Objective:To explore the impact of the two-way referral model on compliance and prognosis in patients with heart failure.Methods:This bidirectional cohort study enrolled chronic heart failure (CHF) patients treated at Qilu Hospital of Shandong University or designated primary hospitals between March 2018 and March 2022. Patients were categorized into two groups based on referral status: two-way referral group (participating in the referral model with≥1 follow-up visit at primary hospitals) and the core hospital group (receiving treatment and follow-up exclusively at Qilu Hospital). Baseline clinical characteristics were collected and compared between groups. Patients underwent followed-up, with primary endpoints including follow-up rate, drug (β-blockers, angiotension converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI)/angiotensin Ⅱ receptor blockers (ARB)/angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI), sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists) utilization rate and target dose achievement rate. Secondary endpoints encompassed changes from baseline in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDd), and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), plus cardiovascular mortality and heart failure rehospitalization. Generalized linear mixed models analyzed longitudinal trends in LVEF, LVEDd, and NT-proBNP levels. Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regression evaluated LVEF recovery rates, supplemented by subgroup analyses. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify factors influencing target dose achievement rate for β-blockers and ACEI/ARB/ARNI therapies in CHF patients.Results:A total of 357 patients were enrolled, aged 53 (41, 63) years, including 256 males (71.7%). 157 patients were in the two-way referral group and 200 patients in the core hospital-treated group. Compared with the core hospital-treated group, the two-way referral group had lower baseline LVEF (28 (22, 34)% vs. 31 (23, 36)%, P=0.021) and systolic blood pressure (116 (104, 125) mmHg vs. 121 (109, 134) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa), P=0.010). The 12-month follow-up rate of the two-way referral group was higher than the core hospital-treated group (73.8% vs. 56.0%, P=0.004). No significant between-group differences were observed in drug utilization rate of β-blockers, ACEI/ARB/ARNI, or sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors during follow-up (all P>0.05), while mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists use showed a declining trend in both groups. Although the core hospital-treated group had higher target dose achievement rates for β-blockers (65.4% vs. 49.3%, P=0.042) and ACEI/ARB/ARNI (79.8% vs. 65.8%, P=0.046) than the two-way referral group, multivariate logistic regression indicated that the two-way referral model was not a negative predictor for these outcomes (all P>0.05). Both groups showed improved NT-proBNP, LVEDd, and LVEF from baseline (all P<0.001) with no significant difference in trends between groups (all P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the composite incidence (7.6% vs. 6.5%, P=0.674) and cumulative incidence (log-rank P=0.684) of cardiovascular death and heart failure rehospitalization at 12 months between two groups. Conclusion:The two-way referral model demonstrates advantages in improving medication adherence, drug utilization rates, and targetdoseachievement rates among CHF patients. This model not only promotes cardiac functional recovery but also reduces risks of cardiovascular mortality and heart failure rehospitalization, achieving comparable therapeutic and management outcomes to those observed in core hospital-treated patients.

There are difficulties in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in medical community. Since the surgery of cervical deep lymphatic vessel/lymphatic node-vein anastomosis (LVA/LnVA) has made clinical improvement in patients with AD, it offers a surgical option to treat AD. Especially improvements in cognitive impairment. However the mechanism in treatment of AD is not yet made clear. This article preliminarily explores the mechanism in improvement of some symptoms in patients with AD through cervical deep LVA/LnVA on the basis of morphological characteristics of the cribriform plate-cervical lymphatic pathway.

Objective:To investigate the pathogenetic characteristics of clinical isolates of Streptococcus suis in Henan Province from 2020 to 2023. Methods:Eight clinical isolates of S. suis in Henan Province from 2020 to 2023 were identified using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) and real-time fluorescence polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Serotype and virulence genes were detected by the serum agglutination test and PCR, and antibiotic susceptibility was evaluated using the microbroth dilution method. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST), minimum core genome (MCG), identification of antibiotic resistance genes, and core genome single nucleotide polymorphism (cgSNP) analysis were conducted using whole genome sequencing. Results:The results showed that eight S. suis strains isolated from humans were mainly serotype 2 (75.0%), while the rest were serotype 14 (25.0%). ST353 (62.5%) was the predominant genotype, followed by ST1 (25.0%) and ST7 (12.5%). All isolates belonged to the MCG1 group. The virulence genotypes of these isolates were primarily mrp(NA2)/ sly+/ ef+/ gapdh+(75.0%), while the remaining were mrp(EU)/ sly+/ ef+/ gapdh+(25.0%). These isolates carried tetracycline, macrolide, lincosamide and aminoglycoside resistance genes, and their resistance rates to tetracycline, erythromycin and clindamycin were 100.0%, 87.5% and 87.5%, respectively, and 62.5% strains were intermediate-resistant to penicillin. The cgSNP analysis indicated that these isolates were closer to the isolates from Guangdong, Zhejiang and Guangxi Provinces, with five ST353 strains and one ST7 strain belonging to Clade Ⅰ, and two ST1 strains belonging to Clade Ⅱ. Conclusion:The human isolates of S. suis in Henan Province are mainly ST353, harboring multiple virulence and antibiotic resistance genes.

