Gut microbial communities are likely remodeled in tandem with accumulated physiological decline during aging, yet there is limited understanding of gut microbiome variation in advanced age. Here, we performed a metagenomics-based enterotype analysis in a geographically homogeneous cohort of 367 enrolled Chinese individuals between the ages of 60 and 94 years, with the goal of characterizing the gut microbiome of elderly individuals and identifying factors linked to enterotype variations. In addition to two adult-like enterotypes dominated by Bacteroides (ET-Bacteroides) and Prevotella (ET-Prevotella), we identified a novel enterotype dominated by Escherichia (ET-Escherichia), whose prevalence increased in advanced age. Our data demonstrated that age explained more of the variance in the gut microbiome than previously identified factors such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) or diet. We characterized the distinct taxonomic and functional profiles of ET-Escherichia, and found the strongest cohesion and highest robustness of the microbial co-occurrence network in this enterotype, as well as the lowest species diversity. In addition, we carried out a series of correlation analyses and co-abundance network analyses, which showed that several factors were likely linked to the overabundance of Escherichia members, including advanced age, vegetable intake, and fruit intake. Overall, our data revealed an enterotype variation characterized by Escherichia enrichment in the elderly population. Considering the different age distribution of each enterotype, these findings provide new insights into the changes that occur in the gut microbiome with age and highlight the importance of microbiome-based stratification of elderly individuals.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Bacteroides ; China ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/microbiology* ; Escherichia coli/classification* ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/genetics* ; Metagenomics ; East Asian People

Objective To investigate the diagnostic value Tamm-Horsfall protein(THP)and osteopontin(OPN)in serum and 24-hour urine for urolithiasis.Methods A total of 101 patients with urolithiasis who underwent flexible ureteroscopy lithotripsy at the Urology Department of Civil Aviation General Hospital from April 2020 to March 2023 were included as the stone group,and 50 healthy individuals were enrolled as the control group.The samples of serum and 24-hour urine samples were collected from both the groups,and the levels of THP and OPN were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association between each biomarker and urolithiasis,and receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves were plotted to assess their diagnostic value.Results The stone group showed significantly lower THP levels(20.13[13.12,26.03]mg/d)and OPN levels(51.24[36.72,101.37]μg/d)in 24-hour urine,and THP levels(182.01[160.91,209.20]ng/mL)and OPN lev-els(18.76[15.72,22.48]ng/mL)in serum compared to the control group(all the P＜0.001).Binary Logistic regression analysis re-vealed that THP(OR=0.736,95％CI:0.606-0.895),OPN(OR=0.975,95％CI:0.958-0.993)and citrate(OR=0.067,95％CI:0.012-0.376)in 24-hour urine,and THP(OR=0.946,95％CI:0.908-0.986)and OPN(OR=0.896,95％CI:0.803-0.999)in ser-um were the protective factors for urolithiasis,while calcium level(OR=2.125,95％CI:1.243-3.633)24-hour urine was a risk factor(all the P＜0.05).ROC curve analysis showed that the areas under the curve(AUCROC)for the individual diagnosis of urolithiasis were 0.846,0.809,0.786,0.823,0.748,and 0.755 for the above six biomarkers,respectively.The AUCROC for the combined diagnosis u-sing THP+OPN in serum,THP+OPN in 24-hour urine and all the six biomarkers were 0.882,0.920 and 0.984,respectively,indica-ting better diagnostic performance.Conclusion The combined detection of the THP and OPN levels in serum and 24-hour urine may have good diagnostic value for urolithiasis and serve as potential diagnostic biomarkers.

Objective To investigate and assess the risk signals of adverse drug events(ADEs)associated with the post-marketing 4 long-acting anticholinergic antagonists(LAMA),including adionium bromide,glycopyrronium bromide,umeonium bromide,and tiotropium bromide,to provide references for clinically safe prescribing practices.Methods Four LAMA drugs-related ADE records were selected by searching the FAERS database from the first quarter of 2004 to the first quarter of 2024 and standardizing the drug name of adionium bromide,glycopyrronium bromide,umeonium bromide,and tiotropium bromide,with the primary suspected drug as a restriction.Potential ADE signals were mined using the reporting odds ratio(ROR)method,medicines and healthcare products regulatory agency(MHRA)method and Bayesian confidence propagation neural network(BCPNN)method,and Medical Dictionary for Drug Regulatory Activities 26.1 was used to classify the results systematically.Results A total of 80 680 reports of four LAMA drugs-related ADE were collected,including 4 287 reports for aclidinium bromide,3 584 reports for glycopyrronium bromide,3 084 reports for umeclidinium bromide and 69 725 reports for iotropium bromide.The reports predominantly involved female patients(47 725 cases,59.15％)over male patients(27 525 cases,34.11％).The United States emerged as the principal reporting country,with consumers,pharmacists,and physicians as the primary reporters.Serious ADE outcomes included life-threatening conditions,hospitalizations,disabilities,deaths.A total of 902 signals were identified,mainly affecting 27 systems or organs.Specifically,aclidinium bromide(180 signals),glycopyrronium bromide(210 signals),umeclidinium bromide(142 signals),and tiotropium bromide(370 signals)exhibited signals predominantly in the respiratory,thoracic and mediastinal disorders,investigations,injury,poisoning and procedural complications,eye and organ diseases cgastrointestinal disorders.Conclusion When using LAMA drugs for respiratory conditions,clinicians should implement preventive measures to monitor respiratory diseases,thoracic and mediastinal diseases,eye and organ changes and various laboratory examination indicators,to reduce the risk of medication.

