Objective To investigate the epidemiological characteristics and risk factors of hyperhomocysteinemia(HHcy)in military aircrew.Methods A retrospective study was conducted on 506 aircrew convalescents undergoing health examination from September 2023 to April 2024.Demographic,lifestyle,and biochemical data were analyzed.The risk factors of HHcy were identified by x2 test and multivariate Logistic regression.Results The HHcy detection rate was 21.94%(111/506),with a median homocysteine(Hcy)level of 11.75(9.70-14.30)μmol/L.Multivariate analysis revealed that smoking(OR=2.093,95%CI:1.313-3.336),service in conventional fighter aircraft(OR=1.716,95%CI:1.063-2.770),elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C)(OR=2.510,95%CI:1.413-4.458),and elevated bilirubin(OR=2.360,95%CI:1.509-3.691)were independent risk factors for HHcy(all P<0.05).Conclusion There is a high prevalence of HHcy in military pilots.It is strongly associated with smoking,aircraft type,and metabolic abnormalities.It is recommended to incorporate Hcy testing into routine physical examination,implement risk factor-based stratified interventions,and establish an atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases early warning system integrating vascular imaging and risk assessment,aiming to reduce cardiovascular risks and safeguard combat effectiveness.

Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction (SOD) refers to the abnormal physiological function of sphincter of Oddi, which causes a series of syndromes in biliary tract, pancreas and liver. At present, the related research of SOD is becoming a hot spot, but its pathogenesis is not clear. This article will review the domestic and international literatures on SOD, review the advantages and disadvantages of experimental animals such as rabbits, dogs and guinea pigs, and analyze the characteristics of drugs and surgical modeling, so as to provide references for future related model establishment.

Objective To investigate the application of transesophageal echocardiography in the evaluation of left atrial ear volume and function changes in patients with patent foramen ovale and atrial fibrillation. Methods Eighty patients with patent foramen ovale were selected as the study objects, and were divided into atrial fibrillation group (n=44) and non-atrial fibrillation group (n=36), and 30 healthy subjects were selected as control group. Transesophageal echocardiography was performed in three groups. The left atrial appendage volume and changes of function in three groups were compared. Results The left atrial appendage maximum volume (LAAV_max), left atrial appendage minimum volume (LAAV_min), left atrial appendage opening maximum area (MA) and left atrial appendage opening maximum length diameter (MD) in the atrial fibrillation group and non-atrial fibrillation group were significantly higher, and the left atrial appendage maximum emptying velocity (LAAeV) and left atrial appendage maximum filling velocity (LAAfV) were significantly lower than those of the control group (P < 0.05). The LAAV_max, LAAV_min as well as MA and MD of left auricular opening in patients with left auricular spontaneous imaging (SEC) in the atrial fibrillation group were significantly higher than those in the non-atrial fibrillation group, and LAAeV and LAAfV were significantly lower than those in the non-atrial fibrillation group (P < 0.05). After treatment, the incidence of end-point events in the atrial fibrillation was significantly higher than that in the non-atrial fibrillation group (P < 0.05). Conclusion The application of transesophageal echocardiography in the evaluation of left atrial ear volume and function changes in patients with patent foramen ovale and atrial fibrillation is effective. The left atrial appendage function of patients with atrial fibrillation is worse than that of patients without atrial fibrillation.

Background::Heterogeneity of tumor cells and the tumor microenvironment (TME) is significantly associated with clinical outcomes and treatment responses in patients with urothelial carcinoma (UC). Comprehensive profiling of the cellular diversity and interactions between malignant cells and TME may clarify the mechanisms underlying UC progression and guide the development of novel therapies. This study aimed to extend our understanding of intra-tumoral heterogeneity and the immunosuppressive TME in UC and provide basic support for the development of novel UC therapies.Methods::Seven patients with UC were included who underwent curative surgery at our hospital between July 2020 and October 2020. We performed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) analysis in seven tumors with six matched adjacent normal tissues and integrated the results with two public scRNA-seq datasets. The functional properties and intercellular interactions between single cells were characterized, and the results were validated using multiplex immunofluorescence staining, flow cytometry, and bulk transcriptomic datasets. All statistical analyses were performed using the R package with two-sided tests. Wilcoxon-rank test, log-rank test, one-way analysis of variance test, and Pearson correlation analysis were used properly.Results::Unsupervised t-distributed stochastic neighbor embedding clustering analysis identified ten main cellular subclusters in urothelial tissues. Of them, seven urothelial subtypes were noted, and malignant urothelial cells were characterized with enhanced cellular proliferation and reduced immunogenicity. CD8 + T cell subclusters exhibited enhanced cellular cytotoxicity activities along with increased exhaustion signature in UC tissues, and the recruitment of CD4 + T regulatory cells was also increased in tumor tissues. Regarding myeloid cells, coordinated reprogramming of infiltrated neutrophils, M2-type polarized macrophages, and LAMP3 + dendritic cells contribute to immunosuppressive TME in UC tissues. Tumor tissues demonstrated enhanced angiogenesis mediated by KDR + endothelial cells and RGS5 +/ACTA2 + pericytes. Through deconvolution analysis, we identified multiple cellular subtypes may influence the programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) immunotherapy response in patients with UC. Conclusion::Our scRNA-seq analysis clarified intra-tumoral heterogeneity and delineated the pro-tumoral and immunosuppressive microenvironment in UC tissues, which may provide novel therapeutic targets.

