Objective To evaluate the quality of life and influenced factors in epileptic adults. Methods 106 adults with epilepsy and 64 healthy people as control were studied and tested by using QOLIE-30.Results Compared with control group, QOL score was lower in epileptic group (54?16 vs 77?15). Worrying about the seizure attacks and side effect of antiepileptic medication, having memory problems, they are unsatisfied with their lives, in a blue mood, easy to be tired and their social activities are limited. Comparing the QOL of patients between different sexes, duration of seizure, AEDs taken and seizure frequency, it was found that their medication and seizure frequency play an important role. QOL was negatively associated with the number of the AEDs taken and their seizure frequency.Conclusion QOL was lower in epileptic adults. Medication and seizure frequency play an important role. Adequate medications to control the attack of seizures is a key to improve the quality of life in epileptic patients.

Objective To observe the effects of herbal compound in reinforcing the kidney for activating blood and arousing consciousness(HCRAA) on the ABR threshold and the expression of neurotrophic factor 3(NT-3) of the cochlea of gentamicin (GM)-induced ototoxic mice.Methods 40 mice were randomly divided into normal group,model group,and high,middle and low concentration HCRAA groups.Normal group received no treatment.The model group and the HCRAA groups were intraperitoneally injected with GM 100mg/kg per day for consecutive 15 days.At the same time,the model group and the HCRAA groups respectively receiveded normal saline and high,middle and low concentration Chinese medical formula decoction at the same dosage by garage for consecutive 20 days.After the experiment,the mice were tested ABR.The expression of NT-3 of the cochlea in mice was detected by western blot.Results HCRAA at high and middle concentration reduced the GM elevated ABR threshold(P＜0.01),and increased the expression of NT-3 in the cochlea(P＜0.01).Conclusion HCRAA may effectively reduce the elevated ABR threshold induced by gentamycin by protecting GM damaged cochlear hair cell and neurons and increasing the expression of NT-3 in the cochlea.

Objective To study the correlation of the serum insulin-like growth factor-1(IGF-1) level and the radioactive iodine uptake rate in patients with nodular goiter,to explore a simple and saftymethods of identifying different kinds of thyroid nodule.Methods Sixty diagnosed cases was selected intohot nodule group(30 cases)and cool nodule group(30 cases),and 30 healthy people were selected into thehealthy control group.Measured the IGF-1,FT3,FT4,TSH level of each group by radioimmunoassay,and measured the radioactive iodine uptake rate by radionuclear technique.Results To compare with healthy control group,the levels of serum IGF-1,FT3,FT4 and the radioactive iodine uptake rate of hot nodule group were increased obviously,but the serum TSH was decreased significantly,and the level of IGF-1 had positive correhtion with the radioactive iodine uptake rate(r=0.835)in the same group.Meanwhile,the 1 evel of IGF-1 had negative correlation with the level of TSH(r=-0.326).In cool nodule group,the levels of serum IGF-1,FT3,FT4,TSH had no significant difference oompared with healthy control group(P>0.05).Conclusion The level of IGF-1 and radioactive iodine uptake rate in patients with nodular goiter has certain correlation.

Objective To study the effects of using 25 kDa linear and branched PEI to transfer plasmid DNA pEGFP -C1 (pDNA ,encoding the enhanced green fluorescent protein reporter gene ) to the basilar membrane of the C57BL/6 mice cochlea in vitro .Methods L -PEI/pDNA and B -PEI/pDNA polyplexes were generated in 0 .1M phosphate buffer solution (PBS) or 5% glucose solution .Polyplexes were characterized by transmission electron mi-croscopy .Agarose gel retardation assay was used to determine the plasmid binding ability of L -PEI and B -PEI . The toxicity was investigated by MTT assay .The transfection was firstly evaluated in 293T cell line ,and then the appropriate amount of PEI and plasmid were applied for cochlear explant transfection of P4 mice pups .Results Un-der the same condition ,B -PEI had better transfection efficiency than L -PEI ,but its toxicity was also higher . When generated in PBS ,the polyplexes had lower toxicity than in glucose solution .L -PEI-pDNA nanoparticles could transfect the spiral limbus fibrocytes ,some spiral ganglion neurons and supporting cells ,but the efficiency was low .Conclusion L -PEI could be used as the non -viral vector for the transfection of the cultured basilar mem-brane of P4 mice pups ,but it should be modified to reach higher efficiency .

