Objective:To evaluate the levels and source of cadmium exposure by dietary pathway among middle-aged and elderly people ≥40 in cadmium-contaminated areas of China.Methods:A total of 7 193 people aged 40-89 years from four typical cadmium-contaminated areas in China were selected as the study subjects. Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ), Total Diet Study (TDS) and a 3-day-24-hour dietary recall survey were conducted. Dietary cadmium intake and food sources through dietary pathways were assessed based on cadmium content in foods, consumption amounts and intake frequencies.Results:The mean age of the participants was 63.39±12.21 years, with 50.05% being males. The average monthly dietary cadmium intake was 7.39 μg/(kg·BW). Staple foods and vegetables were the primary sources of dietary cadmium intake, accounting for 57.51% and 32.48%, respectively. The monthly dietary cadmium intake in all surveyed regions did not exceed the Provisional Tolerable Monthly Intake (PTMI) recommended by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA).Conclusion:The monthly dietary cadmium intake among middle-aged and elderly people in cadmium-contaminated areas of China is relatively low, with the risk remaining at an acceptable level. Staple foods and vegetables are the most significant contributors to dietary cadmium intake.

Objective To observe the characteristics of gut microbiota in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)with different traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome types,and to further explore the key microbial communities and functional differences affecting syndrome differentiation.Methods A total of 45 patients who visited the Department of Geriatrics,Hunan Provincial Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine in 2023 were enrolled.These included 15 T2DM patients with qi-yin deficiency and blood stasis syndrome(Group A),15 T2DM patients with qi-yin deficiency syndrome(Group B),and 15 non-diabetic patients from the same period(Group C).Fecal samples were collected,and 16S rRNA sequencing and analysis were performed.Results 1)A total of 1 564 operational taxonomic units(OTUs)were obtained from the three groups of patients,with 224,127,and 351 unique OTUs identified in Groups A,B and C,respectively.2)Both α-and β-diversity analyses indicated differences among the gut microbiota of the three groups.For instance,in the α-diversity analysis,the Sobs index showed significant inter-group differences(P＜0.01).Group A(264.00±88.84)was significantly higher than Group B(145.90±87.0)(P＜0.01),while Group B was significantly lower than Group C(229.7±112.4)(P＜0.05).In the β-diversity analysis,the principal coordinate analysis(PCoA)indicated a clear separation among groups(R=0.1610,P＜0.01).The R values in the Anosim/Adonis analysis ranged from 0.144 to 0.196,and the R2 values ranged from 0.067 to 0.083,all indicating differences in inter-group comparisons(P＜0.01).3)At the phylum level,Firmicutes,Actinobacteriota,and Bacteroidota were predominant in all groups.Among them,Bacteroidota exhibited significant inter-group differences(P＜0.05),with its abundance in Group A being significantly higher than that in Group B(P＜0.01).4)Analysis of differences in microbiota composition,combined with linear discriminant analysis effect size(LEfSe)and Random Forest analysis,revealed that,at the genus level,the microbiota biomarkers between Group A and Group B were Parabacteroides,Bacteroides,g_unclassified_f_Lachnospiraceae,Roseburia,and Aspergillus,those between Group B and Group C were Erysipelotrichaceae_UCG-003 and Ruminococcus,and those between Group A and Group C were Parabacteroides,Anaerotruncus,and Oscillibacter.The results were validated by receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis,which suggested that the microbiota biomarkers between Group A and Group B(AUC=0.91;95％CI,0.80-1.00),Group B and Group C(AUC=0.84;95％CI,0.69-0.99),Group A and Group C(AUC=0.87;95％CI,0.75-0.99)had good diagnostic efficacy.5)The study identified 116 major pathways with inter-group differences through Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)analysis.For example,the enrichment degree of ABC transporter pathway in Group A(2.58±0.36)was significantly lower than those in Group B(2.90±0.48)and Group C(3.11±0.66)(P＜0.05).These pathways were associated with metabolism and environmental information processing.g.Conclusion The differences in the gut microbiota characteristics and functions among patients with specific TCM syndromes of T2DM may provide references for TCM syndrome differentiation and therapeutic mechanisms.