Objective:To study the changes in the sphincter of Oddi pressure in rabbits after bilateral vagus nerve trunk severance and the therapeutic effect of Qingre Lidan Decoction, to provide a new way for the treatment of sphincter of Oddi dysfunction.Methods:Twenty-four 1.5~2.0 kg New Zealand Large White rabbits of either gender were randomly selected and divided into the control group, the model group, and the treatment group. In the control group, only pyloroplasty was performed; in the model group and the treatment group, pyloroplasty plus bilateral vagus nerve trunk dissection at the level of the diaphragm were performed, and in the treatment group, one month of gavage treatment with Qingre Lidan Decoction was carried out 7 days after the operation. Multi-channel bio-signal acquisition system was used to record the pressure changes of the sphincter of Oddi in rabbits of each group; ELISA was used to detect the changes of inflammatory factors IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor TNF-α in the serum of rabbits.Results:The pressure of the sphincter of Oddi in the model group was significantly higher than those in the control group [low-pressure area: (51.95±0.35) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) vs (21.60±1.13) mmHg ( P<0.05) ; High pressure area: (60.75±0.49) mmHg vs (20.70±0.85) mmHg ( P<0.05)], the pressure of sphincter of Oddi in the treatment group of Qingre Lidan Decoction was lower than that of the model group [low-pressure area: (22.70±1.13) mmHg vs (51.95±0.35) mmHg ( P<0.05); high-pressure area: (32.15±0.49) mmHg vs (60.75±0.49) mmHg ( P<0.05)]. Serum IL-6 and TNF-αwere significantly elevated in the model group compared to the control group; IL-6 and TNF-α levels were decreased in the treatment group compared to the model group, and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Bilateral vagus nerve trunk severance leads to Oddi sphincter dysfunction, and treatment with Qingre Lidan Decoction could improve Oddi sphincter dysfunction.

Objective:To investigate the longitudinal trajectory and influencing factors of cancer-related fatigue (CRF) in breast cancer patients during chemotherapy.Methods:From March 2019 to January 2020, breast cancer patients in Longhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Peking Union Medical College Hospital were selected as the research objects to conduct follow-up investigation. The survey tools included general information questionnaire, Cancer-related Fatigue Assessment Scale, International Physical Activity Questionnaire, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index Scale.Results:A total of 91 patients were included in the study. The incidence of severe CRF at each time point before chemotherapy, 3 weeks after chemotherapy and 6 weeks after chemotherapy were 1.1% (1/91), 8.8% (5/57) and 2.1% (1/48), respectively. The results of the generalized estimation equation showed that the trajectory of the total score CRF firstly increased and then decreased, reaching a peak at 3 weeks after chemotherapy (35.45±13.07), and mild CRF change showed statistical difference ( P<0.05). In addition, BMI and sleep and daytime dysfunction were the influencing factors of the total score of CRF. Disease stage, sleep disturbance and daytime dysfunction were the influencing factors of CRF with different severity. Conclusions:CRF is a prominent problem in breast cancer patients during chemotherapy. Attention should be paid to high-risk individuals with abnormal BMI and daytime function by medical staff.

