Objective To understand the epidemiological characteristics of infection in recipients after heart trans-plantation,and provide references for the prevention and control of postoperative infections.Methods Clinical data of 259 heart transplant recipients in a hospital from April 2018 to December 2023 were collected for epidemiological analysis.Results Among 259 heart transplant patients,55 developed 68 episodes of infection during the first hospi-talization after surgery,the incidence of infection was 21.24％,and the case incidence of infection was 26.25％.The main infection sites were lower respiratory tract(n=30,44.12％),blood system(n=21,30.88％),and uri-nary system(n=8,11.76％).Sixty-eight episodes of infections occurred primarily within 10 days after surgery(n=37,54.41％),fo-llowed by within 11-20 days(n=14,20.59％).A total of 74 pathogens were detected from the infected site,mainly Gram-negative bacteria(n=37,50.00％),followed by fungi(n=19,25.68％),Gram-posi-tive bacteria(n=12,16.22％),viruses(n=6,8.11％).The multidrug-resistant rates of Klebsiella pneumoniae,Acinetobacter baumannii,Pseudomonas aeruginosa,and Enterococcus spp.were relatively high(57.1％-100％).During the period from discharge to one year after surgery,31 patients developed 39 episodes of infection,mainly lower respiratory tract infection(n=29,74.36％).Conclusion Heart transplant recipients have a high incidence of postoperative infection,with lower respiratory tract being the main infection site and with a high resistance rate of pathogen.The critical period for infection prevention and control is within 10 days after surgery.

OBJECTIVE To explore the risk factors for postoperative surgical site infection(SSI)in the neurosur-gery department patients undergoing craniocerebral surgeries and establish Nomogram prediction model and verify it.METHODS A total of 1 265 patients who underwent craniocerebral surgeries in neurosurgery department of the First Hospital of Quanzhou City from Jan.2021 to Dec.2022 were recruited as the research subjects.The risk factors for the postoperative SSI were explored by logistic regression model.The Nomogram prediction model was established based on the independent risk factors that were screened by logistic regression analysis,and the model was verified.RESULTS Among 1 265 patients who underwent the craniocerebral surgeries,68 had SSI,with the infection rate of 5.38％.Diabetes mellitus,NNIS score no less than 2 points,NRS2002 score no less than 3 points,operation duration no less than 4.33 hours and drainage tube indwelling time more than 3 days were the independent risk factors for the postoperative SSI in the patients undergoing craniocerebral surgeries(P＜0.05).The area under the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve(AUC)of the established Nomogram pre-diction model was 0.842 in the training group,0.863 in the verification group.the calibration curves were drawn,the goodness of fit of the established Nomogram risk prediction model was assessed by means of Hosmer-Leme-show test;the predicted probability of SSI was highly consistent with the actual probability of infection,with the modeling group(P=0.851),the validation group(P=0.893).CONCLUSIONS The postoperative SSI in the neurosurgery department patients undergoing craniocerebral surgeries is closely associated with the diabe-tes mellitus,NNIS score no less than 2 points,NRS2002 score no less than 3 points,operation duration no less than 4.33 hours and drainage tube indwelling time more than 3 days.The established Nomogram prediction model has high prediction capability and can accurately assess the risk of SSI in the patients.

Next generation sequencing (NGS) technology is playing an increasingly important role in the diagnosis of genetic diseases. Whole exome sequencing (WES), which targets the coding regions of the genome, has been widely used in the diagnosis of genetic diseases for its low cost and high efficiency. However, compared to conventional methods, the Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) process is intricate, and there is variability in the expertise of data analysts and variant interpreters, which may lead to inconsistencies in the outcomes. To ensure the quality of testing and enhance the diagnostic rate of diseases, this consensus has provided recommendations regarding the laboratory setup, operational procedures, data analysis, result interpretation, and quality control for WES, with an aim to standardize its application in the detection of genetic disorders.