Objective Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disease, which mainly involves joints across the body, resulting in joint stiffness and loss of daily activity. Recent evidence suggests that numerous self-reacting T cells, including Th1 and Th17, infiltrate the synovium in RA patients, accompanied by functionally-compromised Treg. Iguratimod, a new small molecule with anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects, has shown curative effects in animal models of arthritis. In this study, we aimed to test the clinical effects of Iguratimodˊs on RA patients and its role in immunoregulation. Methods We examined the clinical effects of iguratimod on RA patients in a random controlled clinical trials and analyzed its effects on Th1, Th17 and Treg as well as their associated cytokines and transcription factors by flow cytometry and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Then t-test, chi-square test and rank sum test were used to conduct statistical analysis. Results Our results revealed that iguratimod therapy provided significantly greater clinical benefit [ACR20, ACR50, ACR70 reached 50%, 20%, 15% respectively in iguratimod treatment group, Z=-2.216,P=0.027] than placebo group with the reduction of Th1 and Th17 but increment of Treg after iguratimod treatment [Th1: week 0 (26.5 ±8.0)%, week 24 (14.2 ±7.3)%, P<0.01; Th17:week 0 (1.7±0.7)%, week 24 (1.3±0.4)%, P<0.05;Treg:week 0 (6.8±1.6)%, week 24 (8.9±2.9)%, P<0.05], which was statistically significant. Conclusion Our results provide theoretical and clinical based evidence for the impact of iguratimod on immunomodulation of RA.

Objective:To explore the application of failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) in low-energy X-ray intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT), analyze its potential risks in IORT, and preliminarily explore the feasibility of FMEA in optimizing IORT management and reducing the occurrence of potential risks.Methods:An FMEA working group was established by the IORT team (1 radiologist, 1 radiology physicist, 2 surgeons, and 2 nurses) to apply the FMEA methodology to conduct a systematic risk assessment. The process modules were established, the potential failure modes and causes for each module were analyzed, the severity (SR), frequency of occurrence (OR) and likelihood of detection (DR) of failure modes were scored and the risk priority number (RPN) was calculated: RPN= SR × OR × DR. The possible errors and potential clinical impact of each part of the radiotherapy process were prospectively analyzed and understood, the causes and current measures were analyzed for each failure mode and preventive measures were proposed and risk management measures were taken accordingly.Results:The IORT process was divided into 8 modules with 14 failure modes. The highest OR value was unsatisfactory target area confirmation (7 points), the highest SR value was equipment failure to discharge the beam (10 points), the highest DR value was wrong key entry after dose calculation (7 points), the highest RPN values were unsatisfactory target area confirmation (210 points) and ineffective protection of endangered organs (180 points). Weaknesses were corrected according to priorities, workflows were optimized and more effective management methods were developed.Conclusion:FMEA is an effective method of IORT management and contributes to reducing the occurrence of potential risks.

Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics and predictors of mortality in patients with candidemia in intensive care unit (ICU). Methods The patients with candidemia admitted to ICU of Peking University People's Hospital from January 2010 to December 2017 were enrolled. The general clinical data, indicators related to Candidia infection and prognosis were collected, and the clinical characteristics, infection characteristics and prognosis of patients with candidiasis were analyzed. Patients were divided into death group and survival group according to hospital survival status. The differences of each index were compared between two groups. The independent risk factors of mortality in patients with candidemia were analyzed by multivariate Logistic regression analysis. Results A total of 95 patients (55 males) with candidemia were included, with an average age of (69.3±16.5) years, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ (APACHE Ⅱ) was 24.7±3.6, sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) was 6.6±2.7. Candida albicans accounted for the largest proportion of Candida infections (n = 56, 58.9%). Thirty-two (33.7%) patients received inadequate antifungal therapy and 38 (40.0%) patients received inadequate source control. Fifty-five (57.9%) patients were died in hospital. Compared with the survival group, patients in the death group was older (years: 72.5±14.6 vs. 64.9±18.0, P < 0.05), had higher APACHEⅡ and SOFA scores (26.6±2.2 vs. 22.1±3.6, 7.9±2.0 vs. 4.7±2.4, both P ﹤ 0.01), higher rate of glucocorticoid treatment (18.2% vs. 10.0%, P < 0.05), and higher proportion of Candida albicans and Candida glabrata (69.1% vs. 45.0%, 10.9% vs. 7.5%, both P < 0.05), the rate of multi-site Candida infection also significantly increased (47.3% vs. 17.5%, P < 0.05). Intra-abdominal infection was the primary infection site and more common in death group (49.1% vs. 35.0%, P < 0.05). The rates of sepsis (87.3% vs. 62.5%), inadequate antifungal therapy (49.1% vs. 10.0%), inadequate source control (60.0% vs. 12.5%) in death group were all higher than those in survival group (all P < 0.01). It was shown by multivariate Logistic regression analysis that APACHE Ⅱ[odds ratio (OR) = 1.605, P = 0.002, β = 0.473], SOFA (OR = 1.501, P = 0.029, β = 0.406), inadequate antifungal therapy (OR = 12.084, P = 0.006, β = 2.492) and inadequate source control (OR = 7.332, P = 0.024, β = 1.992) were independent risk factors for mortality in ICU patients with candidemia. Conclusions Candidemia patients were severe and had poor prognosis. APACHE Ⅱ, SOFA, inadequate antifungal therapy and inadequate source control were independent risk factors of mortality.

