Objective:To evaluate the elbow joint function of patients with endemic skeletal fluorosis based on Mayo elbow joint function score and to study its application value.Methods:Based on the monitoring results of drinking water-borne endemic fluorosis in Gansu Province from 2018 to 2023, and the results of the 2019 survey on the current cases of endemic diseases, 8 typical endemic counties were selected from 48 counties with drinking water-borne endemic fluorosis. A cluster sampling method was used to investigate all adult skeletal fluorosis patients over 25 years old in the endemic fluorosis villages under the jurisdiction of the 8 counties. A total of 1 096 skeletal fluorosis patients were included as study subjects. By extracting demographic basic information, follow-up records, elbow joint X-ray films, diagnostic information, and the Mayo elbow joint function score scale of patients, a retrospective analysis was conducted on the distribution characteristics of the Mayo elbow joint function score in different genders, ages, clinical grades, disease duration, and Kellgren-Lawrence (K-L) grading of osteoarthritis.Results:(1) The distribution of total scores on the scale: 638 cases (58.21%) were rated as "poor" (< 60 points), 345 cases (31.48%) were rated as "fair" (60 - 74 points), 96 cases (8.76%) were rated as "good" (75 - 89 points), and 17 cases (1.55%) were rated as "excellent" (≥90 points). There were statistically significant differences in the total score grading of the scale among patients with different genders, ages, clinical grades, disease duration, and K-L grading of osteoarthritis (χ 2 = 44.90, 147.20, 264.41, 211.96, 262.85, P < 0.001). (2) The scores of each dimension of the scale: the joint stability dimension scores were compared among different ages, clinical grades, disease duration, and K-L grading of osteoarthritis, and the differences were statistically significant ( P < 0.05). The scores of joint pain, range of motion, and daily living ability dimensions were compared among different genders, ages, clinical grades, disease duration, and K-L grading of osteoarthritis, and the differences were statistically significant ( P < 0.05). Conclusions:Based on the Mayo elbow joint function score scale, patients with endemic skeletal fluorosis have relatively poor elbow joint function. The scores of each dimension of the scale are influenced by factors such as genders, ages, clinical grades, disease duration, and joint degeneration. The distribution of scale scores is consistent with the clinical reality of endemic skeletal fluorosis and has certain application value in assessing disease condition.

Objective:To study the current prevalence and temporal patterns of Keshan disease in Gansu Province, thereby establishing a scientific foundation for development of targeted prevention and control strategies.Methods:From March 2019 to October 2021, monitoring of Keshan disease was conducted in all affected townships (towns) across 28 counties (districts, cities) in Gansu Province. Demographic data were collected from affected villages, and suspected chronic Keshan disease cases were identified through village clinics, township health centers, county hospitals, and other medical institutions. These suspected cases were diagnostically verified according to the "Diagnosis of Keshan Disease" (WS/T 210-2011). Current chronic Keshan disease cases underwent re-examination and follow-up monitoring.Results:There were a total of 254 endemic townships (towns) and 2 611 endemic villages across the province, with a permanent resident population of 3.667 1 million in the affected areas. New cases of chronic Keshan disease continued to emerge throughout the study period, totaling 6 cases. From 2020 to 2021, among the total number of chronic Keshan disease cases, 88.92% (923/1 038) remained stable in condition, while mortality cases accounted for 9.54% (99/1 038). Over the past three years, there were 886 males and 687 females with current chronic Keshan disease, mainly aged between 50 and 60 years old, accounting for 38.78% (610/1 573).Conclusions:While Keshan disease in Gansu Province maintains a sustained level of elimination, new chronic cases continue to emerge. It is essential to enhance disease surveillance efforts, and effectively consolidate the achievements in Keshan disease prevention and control measures.

Objective:To study the current prevalence and temporal patterns of Keshan disease in Gansu Province, thereby establishing a scientific foundation for development of targeted prevention and control strategies.Methods:From March 2019 to October 2021, monitoring of Keshan disease was conducted in all affected townships (towns) across 28 counties (districts, cities) in Gansu Province. Demographic data were collected from affected villages, and suspected chronic Keshan disease cases were identified through village clinics, township health centers, county hospitals, and other medical institutions. These suspected cases were diagnostically verified according to the "Diagnosis of Keshan Disease" (WS/T 210-2011). Current chronic Keshan disease cases underwent re-examination and follow-up monitoring.Results:There were a total of 254 endemic townships (towns) and 2 611 endemic villages across the province, with a permanent resident population of 3.667 1 million in the affected areas. New cases of chronic Keshan disease continued to emerge throughout the study period, totaling 6 cases. From 2020 to 2021, among the total number of chronic Keshan disease cases, 88.92% (923/1 038) remained stable in condition, while mortality cases accounted for 9.54% (99/1 038). Over the past three years, there were 886 males and 687 females with current chronic Keshan disease, mainly aged between 50 and 60 years old, accounting for 38.78% (610/1 573).Conclusions:While Keshan disease in Gansu Province maintains a sustained level of elimination, new chronic cases continue to emerge. It is essential to enhance disease surveillance efforts, and effectively consolidate the achievements in Keshan disease prevention and control measures.

