Objective To explore the incidence and risk factors of sarcopenia in non-dialysis patients with stage 5 chronic kidney disease (CKD). Methods Non-dialysis stage 5 CKD patients in Jiading District Central Hospital Affiliated Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences from October 2023 to October 2024 were enrolled and divided into the non-sarcopenia group and the sarcopenia group according to lean tissue index (LTI) and handgrip strength (HGS). Demographic data of patients were collected and biochemical indicators were detected. Serum advanced glycation end products (AGEs) were detected by competitive ELISA. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to analyze the risk factors of sarcopenia in these patients. The diagnostic efficacy of the risk factors was evaluated by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Results A total of 102 non-dialysis stage 5 CKD patients with (68.52±7.39) years, were enrolled, including 61 male (59.8%). Among them, 24 were diagnosed with sarcopenia (23.5%). Compared with patients in non-sarcopenia group, patients in sarcopenia group were older and had higher interleukin-6 (IL-6) and AGEs, lower body mass index (BMI) and lower serum albumin (sAlb; P＜0.05). Multivariate logistic regression showed that advanced age (OR＝1.153, 95%CI 1.045–1.273, P＝0.005), higher IL-6 (OR＝1.165, 95%CI 1.042–1.302, P＝0.007)、lower sAlb (OR＝0.675, 95%CI 0.542–0.840, P＝0.001), and higher serum AGEs (OR＝1.105, 95%CI 1.013–1.206, P＝0.024) were independent risk factors of sarcopenia in non-dialysis CKD 5 patients. The areas under the curve (AUC) for the age, IL-6, sAlb, and serum AGEs were 0.896, 0.643, 0.658, and 0.724, respectively. Conclusions Sarcopenia is common in non-dialysis stage 5 CKD patients, and the risk of sarcopenia is higher in non-dialysis stage 5 CKD patients with advanced age, higher IL-6, lower sAlb, and higher serum AGEs.

Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of norovirus outbreaks in Haidian District, Beijing, and to provide a reference for epidemic prevention and control. Methods Descriptive epidemiological methods were used to organize and statistically analyze the norovirus outbreak data reported from 2016 to 2022. Results A total of 26 outbreaks of norovirus were reported in Haidian District, with a total of 1595 cases and an attack rate M (Q_R) of 8.23 (16.33)%. There were 24 cases of norovirus type GII (92.31%), 1 case of type GI (3.85%), and 1 case of mixed infection of virus type GI/GII (3.85%). The highest number of reported outbreaks occurred in March and April, with 17 cases, accounting for 65.38%. The highest number of reported cases was in November and December, with 785 cases, accounting for 44.92%. The case age M (Q_R) was 18 (14) years old. The detection rate of positive samples in different age groups had statistical significance（χ²=12.021, P=0.007). The 26 outbreaks were mainly distributed in collective units such as schools, preschool institutions, and enterprises and institutions. There were a total of 11 outbreaks related to foodborne transmission, with 923 cases, accounting for 57.87%. Diarrhea was positively correlated with the age of the cases (r_s=0.572, P<0.001), while vomiting was negatively correlated with the age of the cases (r_s=-0187, P<0.001). The time interval between the onset of acute gastroenteritis symptoms in the first case and the reporting of the epidemic was positively correlated with the duration of the epidemic (r_s=0.586, P=0.002). Conclusion It is necessary to strengthen the prevention and control of norovirus in schools (primary and secondary schools and colleges), strictly implement health monitoring and regular screening for kitchen workers, carry out publicity and education, detect cases as early as possible, report the epidemic in a timely manner, and effectively reduce the scale of the epidemic and prevent its spread.

