Conclusion: Both TCIPP and TnBP have growth and developmental toxicities in zebrafish embryos, with distinct biomolecular mechanisms, and TnBP has a stronger effect than TCIPP.
Animals ; Zebrafish/metabolism* ; Embryo, Nonmammalian/metabolism* ; Transcriptome ; Oxidative Stress ; Water Pollutants, Chemical/metabolism*

Objective: This cross-sectional investigation aimed to determine the incidence, clinical characteristics, prognosis, and related risk factors of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain in mainland China. Methods: Data of patients with SARS-CoV-2 from December 28, 2022, to February 21, 2023, were collected through online and offline questionnaires from 45 tertiary hospitals and one center for disease control and prevention in mainland China. The questionnaire included demographic information, previous health history, smoking and alcohol drinking, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, olfactory and gustatory function before and after infection, other symptoms after infection, as well as the duration and improvement of olfactory and gustatory dysfunction. The self-reported olfactory and gustatory functions of patients were evaluated using the Olfactory VAS scale and Gustatory VAS scale. Results: A total of 35 566 valid questionnaires were obtained, revealing a high incidence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain (67.75%). Females(χ2=367.013, P<0.001) and young people(χ2=120.210, P<0.001) were more likely to develop these dysfunctions. Gender(OR=1.564, 95%CI: 1.487-1.645), SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status (OR=1.334, 95%CI: 1.164-1.530), oral health status (OR=0.881, 95%CI: 0.839-0.926), smoking history (OR=1.152, 95%CI=1.080-1.229), and drinking history (OR=0.854, 95%CI: 0.785-0.928) were correlated with the occurrence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to SARS-CoV-2(above P<0.001). 44.62% (4 391/9 840) of the patients who had not recovered their sense of smell and taste also suffered from nasal congestion, runny nose, and 32.62% (3 210/9 840) suffered from dry mouth and sore throat. The improvement of olfactory and taste functions was correlated with the persistence of accompanying symptoms(χ2=10.873, P=0.001). The average score of olfactory and taste VAS scale was 8.41 and 8.51 respectively before SARS-CoV-2 infection, but decreased to3.69 and 4.29 respectively after SARS-CoV-2 infection, and recovered to 5.83and 6.55 respectively at the time of the survey. The median duration of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions was 15 days and 12 days, respectively, with 0.5% (121/24 096) of patients experiencing these dysfunctions for more than 28 days. The overall self-reported improvement rate of smell and taste dysfunctions was 59.16% (14 256/24 096). Gender(OR=0.893, 95%CI: 0.839-0.951), SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status (OR=1.334, 95%CI: 1.164-1.530), history of head and facial trauma(OR=1.180, 95%CI: 1.036-1.344, P=0.013), nose (OR=1.104, 95%CI: 1.042-1.171, P=0.001) and oral (OR=1.162, 95%CI: 1.096-1.233) health status, smoking history(OR=0.765, 95%CI: 0.709-0.825), and the persistence of accompanying symptoms (OR=0.359, 95%CI: 0.332-0.388) were correlated with the recovery of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to SARS-CoV-2 (above P<0.001 except for the indicated values). Conclusion: The incidence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain is high in mainland China, with females and young people more likely to develop these dysfunctions. Active and effective intervention measures may be required for cases that persist for a long time. The recovery of olfactory and taste functions is influenced by several factors, including gender, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status, history of head and facial trauma, nasal and oral health status, smoking history, and persistence of accompanying symptoms.
Female ; Humans ; Adolescent ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Smell ; COVID-19/complications* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; COVID-19 Vaccines ; Incidence ; Olfaction Disorders/etiology* ; Taste Disorders/etiology* ; Prognosis

This study retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 28 male patients with urethral stricture who had complications during urethrography, including 14 cases of infection, 8 cases of urethral bleeding, 5 cases of contrast agent hypersensitivity, and 1 case of bladder rupture. The infection manifested as acute cystitis in 11 cases, acute pyelonephritis in 1 case, acute epididymitis in 1 case, and sepsis in 1 case. Hypersensitivity reaction was mild in 3 cases, moderate and severe in 2 cases. A child with bladder rupture was immediately transferred to open surgery for bladder repair. All patients were cured by corresponding treatment. The complications of urethrography have various manifestations and different degrees of severity, so we should pay attention to prevention and proper treatment.