The biological nitrogen removal technology utilizing heterotrophic nitrification-aerobic denitrification (HN-AD) bacteria has shown effectiveness in wastewater treatment. However, the nitrogen removal efficiency of HN-AD bacteria significantly decreases as the salinity increases. To tackle the challenge of treating high-salt and high-nitrogen wastewater, we isolated a moderately halophilic HN-AD strain 5505 from a salt lake in Xinjiang. The strain was identified based on morphological, physiological, and biochemical characteristics and the 16S rRNA gene sequence. Single-factor experiments were carried out with NH₄⁺-N, NO₃^--N, and NO₂^--N as sole or mixed nitrogen sources to study the nitrifying effect, denitrifying effect, and nitrogen metabolism pathway of the strain. The strain was identified as Halomonas sp.. It can grow in the presence of 1%-25% (W/V) NaCl and exhibited efficient nitrogen removal ability in the presence of 3%-8% NaCl. At the optimal NaCl concentration (8%), the strain showed the NH₄⁺-N, NO₃^--N and NO₂^--N removal rates of 100.0%, 94.11% and 74.43%, respectively. Strain 5505 removed inorganic nitrogen mainly by assimilation, which accounted for over 62.68% of total nitrogen removal. In the presence of mixed nitrogen sources, strain 5505 showed a preference for utilizing ammonia, with a potential HN-AD pathway of NH₄⁺→NH₂OH→NO₂^-→NO₃^-→NO₂^-→NO/N₂O/N₂. The findings provide efficient salt-tolerant bacterial resources, enhance our understanding of biological nitrogen removal, and contribute to the nitrogen removal efficiency improvement in the treatment of high-salt and high-nitrogen wastewater.
Halomonas/classification* ; Nitrogen/isolation & purification* ; Denitrification ; Nitrification ; Wastewater/microbiology* ; Aerobiosis ; Biodegradation, Environmental ; Salinity

Objective:To evaluate the levels and source of cadmium exposure by dietary pathway among middle-aged and elderly people ≥40 in cadmium-contaminated areas of China.Methods:A total of 7 193 people aged 40-89 years from four typical cadmium-contaminated areas in China were selected as the study subjects. Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ), Total Diet Study (TDS) and a 3-day-24-hour dietary recall survey were conducted. Dietary cadmium intake and food sources through dietary pathways were assessed based on cadmium content in foods, consumption amounts and intake frequencies.Results:The mean age of the participants was 63.39±12.21 years, with 50.05% being males. The average monthly dietary cadmium intake was 7.39 μg/(kg·BW). Staple foods and vegetables were the primary sources of dietary cadmium intake, accounting for 57.51% and 32.48%, respectively. The monthly dietary cadmium intake in all surveyed regions did not exceed the Provisional Tolerable Monthly Intake (PTMI) recommended by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA).Conclusion:The monthly dietary cadmium intake among middle-aged and elderly people in cadmium-contaminated areas of China is relatively low, with the risk remaining at an acceptable level. Staple foods and vegetables are the most significant contributors to dietary cadmium intake.

Objective:Analyze the mediating and moderating effects of the relationship between food intake and blood glucose levels.Methods:This study uses data from the China Health and Nutrition Survey project in the survey 2018, involving 11 043 adults aged 18 years or older, who have complete dietary data, waist circumference (WC), glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) indicators, and other key variables. Food consumption data was gathered via three consecutive 24-hour dietary recalls and weighing accounting method, which included two weekdays and one weekend day. The average daily intake of various foods and total energy intake were calculated. The mediation effect and moderation effect analysis were conducted using simple mediation models, direct moderation effect models, and moderated mediation analysis theoretical models. The confidence interval method (bootstrap method) was performed for testing and analysis.Results:A total of 4 951 males and 6 092 females were included in the stratified analysis by gender. The mediating effects on the rice, wheat, and red meat→WC→HbA1c were all statistically significant in males. The standardized coefficients were -0.009 ( P<0.001), 0.013 ( P<0.001), and -0.005 ( P=0.008), respectively. In females, the mediating effect on the wheat→WC→HbA1c was statistically significant, and the standardized coefficient was 0.017 ( P<0.001); the impact of red meat intake on HbA1c is negatively regulated by the intake of dark vegetables, with a direct moderating effect; the standardized coefficient of the interaction term between red meat and dark vegetables was -0.024 ( P=0.008). Dark vegetables have a moderated mediator on the pathway from rice to WC and HbA1c ( a3b1=-0.003, P=0.041) in males. The mediating effect of WC is negatively regulated by the intake of dark vegetables (mediation effect difference U1/-1=-0.006, P=0.048). Dark vegetables showed a moderated mediator on the pathway from wheat to WC and HbA1c ( a3b1=-0.004, P=0.045) in females. The mediating effect of WC is negatively regulated by the intake of dark vegetables (mediation effect difference U1/-1=-0.009, P=0.049). Conclusions:Changes in WC indicators caused by rice, wheat, and red meat intake. WC could mediate between rice, wheat, red meat, and HbA1c. Dark vegetables directly or indirectly regulate HbA1c levels by interacting with rice, wheat, and red meat.