Objective:To evaluate the elbow joint function of patients with endemic skeletal fluorosis based on Mayo elbow joint function score and to study its application value.Methods:Based on the monitoring results of drinking water-borne endemic fluorosis in Gansu Province from 2018 to 2023, and the results of the 2019 survey on the current cases of endemic diseases, 8 typical endemic counties were selected from 48 counties with drinking water-borne endemic fluorosis. A cluster sampling method was used to investigate all adult skeletal fluorosis patients over 25 years old in the endemic fluorosis villages under the jurisdiction of the 8 counties. A total of 1 096 skeletal fluorosis patients were included as study subjects. By extracting demographic basic information, follow-up records, elbow joint X-ray films, diagnostic information, and the Mayo elbow joint function score scale of patients, a retrospective analysis was conducted on the distribution characteristics of the Mayo elbow joint function score in different genders, ages, clinical grades, disease duration, and Kellgren-Lawrence (K-L) grading of osteoarthritis.Results:(1) The distribution of total scores on the scale: 638 cases (58.21%) were rated as "poor" (< 60 points), 345 cases (31.48%) were rated as "fair" (60 - 74 points), 96 cases (8.76%) were rated as "good" (75 - 89 points), and 17 cases (1.55%) were rated as "excellent" (≥90 points). There were statistically significant differences in the total score grading of the scale among patients with different genders, ages, clinical grades, disease duration, and K-L grading of osteoarthritis (χ 2 = 44.90, 147.20, 264.41, 211.96, 262.85, P < 0.001). (2) The scores of each dimension of the scale: the joint stability dimension scores were compared among different ages, clinical grades, disease duration, and K-L grading of osteoarthritis, and the differences were statistically significant ( P < 0.05). The scores of joint pain, range of motion, and daily living ability dimensions were compared among different genders, ages, clinical grades, disease duration, and K-L grading of osteoarthritis, and the differences were statistically significant ( P < 0.05). Conclusions:Based on the Mayo elbow joint function score scale, patients with endemic skeletal fluorosis have relatively poor elbow joint function. The scores of each dimension of the scale are influenced by factors such as genders, ages, clinical grades, disease duration, and joint degeneration. The distribution of scale scores is consistent with the clinical reality of endemic skeletal fluorosis and has certain application value in assessing disease condition.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of overweight/obesity and its associations with sleep duration among children and adolescents aged 6-17 in Gansu Province, so as to formulate tailored prevention and control strategies and intervention measures. Methods: Using a multi stage stratified cluster random sampling method, a questionnaire survey and physical examination were conducted among 2 172 students aged 6-17 from 2 monitoring points in Gansu Province from May to July 2022. Using Chi square test to analyze the inter group differences in the detection rates of overweight and obesity and the composition of sleep duration, and using Logistic regression model to analyze the correlation between overweight and obesity and sleep duration. Results: The prevalence of overweight and obesity were 10.45% and 6.86%, respectively. The average sleep duration was ( 8.28 ±1.66)h/d. The detection rate of overweight was high among high school students aged 16-17 and those with sleep duration<8 h/d ( χ 2=12.51, 19.32, 14.96), while the detection rate of obesity was high among male and non residential students ( χ 2= 5.89 , 9.59)( P ＜0.05). For both boys and girls, the rates of overweight and obesity among primary school students increased with the decrease in sleep duration ( χ 2=38.84, 9.80, 19.61, 41.60, P <0.05). The rates of obesity in boys were higher than girls across varying sleep durations among the general population (sleep duration <8 h/d: 6.07%, 11.11%, 8~<9 h/d: 5.76%, 6.09 %, 9~<10 h/d: 6.02%, 8.19 %, ≥10 h/d: 4.04%, 6.90%). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that insufficient sleep duration among primary school students was positively associated with the risk of overweight and obesity, and adequate sleep duration among high school students was negatively associated with the risk of overweight and obesity (sleep duration 8~<9 h/d: OR primary school students = 1.89 , 9~< 10 h/d: OR primary school students =1.54, 8~<9 h/d: OR high school students =0.30, P <0.05). Conclusions Insufficient sleep is a risk factor for overweight and obesity among primary and secondary school students at monitoring sites in Gansu Province. Prevention strategies and interventions should be developed for different populations to ensure adequate sleep duration and reduce the risk of overweight and obesity among primary and secondary school students.