Aim To investigate the protective effect of oxymatrine (OMT) on vascular endothelial cell injury induced by palmitic acid ( PA) and its mechanism. Methods Cell viability was detected by MTT assay. Cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry. The levels of oxygen species ( ROS) in cells, and lactate de-hydrogenase, malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) , glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) and nitric oxide ( NO) in cell culture medium were detected by ELISA. The protein expressions of bcl-2, bax, caspase-3, Akt and eNOS in HUVECs were detected by Western blot. Results OMT significantly inhibited PA-induced decrease in cell viability and increase in level of LDH in HUVECs. OMT also significantly inhibited PA-induced increase in cell apoptosis, and up-regulated the protein expression ratio of bcl-2/ bax and down-regulated the protein expression of caspase-3. In addition, OMT reduced the levels of ROS and MDA, and increased the levels of SOD, GSH-Px and NO in cell-culture medium treated with PA. Furthermore, OMT increased the protein phospho-rylation of Akt and eNOS in injured cells. Conclusion OMT ameliorates PA-induced vascular endothelial cell injury through Akt-eNOS-NO signaling pathway.

Objective: To explore the distribution patterns of cardiometabolic diseases (CMD) in elderly patients with colorectal cancer, and provide a reference for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular metabolic diseases in these patients. Methods: Clinical data of 3 894 elderly patients with colorectal cancer from January 2008 to March 2018 admitted in the Chinese PLA General Hospital were recruited and the incidence rate of CMD was retrospectively analyzed. The influence factors of elderly patients with colorectal cancer combined with CMD were analyzed by multivariate Logistic regression model. Results: The morbidity rate of CMD in elderly patients with colorectal cancer is 33.4% (1 301/3 894), among them, the morbidity rate of the male was 31.9% (768/2 409), and that of the female was 35.9% (533/1 485). There was not significant difference between these two sex (P=0.074). The morbidity rates of CMD in patients of 65-74 years, 75-84 years and ≥85 years were 30.6% (754/2 462), 37.0% (479/1 294) and 49.3% (68/138), respectively, with significant differences (P<0.001). Multiple Logistic regression analysis revealed that female (OR=1.213, 95%CI: 1.056-1.394), age (75-84 years group: OR=1.344, 95%CI: 1.164-1.552; ≥85 years group: OR=2.345, 95%CI: 1.651-3.331) and body mass index (BMI 18.5-24.9 kg/m(2) group: OR=1.319, 95%CI: 1.065-1.638; ≥25 kg/m(2) group: OR=2.041, 95%CI: 1.627-2.561) were independent risk factors for elderly colorectal cancer patients with CMD. Conclusion: The morbidity rate of CMD in elderly patients with colorectal cancer increases with age and it is urgent to strengthen multidisciplinary cooperation and develop reasonable treatment plans to extend the survival and life quality of these patients.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; China/epidemiology* ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors

Spinal cord stimulation (SCS)-induced analgesia was characterized, and its underlying mechanisms were examined in a spared nerve injury model of neuropathic pain in rats. The analgesic effect of SCS with moderate mechanical hypersensitivity was increased with increasing stimulation intensity between the 20% and 80% motor thresholds. Various frequencies (2, 15, 50, 100, 10000 Hz, and 2/100 Hz dense-dispersed) of SCS were similarly effective. SCS-induced analgesia was maintained without tolerance within 24 h of continuous stimulation. SCS at 2 Hz significantly increased methionine enkephalin content in the cerebrospinal fluid. The analgesic effect of 2 Hz was abolished by μ or κ opioid receptor antagonist. The effect of 100 Hz was prevented by a κ antagonist, and that of 10 kHz was blocked by any of the μ, δ, or κ receptor antagonists, suggesting that the analgesic effect of SCS at different frequencies is mediated by different endorphins and opioid receptors.
Analgesics ; Animals ; Narcotic Antagonists/pharmacology* ; Neuralgia/therapy* ; Opioid Peptides ; Rats ; Receptors, Opioid/physiology* ; Receptors, Opioid, kappa ; Spinal Cord ; Spinal Cord Stimulation