Objective:To develop a comprehensive training curriculum to enhance the effective implementation of the national initiative promoting dementia care and prevention.Methods:The Delphi method was utilized in an expert consultation that included 44 participants.The initial draft of the training curriculum was developed based on the current state of dementia care and prevention.This draft was subsequently evaluated for its importance, feasibility, and ease of dissemination.Experts offered targeted modifications and additional recommendations.Results:The recovery rate of the expert consultation questionnaire was 95.5%, with a recovery validity rate of 90.9%.The expert authority coefficient was 0.91, and the Kendall's coordination coefficient( W)for expert scoring was 0.316, with a significance level of P<0.001.Four course modules were ultimately identified: the foundation of memory clinic work, the complete management practice skills, group counseling techniques for caregivers, and practical skills for caregivers.The importance of these modules was rated with a mean of 4.92 to 4.95, and the coefficient of variation ranged from 0.044 to 0.063.Each module had a mean value of 4.92 to 4.95, with a coefficient of variation of 0.044 to 0.063; the mean value for practicality was between 4.78 and 4.92, with a coefficient of variation of 0.055 to 0.098; and the mean value for ease of generalization ranged from 4.28 to 4.65, with a coefficient of variation from 0.140 to 0.203.The four modules comprised a total of 55 specific course content items, with the mean value for each item ranging from 4.76 to 5.00 and a coefficient of variation from 0.000 to 0.121.The mean value of usefulness assigned to each entry ranged from 4.55 to 4.98, with a coefficient of variation from 0.031 to 0.150.Additionally, the mean value for ease of propagation assigned to each entry ranged from 4.00 to 4.83, with a coefficient of variation from 0.091 to 0.245. Conclusions:The developed training curriculum, which comprises four course modules and 55 items, demonstrated consistently high levels of importance, practicality, and ease of dissemination.These findings indicate that the curriculum is well-aligned with national initiatives aimed at enhancing dementia care and prevention.

Objective:To explore the effect of preoperative intensive functional training on the balance and functional recovery of patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) receiving total knee arthroplasty (TKA).Methods:Sixty KOA patients were randomly divided into an outpatient group, a home-based group and a control group, each of 20. Before their TKAs, both the outpatient and home-based groups underwent intensive functional training for 4 weeks, while the control group did nothing special. After the TKA, all received 4 weeks of standardized postoperative rehabilitation training. Before any training, after the 4 weeks of preoperative training and 4 weeks after the TKAs, all of the subjects performed the timed up and go test (TUGT), and their joint range of motion (ROM) was recorded. They also completed the 30-second chair stand strength test (30sCST), and the 6-minute walk exercise endurance test (6MWT). KOA osteoarthritis indices (WOMACs) were also recorded.Results:After the 4 weeks of preoperative training, significant differences were observed in the trajectory length, elliptical area and TUGT times of both the outpatient and home-based groups. Four weeks after the TKAs, significant differences were observed in all of the measurements in all three groups, but the results of the outpatient and home-based groups were significantly better than those of the control group, on average. After the 4 weeks of postoperative training, there were significant differences between the outpatient and home-based groups in terms of the average knee flexion angle, knee extension angle, 30sCST and 6MWT results. There were significant differences among the 3 groups in all of the measurements 4 weeks after the TKAs, with those of the two training groups showing significantly better results than the control group. The pain scores, stiffness scores, function scores and total WOMAC scores had improved significantly compared with the control group, but the average function and total WOMAC scores of the outpatient group (24.25±2.38) and (35.41±3.02) were then significantly superior to the home-based group′s averages.Conclusions:Intensive preoperative functional training conducted in an outpatient clinic or at home can significantly improve the balance, lower limb strength, exercise endurance and symptoms of KOA patients after TKA.