Objective:To explore the clinical characteristic and risk factors of subcutaneous tophus among hospitalized gout patients.Methods:The clinical data of 646 inpatients with gout from April 2014 to December 2019 in Tianjin Medical University Chu Hsien-I Memorial Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into tophus group (172 cases) and non-tophus group (474 cases) according to the presence of subcutaneous tophus. The body height, body mass, waist circumference, hip circumference and blood pressure were measured. The total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), urea nitrogen, creatinine, uric acid and C-reactive protein (CRP) were detected; urine was collected for 24 h to detect uric acid. The body mass index (BMI), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and uric acid excretion fraction (FUA) were counted. Binary Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the independent risk factors of subcutaneous tophus among hospitalized gout patients.Results:The proportion of male, course of disease, number of joint involved in attack, rate of smoking history, rate of drinking history, smoking amount, alcohol consumption volume, length of time spent drinking, length of time spent smoking, LDL-C, urea nitrogen, serum creatinine and serum uric acid in tophus group were significantly higher than those in non-tophus group: 98.84% (170/172) vs. 94.09% (446/474), 10 (5, 16) years vs. 5 (2, 9) years, 6 (4, 8) joints vs. 3 (2, 5) joints, 66.86% (115/172) vs. 58.44% (277/474), 65.70% (113/172) vs. 57.38% (272/474), 11 (0, 20) cigarettes /d vs. 10 (0, 20) cigarettes/d, 100 (0, 250) ml/d vs. 50 (0, 162) ml/d, 10 (0, 26) years vs. 0 (0, 20) years, 20 (0, 30) years vs. 10 (0, 20) years, (3.44 ± 0.98) mmol/L vs. (3.25 ± 0.97) mmol/L, 5.81 (4.61, 7.46) mmol/L vs. 5.38 (4.39, 6.66) mmol/L, 89.4 (74.3, 107.5) μmol/L vs. 85.1 (72.5, 98.9) μmol/L and 514.4 (452.9, 595.2) μmol/L vs. 499.0 (404.8, 572.4), the onset age, red blood cell, hemoglobin and eGFR were significantly lower than those in non-tophus group: (37.78 ± 10.56) years old vs. (40.17 ± 13.06) years old, (4.72 ± 0.74) × 10 9/L vs. (4.88 ± 0.56) × 10 9/L, (141.15 ± 17.19) g/L vs. (146.00 ± 13.06) g/L and 87.7 (65.9, 108.4) ml/min vs. 93.3 (75.9, 113.1) ml/min, and there were statistical differences ( P<0.05 or <0.01); there were no statistical differences in family history of diabetes, family history of hypertension, family history of gout, BMI, waist-hip ratio, blood pressure, FUA, white blood cell, TC, TG, HDL-C and CRP between 2 groups ( P>0.05). The patients were grouped according to the course of disease, the incidences of tophus in patients with course of disease ≤5.0 years, 5.1 to 10.0 years and >10.0 years were 15.34% (50/326), 27.67% (44/159) and 48.45% (78/161), and there was statistical difference ( χ2 = 60.59, P<0.01); the patients were grouped according to the quartiles of serum uric acid, the incidences of tophus in patients with serum uric acid <424.05 μmol/L, 424.05 to 505.24 μmol/L, 505.25 to 576.17 μmol/L and ≥576.18 μmol/L were 14.91% (24/161), 32.72% (53/162), 29.01% (47/162) and 29.81% (48/161), and there was statistical difference ( χ2 = 15.70, P<0.01). Binary Logistic regression analysis result showed that the course of gout, smoking amount, number of joint involved in attack, serum uric acid and LDL-C were the independent risk factors of subcutaneous tophus among hospitalized gout patients ( OR = 1.069, 1.020, 1.317, 1.002 and 1.262; 95% CI 1.032 to 1.097, 1.006 to 1.032, 1.223 to 1.417, 1.000 to 1.003 and 1.033 to 1.541; P<0.01 or <0.05). Conclusions:The duration of disease, number of involved joint, serum uric acid level, unhealthy lifestyles and lipid metabolism disorders are the independent risk factors of subcutaneous tophus among hospitalized gout patients.

Objective:To analyze the clinical and radiological features of patients with hypoplasia of the internal carotid artery.Methods:Four patients with hypoplasia of the internal carotid artery (including 3 patients with congenital absence of the internal carotid artery), admitted to our hospital from January 2010 to December 2021, were chosen in our study. The clinical data and imaging features of these patients were retrospectively analyzed.Results:The age of these patients ranged from 31 to 73 years, and two patients were female. Clinically,2 patients presented with dizziness, 1 patient presented with limb weakness, and 1 patient was asymptomatic. In 3 patients with congenital absence of the internal carotid artery, DSA results showed that the internal carotid artery was not developed, and CT bone window showed that the internal carotid artery canal was absent; 1 patient with hypoplasia of the internal carotid artery showed thin imaging in DSA results. One patient was combined with anterior communicating artery aneurysm and left internal carotid artery aneurysm. One patient was with vertebral arterial dolichoectasia. The collateral circulation compensation: type A was noted in 3 patients and type C was noted in 1 patient.Conclusion:The patients with hypoplasia of the internal carotid artery are usually asymptomatic, and patients with congenital absence of the internal carotid artery can have ischemic symptom; these patients can be complicated with vascular abnormalities such as aneurysm and vascular thickening.