OBJECTIVE:To assess the efficacy and safety of acupuncture in treating postmenopausal osteoporosis.METHODS:Clinical randomized controlled trials on acupuncture for postmenopausal osteoporosis were retrieved from databases including CNKI,VIP,WanFang,China Biomedical Literature Service System,Web of Science,PubMed,Embase,and Cochrane Library.The search period was from the inception of the database to July 23,2024.The quality of evidence and risk of bias of the included studies were assessed using the GRADEprofiler and the revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials(RoB 2.0).Meta-analysis was performed using StataSE 15 and TSA 0.9.5,along with heterogeneity analysis,sensitivity analysis,subgroup analysis,publication bias analysis,trim-and-fill analysis,and trial sequential analysis.RESULTS:The study included 19 randomized controlled trials involving a total of 1 464 patients.(1)The meta-analysis revealed that compared with conventional therapies,acupuncture significantly increased the total effective rate(RR=1.25,95％confidence interval[1.19,1.32],P＜0.001),lumbar spine L2-L4 bone mineral density(mean difference=0.08,95％confidence interval[0.05,0.11],P＜0.001),and estrogen levels(standard mean difference=0.55,95％confidence interval[0.30,0.81],P＜0.001).Additionally,acupuncture increased bone mineral density and gonadotropin levels in the femoral neck,greater trochanter,and Ward's triangle,reduced visual analogue scale scores,and improved bone metabolism without significantly increasing the incidence of adverse events.(2)Subgroup analysis of the main outcome indicators showed no significant difference between the treatment and control groups when the body mass index was greater than 23.9 kg/m2 and the total treatment duration was 6 months.All other treatment subgroups were significantly superior to the control group.(3)Publication bias analysis indicated a significant risk of publication bias in the overall efficacy;however,a trim-and-fill analysis showed that this risk did not significantly impact the reliability of the conclusions.Publication bias analysis showed no significant risk of publication bias in the bone mineral density values of lumbar spine L2-L4 and estradiol levels.(4)The sequential analysis of the trial further confirmed that acupuncture significantly increased the overall effective rate,bone mineral density values at the lumbar spine L1-L4,and estradiol levels.CONCLUSION:Acupuncture is an effective and safe treatment for postmenopausal osteoporosis.More rigorously designed and high-quality studies are needed in the future to verify this conclusion.

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are proposed to account for the progression, metastasis, and recurrence of diverse malignancies. However, the disorganized vasculars in tumors hinder the accumulation and penetration of nanomedicines, posing a challenge in eliminating CSCs located distantly from blood vessels. Herein, a pair of twin-like small-sized nanoparticles, sunitinib (St)-loaded ROS responsive micelles (RM@St) and salinomycin (SAL)-loaded GSH responsive micelles (GM@SAL), are developed to normalize disordered tumor vessels and eradicate CSCs. RM@St releases sunitinib in response to the abundant ROS in the tumor extracellular microenvironment for tumor vessel normalization, which improved intratumor accumulation and homogeneous distribution of small-sized GM@SAL. Sequentially, GM@SAL effectively accesses CSCs and achieves reduction-responsive drug release at high GSH concentrations within CSCs. More importantly, RM@St significantly extends the window of vessel normalization and enhances vessel integrity compared to free sunitinib, thus further amplifying the anti-tumor effect of GM@SAL. The combination therapy of RM@St plus GM@SAL produces considerable depression of tumor growth, drastically reducing CSCs fractions to 5.6% and resulting in 78.4% inhibition of lung metastasis. This study offers novel insights into rational nanomedicines designed for superior therapeutic effects by vascular normalization and anti-CSCs therapy.

