BACKGROUND: SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) is transmitted via infectious respiratory particles. Infectious respiratory particles are released when an infected person breathes, coughs, or speaks. Several studies have measured respiratory particle concentrations through focusing on activities such as breathing, coughing, and short speech. However, few studies have investigated the effect of speech duration. METHODS: This study aimed to clarify the effects of speech duration and volume on the respiratory particle concentration. Study participants were requested to speak at three voice volumes across five speech durations, generating 15 speech patterns. Participants spoke inside a clean booth where particle concentrations and voice volumes were measured and analyzed during speech. RESULTS: Our findings suggest that as speech duration increased, the aerosol number concentration also increased. Through focusing on individual differences, we considered there might be super-emitters who emit more aerosol particles than the average human. Two participants were identified as statistical outliers (aerosol number concentration, n = 1; mass concentration, n = 1). CONCLUSIONS Considering speech duration may improve our understanding of respiratory particle concentration dynamics. Two participants were identified as potential super-emitters.
Humans ; Male ; Speech/physiology* ; Adult ; Female ; COVID-19/transmission* ; Respiratory Aerosols and Droplets ; Voice ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Time Factors ; Young Adult ; Aerosols/analysis*

Objective To investigate the effects of Huangqin Qingrechubi Capsule(HQC)on inflammation and uric acid and lipid metabolism in rats with gouty arthritis(GA)and its mechanism.Methods SD rat models of GA established by injecting monosodium urate into the right ankle joint were treated with saline,colchicine and HQC at low,medium and high doses(n=10)by gavage for 7 days.Toe swelling of the rats was detected at 4,8,24,48 and 72 h after modeling,and synovial histological changes were observed with HE staining.Serum levels of interleukin-10(IL-10),IL-18,tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1),adiponectin,leptin,resistin and visfatin were measured by ELISA,and the levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C),triglyceride(TG),total cholesterol(TC),and uric acid(BUA)were detected.RT-qPCR and Western blotting were used to detect the mRNA expressions of phosphatase and tensin homolog(PTEN),phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase(PI3K)and protein kinase B(AKT)and the protein expressions of PTEN,PI3K,p-PI3K,AKT and p-AKT.Results The rat models of GA showed obvious toe swelling,which reached the peak level at 48 h.HE staining revealed massive inflammatory cell infiltration and synovial tissue hyperplasia.The rat models showed significantly increased expressions of TNF-α,TGF-β1,IL-18,TC,TG,leptin,resistin and visfatin,BUA,p-PI3K,and p-AKT and lowered levels of IL-10,APN,HDL-C,and PTEN.Treatment with HQC and colchicine obviously improved these changes and alleviated synovial pathologies and toe swelling in the rat models.Conclusion HQC can improve inflammation and correct the imbalance of uric acid and lipid metabolism in GA rats possibly by inhibiting the PTEN/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

Objective To investigate the effects of Huangqin Qingrechubi Capsule(HQC)on inflammation and uric acid and lipid metabolism in rats with gouty arthritis(GA)and its mechanism.Methods SD rat models of GA established by injecting monosodium urate into the right ankle joint were treated with saline,colchicine and HQC at low,medium and high doses(n=10)by gavage for 7 days.Toe swelling of the rats was detected at 4,8,24,48 and 72 h after modeling,and synovial histological changes were observed with HE staining.Serum levels of interleukin-10(IL-10),IL-18,tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1),adiponectin,leptin,resistin and visfatin were measured by ELISA,and the levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C),triglyceride(TG),total cholesterol(TC),and uric acid(BUA)were detected.RT-qPCR and Western blotting were used to detect the mRNA expressions of phosphatase and tensin homolog(PTEN),phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase(PI3K)and protein kinase B(AKT)and the protein expressions of PTEN,PI3K,p-PI3K,AKT and p-AKT.Results The rat models of GA showed obvious toe swelling,which reached the peak level at 48 h.HE staining revealed massive inflammatory cell infiltration and synovial tissue hyperplasia.The rat models showed significantly increased expressions of TNF-α,TGF-β1,IL-18,TC,TG,leptin,resistin and visfatin,BUA,p-PI3K,and p-AKT and lowered levels of IL-10,APN,HDL-C,and PTEN.Treatment with HQC and colchicine obviously improved these changes and alleviated synovial pathologies and toe swelling in the rat models.Conclusion HQC can improve inflammation and correct the imbalance of uric acid and lipid metabolism in GA rats possibly by inhibiting the PTEN/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