Objective:To understand the breastfeeding situation in the neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in Qianxinan Prefecture, Guizhou Province, and to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of doctors and nurses regarding breastfeeding, aiming to provide foundational data for improving breastfeeding quality.Methods:A questionnaire was developed to survey the knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to breastfeeding in NICUs. The questionnaire was divided into three dimensions: knowledge (seven items, total score of 7), attitudes (nine items, total score of 45), and practices (seven items, total score of 35). Lower scores indicated weaker recognition of breastfeeding. Additionally, five items were included to identify the most influential factors affecting breastfeeding. From November 25 to November 30, 2023, a survey was conducted among doctors and nurses with professional qualifications who had worked in the neonatal departments of nine hospitals in Qianxinan Prefecture for at least one year. Independent sample t-tests and Chi-square tests were used to compare the scores of doctors and nurses from different levels of hospitals and within the same level of hospitals across the three dimensions. Results:(1) Among the nine hospitals, three were tertiary grade A hospitals (referred to as "tertiary hospitals"), with 95.6% (43/45) of the doctors and 96.5% (110/114) of the nurses participating in the survey. Six were secondary grade A hospitals (referred to as "secondary hospitals"), with 95.0% (38/40) of the doctors and 97.6% (83/85) of the nurses participating. (2) All nine hospitals were baby-friendly hospitals and all had breastfeeding promotional materials. Six hospitals had NICUs that promoted breastfeeding, with an average NICU breastfeeding rate of 25.8% across the prefecture between year 2021 to 2023. (3) The proportion of doctors who had received breastfeeding training was higher than that of nurses within the same level of hospitals [tertiary hospitals: 69.8% (30/43) vs. 40.0% (44/110), χ 2=10.97, P=0.001; secondary hospitals: 47.4% (18/38) vs. 24.1% (20/83), χ 2=6.55, P=0.010], although the overall training rates were low. (4) In tertiary hospitals, doctors scored higher than nurses in the attitude dimension [(35.35±4.75) vs. (33.18±5.60) scores, t=－2.03, P=0.044] and also in the practice dimension [(26.98±3.00) vs. (25.60±3.75) scores, t=－2.17, P=0.032]. In secondary hospitals, the total knowledge dimension score of doctors was higher than that of nurses [(4.92±1.44) vs. (4.20±1.45) scores, t=－2.52, P=0.013]. In tertiary hospitals, the total scores for attitude and practice dimensions of doctors were higher than those of doctors in secondary hospitals, and the total scores for knowledge, attitude, and practice dimensions of nurses were higher than those of nurses in secondary hospitals (all P<0.05). (5) In the knowledge dimension, the lowest scoring item of doctors in the tertiary hospitals was "Breastfeeding is possible for maternal hepatitis B newborns after receiving vaccines and immunoglobulin"; the lowest scoring item of nurses in the tertiary hospital, and doctors and nurses in the secondary hospitals was "The duration of breastfeeding has a greater impact on neonatal outcomes". In the attitude dimension, the lowest scoring item for doctors and nurses in both tertiary and secondary hospitals was "You think the breastfeeding process is more troublesome than feeding preterm formula". In the practice dimension, the lowest scoring item of the doctors and nurses in the tertiary hospitals was "Your hospital had enough breastfeeding knowledge training", while for the doctors and nurses in the secondary hospitals were "You have more opportunities to participate in various breastfeeding-related training" and "Breast feeding should be started as soon as possible when the infant is stable after active treatment", respectively. (6) The most influential factors affecting breastfeeding were: lack of cooperation from parents (50.0%, 137/274), relative insufficient human resources for doctors and nurses (21.9%, 60/274), and the absence or poor implementation of breastfeeding management policies (18.3%, 50/274), etc. Conclusions:The breastfeeding rate in NICU of county-level hospitals is relatively low, and medical staff, especially nurses, have insufficient knowledge about breastfeeding. It is necessary to strengthen various breastfeeding training for medical staff to enhance their understanding of NICU breastfeeding.