Objective:To analyze the clinical and radiological features of patients with hypoplasia of the internal carotid artery.Methods:Four patients with hypoplasia of the internal carotid artery (including 3 patients with congenital absence of the internal carotid artery), admitted to our hospital from January 2010 to December 2021, were chosen in our study. The clinical data and imaging features of these patients were retrospectively analyzed.Results:The age of these patients ranged from 31 to 73 years, and two patients were female. Clinically,2 patients presented with dizziness, 1 patient presented with limb weakness, and 1 patient was asymptomatic. In 3 patients with congenital absence of the internal carotid artery, DSA results showed that the internal carotid artery was not developed, and CT bone window showed that the internal carotid artery canal was absent; 1 patient with hypoplasia of the internal carotid artery showed thin imaging in DSA results. One patient was combined with anterior communicating artery aneurysm and left internal carotid artery aneurysm. One patient was with vertebral arterial dolichoectasia. The collateral circulation compensation: type A was noted in 3 patients and type C was noted in 1 patient.Conclusion:The patients with hypoplasia of the internal carotid artery are usually asymptomatic, and patients with congenital absence of the internal carotid artery can have ischemic symptom; these patients can be complicated with vascular abnormalities such as aneurysm and vascular thickening.

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics and influencing factors of mortality in patients with intra-abdominal candidiasis (IAC).Methods:The retrospective case-control study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 203 IAC patients who were admitted to 7 medical centers from June 2018 to June 2020 were collected, including 54 cases in Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 31 cases in Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, 25 cases in Beijing Hospital, 25 cases in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, 24 cases in China-Japan Friendship Hospital, 22 cases in General Hospital of Eastern Theater Command of Chinese PLA and 22 cases in Chongqing University Cancer Hospital. There were 130 males and 73 females, aged (64±15)years. Observation indicators: (1) candida infection and treatment of IAC patients; (2) analysis of influencing factors for mortality of IAC patients. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean± SD, and comparison between groups was analyzed using the t test. Measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M(range), and comparison between groups was analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test. Count data were expressed as absolute numbers or percentages, and comparison between groups was analyzed using the chi-square test. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed by Logistic regression model. Results:(1) Candida infection and treatment of IAC patients: 134 cases of candida albicans were cultured in the initial abdominal drainage fluid or intraoperative abdominal specimens of 203 patients, and 49 cases were treated with fluconazole. Of 69 cases infected with non candida albicans, 13 cases were treated with fluconazole. The resistance rate of candida albicans to fluconazole was 5.91%(12/203). Of 203 patients, there were 68 cases with infections shock, 53 cases with renal failure, 84 cases with respiratory failure and 63 cases with multiple organ failure, respectively. There were 148 of 203 patients admitted to intensive care unit for 9 days(range, 3-20 days), and the total hospital stay was 28 days(range, 17-50 days). Of 203 patients, 86 cases were cured and discharged, 50 cases were improved and transferred to local hospitals, 32 cases gave up treatment and discharged automatically, 19 cases died, 16 cases had no follow-up data. The mortality was 25.12%(51/203). (2) Analysis of influencing factors for mortality of IAC patients. Results of univariate analysis showed that acute physiology and chronic health evaluation score, sequential organ failure assessment score, the Cr, bilirubin, albumin, procalcitonin, and PLT on the first day of candida positive culture, of the lowest value in a week and the highest in a week, heart disease, diabetes, infections shock, renal failure, respiratory failure, multiple organ failure, anti-fungal therapy were the related factors for mortality of IAC patients ( t=-2.322, Z=-2.550, -2.262, -4.361, t=2.085, Z=-3.734, -5.226, -2.394, -5.542, t=3.462, Z=-4.957, -5.632, 3.670, -5.805, t=3.966, Z=-3.734, -5.727, χ2=4.071, 4.638, 27.353, 18.818, 13.199, 26.251, 13.388, P<0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that the bilirubin, procalcitonin on the first day of candida positive culture and infections shock were independent risk factors for mortality of IAC patients ( odds ratio=1.021, 1.022, 6.864, 95% confidence interval as 1.010-1.033, 1.001-1.044, 1.858-25.353, P<0.05). Conclusions:The common fungus of IAC was candida albicans, and fluconazole can be used as the initial empirical treatment. The prognosis of patients with abdominal candidiasis is poor. Bilirubin, procalcitonin on the first day of candida positive culture and infections shock are indepen-dent risk factors for mortality of IAC patients.