Objective:To explore the correlation between the initial estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and all-cause mortality in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients undergoing urgent-start peritoneal dialysis (USPD).Methods:The clinical data of 380 ESRD patients undergoing USPD from January 2013 to June 2023 in Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University were retrospective analyzed. According to the median initial eGFR of 6.25 ml/(min·1.73 m 2), the patients were divided into low eGFR group with eGFR<6.25 ml/(min·1.73 m 2) and high eGFR group with eGFR ≥6.25 ml/(min·1.73 m 2), with 190 patients in each group. The baseline characteristics and hematological indexes within 48 h before USPD were compared between the two groups. The patients were followed up until death or until June 30, 2023, and all-cause mortality was recorded. The Kaplan-Meier survival curve was used to evaluate the accumulated survival rate. Multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to identify the independent risk factors for all-cause mortality in ESRD patients undergoing USPD, with subgroup analyses based on age, gender and diabetes. Results:The median follow-up time was 40.7 (21.7, 59.0) months, 112 patients died, with a total mortality rate of 29.5% (112/380). The blood potassium, blood phosphorus, urea nitrogen, uric acid, parathyroid hormone and dialysis age in high eGFR group were significantly lower than those in low eGFR group: (4.1 ± 0.7) mmol/L vs. (4.5 ± 0.8) mmol/L, (1.6 ± 0.4) mmol/L vs. (1.9 ± 0.6) mmol/L, (21.8 ± 7.2) mmol/L vs. (29.7 ± 11.0) mmol/L, (359.8 ± 99.4) μmol/L vs. (429.4 ± 116.9) μmol/L, 242.2 (151.5, 398.3) ng/L vs. 281.7 (189.1, 487.2) ng/L and 36.1 (18.8, 54.0) months vs. 43.7 (28.8, 68.2) months, the diabetes rate, hemoglobin, platelet count, blood chloride, fasting blood glucose and mortality rate were significantly higher than those in low eGFR group: 20.0% (38/190) vs. 11.6% (22/190), (100.6 ± 18.2) g/L vs. (96.1 ± 20.0) g/L, (207.7 ± 72.6) × 10 9/L vs. (192.4 ± 65.6) × 10 9/L, (100.6 ± 4.1) mmol/L vs. (99.4 ± 4.7) mmol/L, (5.9 ± 2.3) mmol/L vs. (5.5 ± 1.9) mmol/L and 34.2% (65/190) vs. 24.7% (47/190), and there were statistical differences ( P<0.01 or< 0.05). Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis result showed that the all-cause mortality rate in high eGFR group was significantly higher than that in low eGFR group, and there was statistical difference (log-rank χ2 = 6.64, P<0.01). After adjusting for gender, age and confounding factors, multivariate Cox regression analysis result showed that elevated eGFR, increased mean corpuscular volume and elevated fasting blood glucose were independent risk factors for all-cause mortality in ESRD patients undergoing USPD ( HR = 1.14, 1.04 and 1.15; 95% CI 1.04 to 1.26, 1.01 to 1.08 and 1.03 to 1.29; P<0.01 or<0.05), while female was an independent protective factor ( HR = 0.59, 95% CI 0.38 to 0.92, P<0.05). Subgroup analysis result showed a consistent effect of eGFR on mortality in ESRD patients undergoing USPD. Conclusions:Higher initial eGFR in ESRD patients undergoing USPD is associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality.

Objective:To investigate the relationship between serum osteopontin (OPN), bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2), retinol binding protein 4 (RBP4) and renal function and bone mineral density in patients with diabetes nephropathy (DN).Methods:A total of 120 patients with DN diagnosed in the Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University from January 2020 to December 2021 were selected as the DN group, 60 patients with simple diabetes as the type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) group, and 60 subjects with normal glucose tolerance test as the control group. The serum OPN, BMP2, RBP4, low bone mineral density (LBMD), femoral neck bone density (FNBMD) and renal function indicators of the three groups were compared. According to the urinary albumin excretion rate (UAER) of DN patients, the patients were divided into microalbuminuria DN group (71 cases) and massive albuminuria DN group (49 cases), and stratified comparison was made. The simple linear correlation analysis was used to analyze the OPN of DN patients. BMP2, RBP4, renal function and bone mineral density.Results:The fasting blood glucose (FPG), glycated hemoglobin (HbA 1c), serum creatinine (Scr), UAER, and cystatin (CysC) levels of DN group patients were significantly higher than those of T2DM group and control group, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05); The FPG and HbA 1c in the T2DM group were higher than those in the control group, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05); The OPN and BMP2 of DN group patients were higher than those of T2DM group and control group, while the RBP4, LBMD, FNBMD of DN group were lower than those of T2DM group and control group, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05); The OPN and BMP2 of the T2DM group were higher than those of the control group, while RBP4 was lower than that of the control group, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05); The levels of FPG, HbA 1c, Scr, UAER, and CysC in patients with macroalbuminuria DN were significantly higher than those in patients with microalbuminuria DN, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05); The OPN and BMP2 of patients in the large albuminuria DN group were higher than those in the microalbuminuria DN group, while the RBP4, LBMD, and FNBMD of patients in the large albuminuria DN group were lower than those in the microalbuminuria DN group, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). The OPN of DN group patients was positively correlated with Scr, UAER, and CysC (all P<0.05), while BMP2 was positively correlated with UAER and CysC (all P<0.05); The OPN and BMP2 of DN group patients were negatively correlated with LBMD and FNBMD (all P<0.05), while RBP4 was positively correlated with LBMD and FNBMD (all P<0.05). Conclusions:OPN, BMP2, RBP4 are closely related to the degree of renal function impairment and bone loss in DN patients, and can to some extent reflect the degree of bone metabolism and osteoporosis in T2DM patients.