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect of segmental decompression combined with corrective short-segment fusion surgery for the treatment of degenerative lumbar scoliosis.Methods In total,124 patients with degenerative lumbar scoliosis were selected and divided into short-and long-segment fusion groups using the random number table method,with 62 patients in each group.Posterior short-segment decompression,fixation,and fusion were performed in the short-segment fusion group;the fusion segment was the adjacent lumbar vertebra.Posterior long-segment decompression,fixation,and fusion were performed in the long-segment fusion group;the fusion segments included multiple adjacent lumbar vertebrae.At the 6th month after surgery,the coronal Cobb angle of lumbar convexity,sagittal Cobb angle of lumbar lordosis,intervertebral foramen height,intervertebral space height,intervertebral foramen area,spinal canal area,spinal canal diameter,Japanese Orthopedic Association(JOA)score,Oswestry Disability Index(ODI),degree of pain in the lower back and lower limbs,and postoperative complications were compared between the groups.Results The Cobb angle of the coronal lumbar scoliosis in the short-and long-segment fusion groups was significantly higher than that before surgery(P<0.05).At the 6th month after surgery,the intervertebral foramen height,intervertebral space height,intervertebral foramen area,spinal canal area,and spinal canal diameter in both groups increased,and those in the short-segment fusion group were higher than those in the long-segment fusion group(P<0.05);at the 6th month after the operation,the JOA scores of the short-segment and long-segment fusion groups were higher than those before surgery,and the JOA score of the short-segment fusion group was higher than that of the long-segment fusion group(P<0.05).The ODI score was lower than that before surgery in the short-and long-segment fusion groups,and the ODI score in the short-segment fusion group was lower than that in the long-segment fusion group(P<0.05).At the 6th month after surgery,the pain scores of the lower back and lower limbs in the short-and long-segment fusion groups were significantly higher than those before surgery(P<0.05).There were two cases of dural tears during decompression caused by lamina dura adhesion in the long-segment fusion group,and no serious complications were observed in the short-segment fusion group.Conclusions Both short-and long-segment decompression fixation fusion using a posterior approach can achieve good therapeutic effects for treating degenerative lumbar scoliosis.However,compared to the long-segment fusion group,the short-segment fusion group undergoing short-segment decompression fixation fusion through a posterior approach had a shorter surgical period,lower intraoperative blood loss,better recovery of lumbar function,and a lower risk of postoperative complications.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of total aortic arch replacement in elderly patients with Stanford type A aortic dissection(TAAD).Methods:In this retrospective study, a total of 481 TAAD patients treated with total arch replacement in our hospital from January 2016 to January 2020 were divided into three groups: aged≤59 years, 60-69 years and ≥70 years.The differences between three groups in surgical method, extracorporeal circulation time, blocking time, circulatory time, stopping time, surgical time, ventilator use time, ICU time, hospitalization time, treatment rate of continued renal replacement, fatality rate, and cause of death were statistically analyzed and compared.Results:There were statistically significant differences in the stopping time between any two groups of the three groups(all P<0.05). The older the age, the shorter the circulatory arrest time.The difference of ventilator time and ICU time between ≤59 and 60-69 years was statistically significant( P<0.01). Patients with continuous renal replacement(CRRT)were 19.0%(71/373)in ≤59 years, 23.1%(18/78)in 60~69 years, and 26.7%(8/30)over 70 years.In-hospital mortality was 35/373(9.4%)in the group of ≤59 years old, 11/78(14.1%)in the group of 60~69 years old, and 5/30(16.7%)in the group of ≥70 years old.There was no death in patients undergoing type Ⅱ hybrid surgery. Conclusions:Age is one of the important death factors after total aortic arch replacement in TAAD patients.Total aortic arch replacement is an acceptable surgical method for elderly patients with TAAD.Hybridization may reduce hospitalization death in elderly patients.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of treatment of Sanders Ⅱ & Ⅲ calcaneal fractures with an absorbable stick plus Kirschner wire through the tarsal sinus incision.Methods:From July 2017 to May 2020, 37 patients with 42 Sanders Ⅱ & Ⅲ calcaneal fractures were treated with an absorbable stick plus Kirschner wire through the tarsal sinus incision at The Third Ward of Department of Traumatic Orthopeadics, The Sixth Hospital of Ningbo. There were 25 males and 12 females, with an age of (48.2±5.6) years (from 20 to 69 years). The fractures were at the left side in 12 cases, at the right side in 20 and at bilateral sides in 5. By Sanders classification, 20 fractures were type Ⅱ and 22 ones type Ⅲ. Fracture union time and complications were recorded. Their B?hler and Gissane angles were compared between preoperation, postoperation and the last follow-up. The range of motion of the subtalar joint was evaluated by the Morrey method at 6 months postoperation. The functional recovery was evaluated by the American Society of Foot and Ankle Surgery (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score at 12 months postoperation.Results:The 37 patients were followed up for (15.2±2.7) months (from 13 to 18 months). There were no such complications as incision skin necrosis, Kirschner wire deformation, loss of fracture reduction or Kirschner wire infection. The anatomical morphology of the calcaneus was restored satisfactorily in the 37 patients. At preoperation, postoperation and the last follow-up, the B?hler angles were 13.3°±1.6°, 32.5°±5.5° and 32.7°±5.4° and the Gissane angles 78.3°±6.7°, 127.2°±6.7° and 128.0°±6.4°, respectively, showing significant differences between the preoperative and postoperative values ( P<0.05) but no significant differences between postoperation and the last follow-up ( P>0.05). The range of motion of the subtalar joint at 6 months postoperation was slightly limited in 25 cases and moderately limited in 12 cases, giving a rate of moderate and above limitation of 32.4% (12/37). By the AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score at 12 months postoperation, 12 cases were excellent, 21 ones good and 4 ones fair, giving a good to excellent rate of 89.2% (33/37). Conclusion:Treatment with an absorbable stick plus Kirschner wire through the tarsal sinus incision may lead to fine clinical efficacy for Sanders Ⅱ & Ⅲ calcaneal fractures.