BACKGROUND: The achievement of an optimal return to sport (RTS) has remained a key goal after sports-related injuries, with the ongoing debate on the effectiveness of different surgical approaches for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture. This study aims to assess clinical outcomes and RTS across various surgical methods, such as anatomical single-bundle reconstruction (ASBR), central-axial single-bundle reconstruction (CASBR), and double-bundle reconstruction (DBR). METHODS: A randomized clinical trial was conducted, comprising 191 patients who underwent ACL rupture. These patients were divided into three groups based on the ACL reconstruction techniques they received (ASBR, CASBR, DBR). Over the 2-year follow-up period, the study assessed RTS through four single-hop tests, isokinetic extension tests, and limb asymmetry indices. Postoperative graft status was determined using the signal-to-noise quotient (SNQ), while knee function was evaluated using the International Knee Documentation Committee 2000 (IKDC-2000) score, Lysholm score, Tegner score, and degree of knee laxity. A binary logistic regression model was developed to forecast the factors influencing ideal RTS. RESULTS: DBR (67.63%) and CASBR (58.00%) exhibited higher RTS passing rates compared to ASBR (30.39%; χ2 = 19.57, P <0.05). Quadriceps strength symmetry in the lower limbs was identified as the key determinant of RTS ( χ2 = 17.08, P <0.05). The RTS rate was influenced by SNQs of the graft's tibial site (odds ratio: 0.544) and quadriceps strength of the reconstructed knee joint at 60°/s (odds ratio: 6.346). Notably, the DBR group showed enhanced knee stability, evidenced by superior results in the Lachman test ( χ2 = 13.49, P <0.01), objective IKDC-2000 ( χ2 = 27.02, P = 0.002), and anterior instability test ( χ2 = 9.46, P <0.01). Furthermore, DBR demonstrated superior clinical outcomes based on the Lysholm score (DBR: 89.57 ± 7.72, CASBR: 83.00 ± 12.71, ASBR: 83.21 ± 11.95; F = 10.452, P <0.01) and IKDC-2000 score (DBR: 90.95 ± 7.00, CASBR: 84.64 ± 12.68, ASBR: 83.63 ± 11.41; F = 11.78, P <0.01). CONCLUSION: For patients with ACL rupture, more ideal RTS rate and clinical outcomes were shown in the DBR group than in the ASBR and CASBR groups. Autograft status and quadriceps strength are postively related to RTS. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05400460).
Humans ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction/methods* ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries/surgery* ; Young Adult ; Return to Sport ; Adolescent ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament/surgery* ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To explore the correlation of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome elements with language function and activities of daily living(ADL)in patients suffering post-stroke aphasia(PSA).Methods Ninety-eight PSA patients hospitalized at the College of Rehabilitation Medicine,Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from April 2023 to April 2024 were selected.The language function,TCM syndrome elements,and their correlations were analyzed.Results(1)Among PSA patients,males outnumbered females.PSA patients exhibited different performances on various aphasia-related scales,with language impairments mainly concentrated in naming and spontaneous speech.(2)The distribution of TCM syndrome elements varied in PSA patients with different age groups.In the age group＜50 years old,qi obstruction(100.00%),phlegm syndrome(100.00%),and dampness syndrome(100.00%)were predominant.In the age group of 50-59 years old,phlegm syndrome(100.00%)and yang hyperactivity syndrome(96.30%)were predominant.In the age group of 60-69 years old,phlegm syndrome(100.00%)and yang hyperactivity syndrome(96.15%)were also predominant.In the age group of 70-79 years old,qi deficiency syndrome(100.00%)was predominant.In the age group of 80-89 years old,syndromes such as qi insecurity,qi obstruction,qi deficiency,phlegm,yang hyperactivity,blood stasis,wind stirring,and blood cold were concentrated(all 100.00%).However,there were no statistically significant differences in the distribution of TCM syndrome elements among various age groups(P＞0.05).(3)The distribution of deficiency and excess syndrome elements varied in PSA patients with different genders.Among deficiency syndrome elements,yang hyperactivity,qi deficiency,and yin deficiency were predominant in males,while yang hyperactivity,qi deficiency,and blood deficiency were predominant in females.Among excess syndrome elements,phlegm syndrome,qi obstruction,and dampness syndrome were predominant in males,while phlegm syndrome,qi obstruction,and qi stagnation syndrome were predominant in females.However,there were no statistically significant differences in the distribution of deficiency and excess syndrome elements between genders(P＞0.05).(4)After controlling the factors of age group and gender,partial correlation analysis of syndrome elements and language function showed that among the disease-location syndrome elements,spontaneous naming(r=-0.588,P=0.027)and sematic cued naming(r=-0.558,P=0.038)in the Boston Naming Test(BNT)were negatively correlated with the large intestine;among the disease-nature syndrome elements,BNT sematic cued naming(r=0.821,P＜0.001)was positively correlated with qi sinking,while BNT spontaneous naming was negatively correlated with blood heat(r=-0.544,P=0.044)and was positively correlated with fluid depletion(r=0.860,P=0.028);BNT recognitive naming was positively correlated with external wind(r=0.966,P=0.034);errors in BNT sematic cued naming were negatively correlated with qi sinking(r=-0.540,P=0.005);the Modified Barthel Index(MBI)was positively correlated with essence deficiency(r=0.572,P=0.021).Conclusion The TCM syndrome elements of phlegm,qi block,yang hyperactivity,and qi deficiency are commonly seen in PSA patients.There is a certain correlation of language function and ADL with TCM syndrome elements in PSA patients.