Objective:To analyze risk factors for immune checkpoint inhibitor-related pneumonitis (CIP) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients based on clinical and radiological characteristics, and to develop and validate a nomogram model for predicting the risk of CIP.Methods:A retrospective case-controlled study was conducted. The clinical data of 159 patients diagnosed with NSCLC in Shanxi Province Cancer Hospital between January 2020 and December 2023 who received immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy were retrospectively analyzed. Based on the development of CIP after immunotherapy, the patients were divided into the CIP group (30 cases) and the control group (129 cases). The clinical data of NSCLC patients, hematological indicators and the data of imaging characteristics before their first ICI treatment were collected. Quantitative assessments were performed on pretreatment chest CT images, including lung total tumor volume, number of involved lung segments, and pulmonary infection index. Logistic regression analysis was used to screen out the factors influencing the development of CIP. R 4.3.0 statistical software was used to construct a nomogram model for predicting CIP based on the statistically significant risk factors identified in the multivariate logistic regression analysis. The predictive performance of the model was evaluated by using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and the area under the curve (AUC). Calibration curves and decision curve analysis (DCA) were employed to assess the model's consistency and clinical benefit.Results:There were statistically significant differences in the proportions of patients with a history of chest radiotherapy and those receiving different immunotherapy regimens between the control group and the CIP group (both P < 0.001). The difference in the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) [ M ( IQR)] between the both groups was statistically significant [211.00 U/L (57.00 U/L) vs. 276.00 U/L (136.00 U/L), Z = -3.41, P < 0.001]; additionally, the difference in lung status score between the 2 groups was statistically significant ( P < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that a history of chest radiotherapy (with vs. without: OR = 4.200, 95% CI: 1.466-12.036), the combination of immunotherapy (monotherapy vs. the combined therapy: OR = 0.106, 95% CI: 0.022-0.509), LDH ≥ 255.5 U/L (< 255.5 U/L vs. ≥ 255.5 U/L: OR = 0.988, 95% CI: 0.981-0.995), and severe lung status score(mild vs. moderate vs. severe: OR = 0.187, 95% CI: 0.059-0.593) were independent risk factors for CIP development in NSCLC patients after immunotherapy (all P < 0.05). A nomogram model for predicting CIP occurrence was constructed based on chest radiotherapy history, immunotherapy regimen, LDH, and lung status score. ROC curve analysis showed the AUC was 0.878 (95% CI: 0.813-0.942). The calibration curve demonstrated the good consistency between the predicted risk probability of CIP and the observed outcomes; DCA indicated that the model had favorable clinical benefits. Conclusions:The constructed nomogram prediction model shows a good predictive performance.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness and advantages of the double reverse traction reduction versus open reduction internal fixation for treating complex tibial plateau fractures. METHODS: A clinical data of 25 patients with Schatzker type Ⅴ or Ⅵ tibial plateau fractures, who met the selection criteria and were admitted between January 2019 and January 2023, was retrospectively analyzed. Thirteen patients underwent double reverse traction reduction and internal fixation (double reverse traction group), while 12 patients underwent open reduction and internal fixation (traditional open group). There was no significant difference in the baseline data (age, gender, injury mechanism, Schatzker classification, interval between injury and operation) between the two groups ( P>0.05). The effectiveness were evaluated and compared between the two groups, included operation time, intraoperative blood loss, incision length, hospital stay, full weight-bearing time, complications, fracture healing, Rasmussen radiological score (reduction quality), knee Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) score, and knee flexion/extension range of motion. RESULTS: The double reverse traction group demonstrated significantly superior outcomes in operation time, intraoperative blood loss, hospital stay, incision length, and time to full weight-bearing ( P<0.05). Two patients in traditional open group developed incisional complications, while the double reverse traction group had no complication. There was no significant difference in the incidence of complication between the two groups ( P>0.05). All patients were followed up 24-36 months (mean, 30 months), with no significant difference in follow-up duration between groups ( P>0.05). Fractures healed in both groups with no significant difference in healing time ( P>0.05). At 6 months after operation, Rasmussen radiological scores and grading showed no significant difference between the two groups ( P>0.05); the double reverse traction group had significantly higher HSS scores compared to the traditional open group ( P<0.05). At 12 months after operation, knee flexion/extension range of motion were significantly greater in the double reverse traction group than in the traditional open group ( P<0.05). CONCLUSION Double reverse traction reduction offers advantages over traditional open reduction, including shorter operation time, reduced blood loss, minimized soft tissue trauma, and improved joint functional recovery. It is a safe and reliable method for complex tibial plateau fractures.
Humans ; Tibial Fractures/surgery* ; Fracture Fixation, Internal/methods* ; Male ; Female ; Traction/methods* ; Retrospective Studies ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Open Fracture Reduction/methods* ; Treatment Outcome ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Fracture Healing ; Operative Time ; Length of Stay ; Blood Loss, Surgical ; Aged ; Tibial Plateau Fractures