Objective:To investigate the effect of BOPPPS teaching model combined with virtual simulation technologyin the teaching of Prevention and treatment of Major Infectious Diseases,in order to explore innovative teaching model and provide evidence for improving students'comprehensive ability to deal with major infectious disease events.Methods:Undergraduates from three classes of preventive medicine major in a medical university were selected as the research objects.One class was given the new teaching model,and the other two classes were given the traditional teaching model.The total scores,the theoretical score and the skill score were compared between the two groups.Results:A total of 141 students participated in the survey,49 students in the new teaching model group,and 92 students in the traditional teaching model group.The results showed that compared with the traditional model group,the total score,the theoretical score,the skill score of the new model group was significantly higher(P＜0.01).However,there was no significant difference between male and female students in each group(P＞0.05).Conclusions:Compared with the traditional teaching model,the students in the new teaching model has a good teaching effect,which can improve the students'theoretical knowledge level,cultivate the students'emergency response ability,and improve the students'comprehensive ability of discovery,analysis and solution.Boys and girls have the same acceptance of the two teaching models,and gender does not affect the teaching effect.

Objective:To explore the correlations of brain network functional connectivity (FC) alterations with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pathological biomarkers in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD).Methods:A total of 39 patients with cognitive impairment, admitted to Department of Neurology, Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University from January 2020 to December 2022 were recruited; 23 patients were with AD and 16 with non-AD. Clinical data were compared between the 2 groups. Resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) data were collected, and FC differences between brain networks and FC differences within brain networks were compared by independent component analysis. Correlations of FC differences between brain networks and FC differences within brain networks with concentrations of β-amyloid protein 1-42 (Aβ 1-42) and Tau protein in CSF were analyzed. Results:Compared with the non-AD group, AD group had significantly lower Aβ 1-42 in CSF ( P<0.05). Compared with those in the non-AD group, FC alterations between the left frontoparietal network (lFPN) and anterior default mode network (aDMN) and between the visual network (VN) and posterior cingulate cortex (PCC), as well as FC alterations in lFPN, were significantly increased in AD group ( P<0.05). Compared with those in the non-AD group, FC alterations between lFPN and cerebellar network (CEN), and FC alterations in aDMN, sensorimotor network (SMN) and VN were significantly decreased in AD group ( P<0.05). In AD group, FC in SMN was positively correlated with total Tau and phosphorylated-Tau181 in CSF ( P<0.05); FC between VN and PCC was positively correlated with total Tau in CSF ( P<0.05). CSF Aβ 1-42 was positively correlated with FC alterations in aDMN and VN, but negatively correlated with FC in FPN ( P<0.05). Conclusion:In AD patients, characteristic changes in FC within and between multiple brain networks are noted, which are related to changes of Tau protein and Aβ 1-42 in CSF.

ObjectiveTo investigate the trends in diabetes mortality rate and the characteristics of decreased population in Fengxian District, Shanghai from 2012 to 2021. MethodsData from the death registration records of the residents in Fengxian District between 2012 and 2021, sourced from the Shanghai Death Surveillance System, were analyzed. Indicators such as the crude mortality rate due to diabetes, the standardized mortality rate, years of life lost (YLL), and the probability of premature death were estimated. Annual percentage change (APC) was used to analyze the temporal trends of mortality and the probability of premature death due to diabetes. Rate decomposition analysis was used to assess the contributions of demographic and non-demographic factors to diabetes mortality. ResultsFrom 2012 to 2021, there were 1 471 deaths due to diabetes in Fengxian District, with a crude mortality rate of 27.51/100 000 and a standardized mortality rate of 17.58/100 000. The crude mortality rate showed an overall increasing trend (APC=4.58%, Z=3.49, P<0.05). The potential years of life lost (PYLL) due to diabetes over this period amounted to 9 715 person-years, with a PYLL rate of 1.82 ‰, and the average years of life lost (AYLL) was 11.94 years. The probability of premature death was 0.41% (APC=3.36%, t=2.33, P<0.05). Both population aging and non-aging factors contributed to the increase in diabetes mortality, with overall contribution rates of 67.99% and 32.01%, respectively. Among men, the contribution rates were 60.57% and 39.43%, while among women, they were 79.43% and 20.57%, respectively. ConclusionFrom 2012 to 2021, both the crude mortality rate and the probability of premature death due to diabetes showed an upward trend among the residents in Fengxian District, with a higher YLL. Population aging was the main factor causing the increase in mortality rate, while non-demographic factors had a greater impact on the rise in diabetes mortality among men than that in women. Therefore, the management on male diabetes patients should be strengthened.

Homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH) is a rare and serious autosomal genetic metabolic disease. Patients without intervention often die younger than 30 years old from early atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD)incurred by extremely high levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). We present a case of HoFH, a child with compound heterozygous mutation in this study. The effect of conventional lipid-lowering therapy through diet control and lipid-lowering drugs was unsatisfactory. The blood-lipid purification proves effective but has poor compliance and difficult to maintain for a longer time. The patient received orthotopic liver transplantation and had been followed for 2 years, with the patient shows normal LDL-C, well growth and development. We hope the case will provide the clinician with better understanding of the diagnosis and treatment of the rare disease of HoFH.

There is no unified thoracic surgery training system in China, neither in the trainee selection or evaluation, nor in the training curriculum or the graduation requirements. A literature review was performed for available publications regarding international thoracic surgical training. A brief comparison was made regarding the thoracic surgery residency programs in China, Japan, United States and United Kingdom, including training pathway, recruitments, training content, performance assessment and academic experience. In conclusion, there are four key aspects worth noting. Firstly, an effective residency programme is invaluable to specialty training, and effort should be made to create a unified training programme that allows trainee to progress from residency to specialty training smoothly. Secondly, flexibility and personalization should be allowed in higher specialty training, so that trainee can develop their subspecialty interests. Thirdly, a unified clinical curriculum, selection and standardized income should be promoted to minimalize the variation of training outcome between provinces. Fourthly, additional training and time should be allowed for trainee who wants to pursue an academic career, and academic outcomes should be evaluated alongside with the standard clinical training.

Patients with small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) relapse within months after completing previous therapies. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of anlotinib as third- or further-line therapy in patients with short-term relapsed SCLC from ALTER1202. Patients with short-term relapsed SCLC (disease progression within 3 months after completing ⩾ two lines of chemotherapy) in the anlotinib (n = 67) and placebo (n = 34) groups were analyzed. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). The secondary endpoints included overall survival, objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate, and safety. Anlotinib significantly improved median PFS/OS (4.0 vs. 0.7 months, P < 0.0001)/(7.3 vs. 4.4 months, P = 0.006) compared with placebo. The ORR was 4.5%/2.9% in the anlotinib/placebo group (P = 1.000). The DCR in the anlotinib group was higher than that in the placebo group (73.1% vs. 11.8%, P < 0.001). The most common adverse events (AEs) were hypertension (38.8%), loss of appetite (28.4%), and fatigue (22.4%) in the anlotinib group and gammaglutamyl transpeptidase elevation (20.6%) in the placebo group. No grade 5 AEs occurred. For patients with short-term relapsed SCLC, third- or further-line anlotinib treatment was associated with improved survival benefit. Further studies are warranted in this regard.
Humans ; Lung Neoplasms/drug therapy* ; Treatment Outcome ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/chemically induced* ; Quinolines/adverse effects*

Objective:To analyze risk factors of dry eye in patients with type 2 diabetic retinopathy, construct a dry eye risk nomogram model and conduct external verification.Methods:The study was a cross-sectional study. A total of 366 patients with type 2 diabetic retinopathy treated in the Ophthalmology Clinic of the First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University from March 2020 to November 2021 were conveniently selected as the research objects. They were divided into the modeling group and the validation group by random number table method, with 183 cases in each group. The prevalence of dry eye in patients with type 2 diabetic retinopathy was counted. The risk factors of dry eye were screened by univariate analysis and binomial Logistic regression analysis, and the nomogram model of dry eye risk was constructed based on the data of the patients in the modeling group. Calibration curve and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis were performed on the data of patients in the validation group to evaluate the calibration and discrimination of the nomogram model.Results:The prevalence of dry eye in patients with type 2 diabetic retinopathy was 57.38% (210/366) . More than 60 years old, more than 4 hours of daily screen viewing time, duration of diabetes longer than or equal to 5 years, glycated hemoglobin greater than equal to 7.0% and diabetic retinopathy grade of severe non-proliferative type and proliferative type were risk factors for dry eye in patients with type 2 diabetic retinopathy ( P<0.05) , and sleep time greater than or equal to 7 hours per night was a protective factor ( P<0.01) . The χ 2 value of Hosmer-Lemeshow test of the nomogram model of dry eye risk constructed by six factors was 14.280 ( P=0.075) , showing that the actual observation curve was consistent with the predicted curve. The area under the ROC curve was 0.815 (95% CI: 0.750-0.880) . Conclusions:Patients with type 2 diabetic retinopathy have a high prevalence of dry eye. More than 60 years old, more than 4 hours of daily screen viewing time, duration of diabetes longer than or equal to 5 years, glycated hemoglobin greater than equal to 7.0% and diabetic retinopathy grade of severe non-proliferative type and proliferative type are risk factors for dry eye in patients with type 2 diabetic retinopathy, and sleep time greater than or equal to 7 hours per night is a protective factor. The nomogram model constructed in this study has good calibration and discrimination, which can help medical staff identify the risk of dry eye as early as possible.