Objective:To study the correlation between serum N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) level and echocardiographic parameters in patients with chronic Keshan disease, providing reference for diagnosis and prognosis evaluation of chronic Keshan disease.Methods:Ninety-nine patients with chronic Keshan disease who received standardized treatment at Jingchuan County People's Hospital in Pingliang City, Gansu Province from January to December 2020 were selected. Among them, 16 patients were classified as cardiac function grade Ⅱ according to New York Heart Association (NYHA), 69 as grade Ⅲ and 14 as grade Ⅳ. The patients underwent echocardiography and their serum NT-proBNP level was measured using fluorescence immunochromatography. The differences in serum NT-proBNP levels among patients with different cardiac function grades were compared, and the correlation between cardiac function grades, serum NT-proBNP level and echocardiographic parameters was analyzed.Results:The serum NT-proBNP levels in patients with cardiac function grades Ⅱ, Ⅲ, and Ⅳ were (1 107.26 ± 268.03), (2 125.98 ± 293.02), and (8 268.59 ± 2 659.50) pg/ml, respectively. The differences among the three groups were statistically significant ( F = 13.94, P < 0.001). The serum NT-proBNP level was positively correlated with cardiac function grades ( r = 0.44, P < 0.001), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, left ventricular end-systolic diameter, and left atrial diameter ( r = 0.45, 0.52, 0.38, P < 0.001), and negatively correlated with fractional shortening and left ventricular ejection fraction ( r = - 0.39, - 0.46, P < 0.001). Conclusions:The serum NT-proBNP level in patients with chronic Keshan disease with different cardiac function grades is different, and is positively correlated with echocardiographic parameters reflecting the degree of cardiac structural and functional impairment. The NT-proBNP level may become an early diagnostic, grading, and prognostic indicator for chronic Keshan disease.

Objective:To evaluate the application of the standard of "Delimitation and Classification of Keshan Disease Areas" (GB 17020-2010, Standard for short), learn about the applicability of its technical indicators and requirements, and provide a basis for revision of the Standard.Methods:In March 2022, provinces with severe epidemic areas of Keshan disease or new cases reported in recent years were selected, including Gansu Province, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Shandong Province, Shaanxi Province, Yunnan Province, Shanxi Province, Liaoning Province, and Chongqing City. Multi-stage stratified sampling method and questionnaire survey were adopted to collect information on the application of Standard by relevant health institutions.Results:A total of 448 questionnaires were collected, including 445 valid. The survey results showed that 87.64% (390/445) of the respondents were aware of the Standard, and 64.72% (288/445) had received training on the Standard. Eighty-two point two per cent (365/445) of the respondents believed that the Standard was simple and easy to operate, 83.82% (373/445) believed that the determination of the diseased townships was scientific and reasonable, and could be effectively implemented, and 83.60% (372/445) believed that the determination of historical epidemic areas was applicable to the current situation of Keshan disease; 38.88% (173/445), 38.20% (170/445), and 37.98% (169/445) of the respondents believed that the classification indicators for classifying epidemic areas (severe, moderate, and mild epidemic areas) were not applicable to the current situation of the disease in the local or provinces with Keshan disease, respectively. Among the indicators for epidemic areas classification, 30.79% (137/445), 29.21% (130/445), and 28.54% (127/445) of the respondents thought that the annual prevalence, the annual number of new cases and the annual incidence were most suitable for classification of Keshan disease areas.Conclusions:The Standard has been applied well in practice. However, based on the current situation of Keshan disease, it is suggested to redefine the standard for the severity of the disease and the classification of historical epidemic areas.

Objective:To evaluate the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of concise health status questionnaire (SF-36 scale) in evaluating the quality of life of patients with chronic Keshan disease, and to provide a scientific basis for studying the quality of life and the evaluation of treatment and rehabilitation of this population.Methods:In the August 2017, using cluster random sampling method, 175 patients with chronic Keshan disease treated by self-management of family beds in Pingliang City, Gansu Province in 2017 were selected as survey subjects, and demographic and disease data were collected. The Chinese version of SF-36 scale was used to investigate the quality of life. Split-half reliability and Cronbach's α coefficient were used to evaluate the reliability of the SF-36 scale; the factor analysis, correlation and differences between groups were used to evaluate the validity of the SF-36 scale.Results:The split-half reliability value of SF-36 scale was 0.916, and the Cronbach's α coefficient was 0.869. Factor analysis extracted 3 common factors from 8 dimensions of SF-36 scale, and the cumulative contribution rate of the 3 common factors to the total variance was 72.08%. In addition to the correlation coefficient ( r) between Role-Emotional and Bodily Pain dimension, the r value between total score and the scores of each dimension, and the scores of each dimension of SF-36 scale were 0.140 - 0.769. Except for the Bodily Pain dimension, there were statistically significant differences in the scores of Physiological Functioning, Role-Physical, General Health, Vitality, Social Functioning, Role-Emotional, and Mental Health dimension of the quality of life of patients with different grades of cardiac function ( F = 4.66, 10.73, 6.77, 14.61, 5.58, 9.57, 7.10, P < 0.05). Conclusion:The Chinese version of SF-36 scale has good reliability and validity in evaluating the quality of life of patients with chronic Keshan disease, and can be used to evaluate the quality of life of the patients.