Objective To investigate the effect of a modified preputial flap urethroplasty in twostage treatment of severe hypospadias.Methods The clinical characteristics of the severe hypospadias patients (41 cases) who underwent the staged urethroplasty by using the procedure of preset urethral plate with preputial flap from January 2015 to December 2016 were analyzed retrospectively.We used a modified method (modified group,23 cases):Form the distal urethra with the transected distal urethral plate by using tubularize incised plate (TIP) procedure during the first stage operation,after completely straightened the penis,urethral plate was preseted with transverse preputial flap at the penis shaft.While in the traditional group (18 cases),urethral plate was preseted with preputial flap by using Bracka procedure after transecting urethral plate.The corresponding missing part of urethra underwent urethroplasty at the second stage operation six months later.The patients in the modified group were 9 to 18 months old,and the median age was 13 months;meatus were located at the penis shaft in 10 cases,scrotum in 12 cases,perineum in 1 case.The patients in the traditional group were 9 to 18 months old,and the median age was 13 months;meatus were located at the penis shaft in 6 cases,scrotum in 10 cases,and perineum in 2 cases.There was no statistic difference in age and meatus position between the two groups.Results During the first stage operation,distal urethra was repaired by 13-19 mm,with an average of (14.5 ± 1.3) mm,and the proximal urethra was repaired by 0-6 mm,with an average of (3.1 ± 2.4) mm at the modified group.While at the traditional group,the length of proximal urethra was repaired of 0-9 mm,with an average of (5.6:±:2.9) mm.The urethral length required for reconstruction was measured during the second stage operation,with an average of (26.3:t:4.4) mm in the modified group and (40.5 ± 3.3) mm in the traditional group (P ＜ 0.05).There were 3 case of urethral stricture after removed the catheter,with 2 cases in the modified group and 1 case in the traditional group.Postoperative follow-up was 2 to 3 years,with an average of 2.4 years.There were 3 cases (3/23,13.0％) of urethral fistula in the modified group and 3 cases (3/18,16.7％) in the traditional group.Ascended testis occured in 2 patients in the traditional group after operation.No case of urethrostenosis,diverticulum,chordee or concealed pennis was recorded.There was no significant difference in postoperative complications between the two groups (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions The modified staged preputial flap method shorten the new forming urethra by making full use of its own materials at the second stage operation,which was helpful to reduce complications.

OBJECTIVE: To study the risk factors and interaction of nasal septal perforation (NSP) in rats. METHOD: Animals (n=120) that underwent unilateral nasal obstruction using Merocel nasal packing or gelfoam with/without standard staphylococcus aureus inoculation were observed for the formation of NSP at 2, 3, 5, and 7 days after operation by endoscope system. Following sacrifice at 7 days, the obtained nasal secretions were prepared for bacterial culture. Experimental interventions were compared with normal controls (n=10). RESULT: Perforation of nasal septum was observed in 80% of the animals accepted nasal obstruction using Merocel nasal packing with standard staphylococcus aureus inoculation in 3 days (P < 0.01), while in 70% of those using abacterial Merocel nasal packing in 5 days (P < 0.05) and no significant difference than that of before (P > 0.05). There was a weak region in anteroinferior nasal septum in rats, which the almost NSPs located in. The position of NSP does not overlap Merocel. CONCLUSION The interaction of risk factors contributes to NSP. The occurrence of NSP mainly depends on the construction of nasal septum, while dysaemia is also necessary. Obstruction of nasal drainage and infection promote the development of NSP.
Animals ; Causality ; Disease Models, Animal ; Male ; Nasal Obstruction ; microbiology ; pathology ; Nasal Septal Perforation ; etiology ; Nasal Septum ; anatomy & histology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Risk Factors ; Staphylococcal Infections ; pathology