OBJECTIVE: To preliminarily investigate the effect of buccal acupuncture therapy on ameliorating postoperative pain and enhancing recovery quality among patients undergoing radical resection of gastrointestinal cancers. METHODS: Fifty-two participants were randomized at a 1:1 ratio to either the buccal acupuncture or the control group. The acupuncture protocol entailed targeting 5 predetermined acupoints [CA-2 (Upper jiao), CA-3 (Middle jiao), CA-4 (Lower jiao), CA-6 (back), and CA-7 (waist) and two adjustable acupoints [CA-1 (head) and CA-8 (sacrum)] on each side of the face. The outcomes included the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) scores for each day within 7 days postoperatively, 15-Item Quality of Recovery Scale (QoR-15) scores, analgesics consumption during and after surgery, incidences of postoperative nausea and vomiting, and perioperative levels of interleukin-6 and glucose. Adverse events related to acupuncture were recorded. RESULTS: Of the initial 52 participants, 46 completed the study and were included in the analysis. Findings indicated that the buccal acupuncture group experienced significantly reduced resting NRS scores in post-anesthesia care unit and throughout the postoperative phase (P=0.001 and P=0.003, respectively), along with enhanced QoR-15 scores on the 3rd postoperative day (P=0.008), compared to the control group. No notable differences were identified in the remaining indicators (P>0.05). CONCLUSION Buccal acupuncture therapy demonstrated significant effectiveness in reducing postoperative pain and improving recovery quality for patients undergoing radical resection of gastrointestinal cancers, presenting a viable intervention without associated adverse outcomes. (Trial registration No. ChiCTR2200060441).
Humans ; Male ; Pilot Projects ; Female ; Acupuncture Therapy/methods* ; Pain, Postoperative/therapy* ; Middle Aged ; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms/surgery* ; Aged ; Acupuncture Points ; Adult

Prostate cancer is the most prevalent malignant tumor among men, ranking first in incidence and second in mortality globally. Novel hormone therapies (NHT) targeting the androgen receptor (AR) pathway have become the standard of care for metastatic prostate cancer. This review offers a comprehensive overview of NHT, including abiraterone, enzalutamide, apalutamide, darolutamide, and rezvilutamide, which have demonstrated efficacy in delaying disease progression and improving patient survival and quality of life. Nevertheless, resistance to NHT remains a critical challenge. The mechanisms underlying resistance are complex, involving AR gene amplification, mutations, splice variants, increased intratumoral androgens, and AR-independent pathways such as the glucocorticoid receptor, neuroendocrine differentiation, DNA repair defects, autophagy, immune evasion, and activation of alternative signaling pathways. This review discusses these resistance mechanisms and examines strategies to counteract them, including sequential treatment with novel AR-targeted drugs, chemotherapy, poly ADP-ribose polymerase inhibitors, radionuclide therapy, bipolar androgen therapy, and approaches targeting specific resistance pathways. Future research should prioritize elucidating the molecular basis of NHT resistance, optimizing existing therapeutic strategies, and developing more effective combination regimens. Additionally, advanced sequencing technologies and resistance research models should be leveraged to identify novel therapeutic targets and improve drug delivery efficiencies. These advancements hold the potential to overcome NHT resistance and significantly enhance the management and prognosis of patients with advanced prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy and safety of intravenous colistin sulfate combined with nebulized inhalation versus intravenous monotherapy for pulmonary infections caused by carbapenem-resistant organism (CRO). METHODS: A multicenter retrospective cohort study was conducted. Clinical data were collected from patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of 10 tertiary class-A hospitals in Henan Province between July 2021 and May 2023, who received colistin sulfate for CRO pulmonary infections. Data included baseline characteristics, inflammatory markers [white blood cell count (WBC), neutrophil count (NEU), procalcitonin (PCT), C-reactive protein (CRP)], renal function indicators [serum creatinine (SCr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN)], life support measures, anti-infection regimens, clinical efficacy, microbiological clearance rate, and prognostic outcomes. Patients were divided into two groups: intravenous group (colistin sulfate monotherapy via intravenous infusion) and combination group ((intravenous infusion combined with nebulized inhalation of colistin sulfate). Changes in parameters before and after treatment were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 137 patients with CRO pulmonary infections were enrolled, including 89 in the intravenous group and 48 in the combination group. Baseline characteristics, life support measures, daily colistin dose, and combination regimens (most commonly colistin sulfate plus carbapenems in both groups) showed no significant differences between two groups. The combination group exhibited higher clinical efficacy [77.1% (37/48) vs. 59.6% (52/89)] and microbiological clearance rate [60.4% (29/48) vs. 39.3% (35/89)], both P < 0.05. Pre-treatment inflammatory and renal parameters showed no significant differences between two groups. Post-treatment, the combination group showed significantly lower WBC and CRP [WBC (×10⁹/L): 8.2±0.5 vs. 10.9±0.6, CRP (mg/L): 14.0 (5.7, 26.6) vs. 52.1 (24.4, 109.6), both P < 0.05], whereas NEU, PCT, SCr, and BUN levels showed no significant between two groups. ICU length of stay was shorter in the combination group [days: 16 (10, 25) vs. 21 (14, 29), P < 0.05], although mechanical ventilation duration and total hospitalization showed no significant differences between two groups. CONCLUSIONS Intravenous colistin sulfate combined with nebulized inhalation improved clinical efficacy and microbiological clearance in CRO pulmonary infections with an acceptable safety profile.
Humans ; Colistin/therapeutic use* ; Retrospective Studies ; Administration, Inhalation ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use* ; Carbapenems/pharmacology* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Gram-Negative Bacteria/drug effects* ; Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Respiratory Tract Infections/drug therapy*