In February 2023, a 48-year-old male with cough and expectoration was admitted to the Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine of Peking University People’s Hospital. CT indicated mediastinal soft-tissue mass under the tracheal carina. Meta-genomics next generation sequencing of mediastinal abscess suggested infection with Tropheryma whipplei, which was positive for periodic acid-Schiff staining. The patient had no history of diarrhea, weight loss, or joint pain. The patient was diagnosed with Whipple’s disease and treated with ceftriaxone followed by trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole therapy. After 1-year post-discharge therapy, the patieny’s symptoms and general condition improved significantly, and remained to follow.

OBJECTIVE To explore the risk factors for postoperative surgical site infection(SSI)in the neurosur-gery department patients undergoing craniocerebral surgeries and establish Nomogram prediction model and verify it.METHODS A total of 1 265 patients who underwent craniocerebral surgeries in neurosurgery department of the First Hospital of Quanzhou City from Jan.2021 to Dec.2022 were recruited as the research subjects.The risk factors for the postoperative SSI were explored by logistic regression model.The Nomogram prediction model was established based on the independent risk factors that were screened by logistic regression analysis,and the model was verified.RESULTS Among 1 265 patients who underwent the craniocerebral surgeries,68 had SSI,with the infection rate of 5.38％.Diabetes mellitus,NNIS score no less than 2 points,NRS2002 score no less than 3 points,operation duration no less than 4.33 hours and drainage tube indwelling time more than 3 days were the independent risk factors for the postoperative SSI in the patients undergoing craniocerebral surgeries(P＜0.05).The area under the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve(AUC)of the established Nomogram pre-diction model was 0.842 in the training group,0.863 in the verification group.the calibration curves were drawn,the goodness of fit of the established Nomogram risk prediction model was assessed by means of Hosmer-Leme-show test;the predicted probability of SSI was highly consistent with the actual probability of infection,with the modeling group(P=0.851),the validation group(P=0.893).CONCLUSIONS The postoperative SSI in the neurosurgery department patients undergoing craniocerebral surgeries is closely associated with the diabe-tes mellitus,NNIS score no less than 2 points,NRS2002 score no less than 3 points,operation duration no less than 4.33 hours and drainage tube indwelling time more than 3 days.The established Nomogram prediction model has high prediction capability and can accurately assess the risk of SSI in the patients.

Objective To understand the epidemiological characteristics of infection in recipients after heart trans-plantation,and provide references for the prevention and control of postoperative infections.Methods Clinical data of 259 heart transplant recipients in a hospital from April 2018 to December 2023 were collected for epidemiological analysis.Results Among 259 heart transplant patients,55 developed 68 episodes of infection during the first hospi-talization after surgery,the incidence of infection was 21.24％,and the case incidence of infection was 26.25％.The main infection sites were lower respiratory tract(n=30,44.12％),blood system(n=21,30.88％),and uri-nary system(n=8,11.76％).Sixty-eight episodes of infections occurred primarily within 10 days after surgery(n=37,54.41％),fo-llowed by within 11-20 days(n=14,20.59％).A total of 74 pathogens were detected from the infected site,mainly Gram-negative bacteria(n=37,50.00％),followed by fungi(n=19,25.68％),Gram-posi-tive bacteria(n=12,16.22％),viruses(n=6,8.11％).The multidrug-resistant rates of Klebsiella pneumoniae,Acinetobacter baumannii,Pseudomonas aeruginosa,and Enterococcus spp.were relatively high(57.1％-100％).During the period from discharge to one year after surgery,31 patients developed 39 episodes of infection,mainly lower respiratory tract infection(n=29,74.36％).Conclusion Heart transplant recipients have a high incidence of postoperative infection,with lower respiratory tract being the main infection site and with a high resistance rate of pathogen.The critical period for infection prevention and control is within 10 days after surgery.