Objective:To evaluate the reliability and validity of Chinese version of Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ) scale among patients with chronic Keshan disease.Methods:The patients with chronic Keshan disease diagnosed in Keshan disease area of Gansu Province from August 2018 to April 2020 were selected as the survey subjects to analyze the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of MLHFQ scale in evaluating the quality of life of patients with chronic Keshan disease. To evaluate the reliability of MLHFQ scale, the Cronbach's α coefficient was used, and when the Cronbach's α coefficient > 0.8 indicated that the consistency reliability of the scale was good. Kaider-Meyer-Olkin(KMO) statistic and Barlett's sphericity test were used to evaluate whether the scale was suitable for factor analysis (applicable when KMO > 0.6 and Barlett's sphericity test P < 0.05). The principal component analysis and maximum variance method of exploratory factor analysis were used to extract common factors, and the structural validity of the scale was evaluated. The discrimination validity of the scale was evaluated by New York Heart Association (NYHA) cardiac function classification and analysis of variance. Pearson correlation analysis was used to evaluate the content validity of the scale. Results:A total of 333 questionnaires were collected, of which 329 were valid. There were 180 males and 149 females, aged (59.52 ± 9.26) years. The Cronbach's α coefficient of the Chinese version of MLHFQ scale was 0.95 ( > 0.8). Among them, the Cronbach's α coefficients in the physical domain, emotional domain and other domains were 0.93, 0.91 and 0.86, respectively ( > 0.8). The KMO value of the Chinese version of MLHFQ scale was 0.95 ( > 0.6), and Barlett's sphericity test rejected the hypothesis (χ 2 = 5 222.01, P < 0.05). Principal component analysis and maximum variance method were used to extract 3 common factors, which were named kinetic energy of life, physical condition and emotional condition, respectively. The cumulative contribution rate of principal components was 66.22% ( > 50%). Compared with patients with NYHA cardiac function grade Ⅱ and patients with grade Ⅲ and Ⅳ, there were significant differences in the physical domain, other domain and total score ( P < 0.001). The Pearson correlation coefficients between the physical, emotional, and other domains and their respective items ranged from 0.74 to 0.88, 0.78 to 0.90, and 0.56 to 0.80, respectively, and the correlation coefficients between each item and its domain were all > 0.5 ( P < 0.001). Conclusion:The Chinese version of MLHFQ scale has good reliability and validity in patients with chronic Keshan disease in Gansu Province, and can be used to evaluate the quality of life of patients with chronic Keshan disease.

Objective    To explore the surgical technique and preliminary results of endoscopic nipple-sparing mastectomy (E-NSM) and immediate pre-pectoral implant-based breast reconstruction (BR) with titanium-coated polypropylene mesh (TiLoop Bra) via single axillary incision for breast cancer patients. Methods    The clinical data of 9 consecutive female patients who underwent E-NSM and immediate pre-pectoral implant-based BR with TiLoop Bra from  March to May 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. The mean age of patients was 40.6 (22-60) years. The operation time, early complications were collected, and the patients' social and mental health, breast satisfaction and chest function before and after the operation were assessed with the BREAST-Q questionnaire. Results    All the patients had unicentric tumor with a mean diameter of 2.4 (0.6-4.7) cm. The mean distance from the tumor to the nipple was 2.5 (2-4) cm. There were 2 patients with tumor stage 0 and 7 patients with stageⅠ. The mean operation time was 161.1 (125-201) min, the mean blood loss was 41.1 mL and the hospital stay time was 1.5 d. There were 5 patients in the day-care unit. All the patients were successfully followed up with a median follow-up time of 1 (1-2) month. One (11.1%) patient with depigmentation of the nipple-areola complex caused by mild ischemia. None of the patients had incision complications, subcutaneous emphysema, hematoma, infection, nipple-areola or skin flaps necrosis, implant loss. During the follow-up period, no local/regional recurrence or distant metastasis was found. Chest well-being was decreased in the first month after the surgery compared with preoperative status, and the difference was statistically significant (P=0.001). There was no statistical difference in the breast satisfaction or psychosocial function scores between pre- and post-operation (P>0.05). Conclusion    E-NSM and immediate pre-pectoral implant-based BR with TiLoop Bra via single axillary incision has minimal trauma, rapid postoperative recovery, short operation time, few early complications and good early cosmetic effect, and the short-term result is satisfactory.