Developing and identifying effective medications and targets for treating hepatic fibrosis is an urgent priority. Our previous research demonstrated the efficacy of artesunate (ART) in alleviating liver fibrosis by eliminating activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear despite these findings. Notably, endocytic adaptor protein (NUMB) has significant implications for treating hepatic diseases, but current research primarily focuses on liver regeneration and hepatocellular carcinoma. The precise function of NUMB in liver fibrosis, particularly its ability to regulate HSCs, requires further investigation. This study aims to elucidate the role of NUMB in the anti-hepatic fibrosis action of ART in HSCs. We observed that the expression level of NUMB significantly decreased in activated HSCs compared to quiescent HSCs, exhibiting a negative correlation with the progression of liver fibrosis. Additionally, ART induced senescence in activated HSCs through the NUMB/P53 tumor suppressor (P53) axis. We identified NUMB as a crucial regulator of senescence in activated HSCs and as a mediator of ART in determining cell fate. This research examines the specific target of ART in eliminating activated HSCs, providing both theoretical and experimental evidence for the treatment of liver fibrosis.
Hepatic Stellate Cells/cytology* ; Liver Cirrhosis/genetics* ; Artesunate/pharmacology* ; Cellular Senescence/drug effects* ; Membrane Proteins/genetics* ; Animals ; Humans ; Nerve Tissue Proteins/genetics* ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/genetics* ; Male ; Mice

Objective: Para-aortic lymph node dissection (PALND) is a widely used treatment that causes many complications. This study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of nerve-sparing para-aortic lymph node dissection (NSPALND) by comparing it with conventional PALND in gynecological malignancies and to prove whether locating the superior hypogastric plexus (SHP) can help reveal the para-aortic nerves. Methods: This is a retrospective study of the patients who underwent para-aortic lymphadenectomy from January 2020 to December 2022 at Zhejiang Cancer Hospital. All of them were divided into NSPALND and PALND groups according to whether or not nervesparing was performed. The surgical, functional and oncological outcomes were evaluated. Results: There were 43 patients enrolled, of which, 20 patients underwent NSPALND and 23 patients underwent PALND. The para-aortic nerves were successfully revealed by locating the SHP in all 20 cases of NSPALND. The post-operative anal exhaust time in the NSPALND group was significantly shorter than that in the PALND group (2.5 vs. 4 days, p=0.006), and the incidence of acute intestinal obstruction in the NSPALND group was significantly lower than that in the PALND group (10% vs. 39%, p=0.029). There was no difference between the two groups in terms of catheterization duration, urinary retention, dysuria, as well as the number of lymph nodes removed and the para-aortic recurrence rate. Conclusion NSPALND can significantly reduce the rate of acute intestinal obstruction and improve post-operative intestinal function. Locating the SHP and using it as an anatomical landmark to reveal the para-aortic nerves is feasible. Its exact clinical value needs to be further studied.