Objective:To observe effectiveness of combining diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) with motor evoked potentials (MEPs) in evaluating the upper limb motor functioning of stroke survivors.Methods:Thirty-seven stroke survivors with upper limb motor dysfunction were selected. At the 4th, 12th and 24th week after their onset, each was were assessed using Fugl-Meyer Upper Limb (FMA-UE) scoring, the National Institutes of Health stroke scale (NIHSS), the modified Rankin Scale (mRS), the Barthel Index (BI) and hemiplegic hand function classification. DTI was also applied and MEPs were measured. The patients were divided into an MEP positive group and an MEP negative group according to the existence of the MEP waveform. The DTI and MEP parameters were correlated with the FMA-UE scores, linear regressions were evaluated and a receiver operating characteristics curve was prepared to estimate the utility of DTI in predicting hand function. The sensitivity and specificity of MEPs in predicting hand function recovery were evaluated.Results:The asymmetry index (FAa) of the average anisotropy score of the posterior limb of the internal capsule and the FAa of the cerebral peduncle were both significantly correlated with the FMA-UE scores at the 12th and 24th weeks. The best cut-off points for predicting functional recovery of a patient′s hand were 0.155 for the FAa of the posterior limb of the internal capsule and 0.145 for the cerebral peduncle. Among the 37 patients, the MEPs of 8 (the MEP positive group) could be extracted, and their hand functions recovered completely. The sensitivity of the MEPs in predicting the complete recovery of hand function was 80% with 100% specificity. The linear regression analysis showed 77% prediction accuracy for the FAa and MEPs of the cerebral peduncle for upper limb motor function at the 24th week after onset. In the MEP negative group, two patients completely recovered their hand function, with one′s FAa less than 0.145, and the other′s more than 0.145. When the MEP was negative, the sensitivity of DTI in predicting the recovery of hand function was 50% with 81.5% specificity.Conclusions:DTI combined with MEPs can be used as an index to evaluate the prognosis of upper limb motor function in stroke patients.

Objective:To investigate the pathogenetic characteristics of clinical isolates of Streptococcus suis in Henan Province from 2020 to 2023. Methods:Eight clinical isolates of S. suis in Henan Province from 2020 to 2023 were identified using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) and real-time fluorescence polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Serotype and virulence genes were detected by the serum agglutination test and PCR, and antibiotic susceptibility was evaluated using the microbroth dilution method. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST), minimum core genome (MCG), identification of antibiotic resistance genes, and core genome single nucleotide polymorphism (cgSNP) analysis were conducted using whole genome sequencing. Results:The results showed that eight S. suis strains isolated from humans were mainly serotype 2 (75.0%), while the rest were serotype 14 (25.0%). ST353 (62.5%) was the predominant genotype, followed by ST1 (25.0%) and ST7 (12.5%). All isolates belonged to the MCG1 group. The virulence genotypes of these isolates were primarily mrp(NA2)/ sly+/ ef+/ gapdh+(75.0%), while the remaining were mrp(EU)/ sly+/ ef+/ gapdh+(25.0%). These isolates carried tetracycline, macrolide, lincosamide and aminoglycoside resistance genes, and their resistance rates to tetracycline, erythromycin and clindamycin were 100.0%, 87.5% and 87.5%, respectively, and 62.5% strains were intermediate-resistant to penicillin. The cgSNP analysis indicated that these isolates were closer to the isolates from Guangdong, Zhejiang and Guangxi Provinces, with five ST353 strains and one ST7 strain belonging to Clade Ⅰ, and two ST1 strains belonging to Clade Ⅱ. Conclusion:The human isolates of S. suis in Henan Province are mainly ST353, harboring multiple virulence and antibiotic resistance genes.