Objective:To understand the current situation of fear of dementia among the elderly in Changsha and its related factors in order to provide empirical evidence for lowering the level of dementia fear among the elderly and formulating effective strategies.Methods:From July to September 2022, 300 elderly people living in communities in Changsha were surveyed using a random sampling method.Data were collected via a questionnaire for general information, the Fear of Dementia Scale, the Social Support Rating Scale, and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale, and multiple linear regression was used to analyze related factors for fear of dementia in the elderly.Results:For elderly people in Changsha, the fear of dementia score was 46.00(33.25, 59.00), the social support score was 40.00(34.00, 44.75), and the generalized anxiety disorder score was 3.00(2.00, 4.00).According to analysis by Spearman's correlation, the level of fear of dementia among the elderly in Changsha was positively correlated to the level of generalized anxiety( r=0.232, P<0.01)and negatively correlated to the level of social support( r=-0.226, P<0.01).Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that level of education( β=-2.385, t=-3.201, P=0.002), family history of dementia( β=10.801, t=4.151, P<0.001), frequency of physical examination( β=-2.601, t=-3.497, P=0.001), and social support( β=-0.347, t=-3.093, P=0.002)were related factors for fear of dementia in the elderly in Changsha. Conclusions:Fear of dementia among the elderly in Changsha is at a moderate level, and there is no widespread generalized anxiety.Family history of dementia, education level, frequency of physical examination, and level of social support are relevant factors for fear of dementia.To lessen the level of fear of dementia, specific intervention methods should be formulated according to the relevant factors.

Objective:To investigate the factors that influence the prolongation of gestation following emergency cervical cerclage.Methods:This retrospective study included 88 singleton pregnant women who were diagnosed with cervical incompetence and underwent emergency cervical cerclage at 12-26 weeks of gestation in the Jiaxing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital from January 1, 2019 to September 1, 2022. The participants who delivered after 28 gestational weeks were assigned to the success group ( n=77), while those who delivered or miscarried before 28 gestational weeks were assigned to the failure group ( n=11). Two independent sample t-test or Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison between groups. The factors affecting the prolongation of gestation after the procedure were selected by univariate analysis and multiple regression equations. Results:The success rate (delivery rate≥28 weeks) was 87.5% (77/88). There were six women delivered at 28-31 +6 weeks of gestation (6/77, 7.8%), two at 32-33 +6 weeks of gestation (2/77, 2.6%), 16 at 34-36 +6 weeks of gestation (16/77, 20.8%), and 53 at 37 weeks of gestation or later (53/77, 68.8%). Multiple regression analysis indicated that three times of early pregnancy miscarriage ( β=－5.1, 95% CI: -9.5 to -0.7), five times of early pregnancy miscarriage ( β=－11.8, 95% CI: -22.1 to -1.6), had two live births ( β=－6.9, 95% CI: -12.9 to -0.9), gestational age at cerclage ( β=－0.6, 95% CI: -1.0 to -0.3), external cervical os dilation<15 mm ( β=－12.1, 95% CI: -22.5 to -1.8) and ≥15 mm before cerclage ( β=－11.0, 95% CI: -21.4 to -0.71) were factors affecting the prolongation of gestation after cerclage. After adjusting for maternal age and weight before emergency cervical cerclage, five times of early pregnancy miscarriage ( β=－18.1, 95% CI: -28.3 to -7.8), gestational age at cerclage ( β=－0.6, 95% CI: -1.0 to -0.3), and external cervical os dilation≥15 mm before cerclage ( β=－11.4, 95% CI:－21.2 to -1.6) remained the significant influencing factors (all P<0.05). Conclusion:The number of early pregnancy miscarriages, gestational age at cerclage, and the width of external cervical os dilation before cerclage≥15 mm are the factors that influence the prolongation of gestation after the emergency cervical cerclage procedure.