Objective:A multi-center and large sample volume study was conducted on the verification and improvement of the early established criteria for intelligent routine urinalysis validation (including the microscopic review rules and manual validation rules, referred to as intelligent criteria for short), in order to improve the clinical application of this intelligent criteria.Methods:A total of 31 456 urine specimens were collected from the inpatients and outpatients in six hospitals in China, from March to September 2019. Firstly, 3105 specimens were analyzed for preliminary verification and improvement of the intelligent criteria based on the results of the microscopic examination and manual validation. Secondly, 28 351 specimens were used to verify the clinical application of the improved intelligent criteria. All samples were manually validated as reference.Results:The approval inconsistency rate of the manual validation rules in the original intelligent criteria was 8.59% (202/2 352), and the interception inconsistency rate was 8.84% (208/2 352). The false negative rate and the microscopic review rate of the microscopic review rules were similar to the previous results. Based on an in-depth analysis of big data and the discussions by senior technicians from eight hospitals, one microscopic review rules and four manual validation rules were added, meanwhile two manual validation rule was deleted. The manual validation standards were unified. Finally, the intelligent criteria was improved. Based on the improved intelligent criteria, for microscopic review rules, the false positive rate, false negative rate (misdiagnosis rate), and microscopic review rate did not change significantly, which were 14.72% (457/3 105), 4.06% (126/3 105), and 24.73% (768/3 105), respectively. The approval inconsistency rate and the interception inconsistency rate of manual validation rules were both reduced to 0; the total manual validation rate of the intelligent criteria was 50.89% (1 580/3 105), and the auto-validation rate was 49.11% (1 525/3 105). The large sample volume verification results were consistent with the preliminary verification results of the improved intelligent criteria.Conclusion:This multi-center and large sample volume study had shown that the improved intelligent criteria had better clinical performance.

Objective    To summarize the clinical feature and treatment experience of patients with acute type A aortic dissection involving coronary arteries. Methods    The clinical data of 107 patients with acute type A aortic dissection involving coronary arteries, who received operation between June 5, 2012 and December 31, 2019 in our hospital, were analyzed retrospectively. There were 80 males and 27 females at age of 24-83 (49.8±11.2) years. Results    The right coronary artery was involved in 65 patients, the left in 17 patients, and both coronary arteries in 25 patients. There were 48 (44.9%) patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting, 49 (45.8%) patients undergoing coronary artery plasty. Fifteen patients died 30 d after the operation, with a mortality rate of 14.0%. Patients with preoperative cardiogenic shock and postoperative acute renal failure had increased risk of death (P<0.05). Eighty-two (88.2%) patients were followed up for 2 to 71 months, and 1 patient had sudden cardiac death during the follow-up period. Conclusion    Acute type A aortic dissection with coronary involvement is associated with high misdiagnosis rate and mortality rate. Taking proper strategies for surgical treatment of involved coronary arteries based on precise diagnosis may improve the prognosis of patients.