  Objective  To understand the current status of surgical treatment for hemophilia osteoarthropathy (HO) in China.  Methods  Using an online questionnaire, select domestic hospitals that partici-pated in the compilation of the 'Guideline for perioperative management of hemophilia patients undergoing orthopaedic surgery in China ', in addition to members of the National Joint Surgery Group, and the Orthopedic Branch of the Chinese Medical Association for targeted investigation and analysis.  Results  A total of 17 domestic hospitals were included, all of which were general hospitals. Hospitals that started HO surgery treatment before 2000 accounted for 35.29%. A total of 3057 surgical cases of HO were reported by those hospitals. The most commonly performed surgical procedures were hip and knee joint replacement. The most commonly used coagulation factor replacement regimen was recombinant coagulation factor preparation. Ten hospitals reported finding patients with transfusion-related infectious diseases. Bleeding and hematoma formation were the most frequently reported surgical complications. Excessive length of hospital stay and high economic costs were the most frequently reported problems.  Conclusions  Surgical treatment for HO in 17 hospitals is mainly carried out in some large comprehensive medical centers in the eastern region. Compared with the patient base, the popularity and number of surgeries are still relatively insufficient. It is necessary to further standardize the treatment system by standardizing factor replacement and strengthening rehabilitation to improve surgical treatment outcomes.

Peritoneal dialysis is a recognized renal replacement therapy. Long term peritoneal dialysis will lead to changes in the morphology and function of the peritoneum, that is, peritoneal fibrosis, which is a known cause of the loss of peritoneal ultrafiltration capacity. Pyroptosis is a special type of soluble programmed cell death, characterized by cell swelling, rupture, secretion of cell contents and significant proinflammatory effect. The pyroptosis can be divided into typical and atypical pathways, and the inflammatory body of NOD like receptor heat protein domain related protein 3 (NLRP3) is the most important initiator. Current evidence shows that high glucose peritoneal dialysis fluid can induce peritoneal Mesothelium to scorch, and the inflammation and cell damage caused by it can aggravate the progress of peritoneal fibrosis. Different signal pathways have been proved to regulate the occurrence of pyroptosis. The latest research has proved that some potential targeted methods to inhibit pyroptosis can effectively inhibit the inflammation of peritoneal mesothelium and alleviate peritoneal fibrosis. This article mainly discusses the molecular mechanism of pyroptosis and the relationship between pyroptosis and peritoneal fibrosis.

Objective:To analyze the correlation between sleep midpoint and sleep quality in insomnia patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).Methods:By adopting current situation investigation research, total of 150 T2DM patients hospitalized in the Department of Endocrinology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from November 2021 to July 2022 were selected as the research objects. The general information questionnaire, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), anxiety scale (SAS) and Depression Scale (SDS) were used to investigate, and then analysis the datum.Results:Among 150 T2DM insomnia patients, 41 cases (27.33%) were in the early midpoint sleep group, 37 cases (24.67%) were in the middle midpoint sleep group, and 72 cases (48.00%) were in the late midpoint sleep group. There were significant differences in the distribution of sex, age and BMI level among different sleep midpoint groups ( χ2=7.24, 13.36, 15.93, all P<0.05). The scores of time to fall asleep at the midpoint of sleep in the 3 groups were (2.12 ± 1.25), (2.65 ± 0.79), (2.33 ± 1.02), the difference was significant ( F=2.14, P<0.05); the daytime disability scores in the 3 groups were (1.39 ± 1.36), (2.16 ± 1.12), (1.85 ± 1.32), the difference was significant ( F=3.17, P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis of disorder showed that the time to fall asleep ( OR=4.922, P<0.05) and daytime disability ( OR=4.043, P<0.05) had significant influence to the middle midpoint of sleep group when the early midpoint of sleep group as the control, while the male ( OR=2.182, P<0.05), 50 - 70 years old ( OR=5.005, P<0.05) and BMI over fat side ( OR=3.488, P<0.05) had significant influence to the late midpoint of sleep group. Conclusions:Medical staff should pay attention to the sleep quality of T2DM patients, pay attention to the sleep midpoint of patients, and improve patients′cognition of healthy sleep patterns.