Background Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) can influence gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM); however, current studies on their association are limited and have yielded inconsistent findings. Objective To investigate the association between maternal exposure to PFAS, as measured by urinary concentrations in early pregnancy, and the risk of developing GDM. Methods Based on the Wuhu Birth Cohort in Anhui Province conducted between 2020 and 2023, this study included 1910 pregnant women. Urine samples were collected during the first trimester, and a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was completed at 24–28 gestational weeks. The concentrations of six PFAS in urine were measured using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). Participants were categorized into low, medium, and high exposure groups according to tertiles of individual PFAS concentrations. Logistic regression analysis was employed to assess the potential impact of early-pregnancy PFAS exposure levels on the risk of GDM, with stratified analyses by maternal age and fetal sex. A generalized weighted quantile sum regression (gWQS) model was applied to evaluate the relative weight distribution of the six PFAS in their mixture effect. Results The logistic regression results revealed that both medium exposure to perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS) (OR=1.475, 95%CI: 1.040, 2.093) and high exposure to perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) (OR=1.430, 95%CI: 1.013, 2.018) were positively associated with diagnosed GDM. This association was more pronounced among women older than 28 years. Among pregnant women carrying male fetuses, high-level exposures to per fluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA) (OR=1.708, 95%CI: 1.006, 2.899) and PFHxS (OR=2.116, 95%CI: 1.247, 3.584) showed positive associations with diagnosed GDM. In contrast, among those carrying female fetuses, moderate perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) exposure was associated with a lower risk of GDM (OR=0.542, 95%CI: 0.311, 0.946). The gWQS results demonstrated that PFOS (0.48) and perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS) (0.34) contributed the most to the mixture effect. Conclusion Early-pregnancy exposure to PFAS (particularly PFHxS and PFNA) may be an etiological factor for GDM, with maternal age and fetal sex potentially acting as effect modifiers in this association.

Objective Explore the clinical and molecular genetic characteristics of children with epilepsy as the first symptom caused by mutations in the ATPase Na+/K+transporting subunit alpha-3(ATP1A3)gene.Methods Clinical data of 853 epilepsy patients who visited the Department of Pediatric Neurology at Northwest Women's and Children's Hospital from November 2021 to December 2023 were retrospectively collected.Among them,3 cases were diagnosed with ATP1A3 gene mutations.Next-generation sequencing(NGS)techniques was used to perform whole exome sequencing analysis on serum samples from ATP1A3 gene mutation patients,and Sanger sequencing method was used for mutation verification.Results The ATP1A3 gene mutation sites in three patients were c.2401(exo n17)G>A,c.1103C>T and c.2542+1G>A,all of which presented with epilepsy as the initial symptom,mainly manifested as seizures and loss of consciousness.Imaging examination shows no abnormalities or slight widening of the subarachnoid space in both frontal and temporal regions,with background slow waves appearing in the electroencephalogram.Seizure were relieved after treatment with antiepileptic drugs.Conclusion The heterozygous mutations c.1103C>T and c.2542+1G>A at the ATP1A3 gene locus are novel pathogenic variations in epilepsy,and further confirm that the c.2401(exon17)G>A heterozygous mutation can cause epilepsy symptoms in patients.The clinical phenotype of ATP1A3 gene mutation includes typical alternating hemiplegia and muscle tone disorders,as well as seizures and developmental delay.

Objective To explore the types of symptom clusters in patients with bladder instillation and identify the core symptoms through symptom network analysis,and to provide evidence for symptom management of the patients.Methods Convenience sampling was used to select 226 patients with bladder instillation for bladder cancer at a Tier-IIIA hospital in Guiyang from March 2023 to July 2024.Data were collected through review of medical record,general information questionnaires and symptom assessment questionnaires specific to the patients with bladder instillation.Exploratory factor analysis was used to extract symptom clusters,and symptom relationships were analysed using R language for network layout and centrality calculations.Results A total of 223 patients with bladder cancer completed the survey.Four symptom clusters were identified,namely the urinary system symptom cluster,digestive system symptom cluster,somatic symptom cluster and psychological symptom cluster,with a cumulative variance contribution rate of 66.038%.The symptom network analysis showed strong associations between dysuria and urethral pain during catheterisation,incomplete emptying and dysuria,as well as distress and poor sleep quality.In terms of centrality indicators,the top three symptoms by strength were dysuria(rS=2.26),incomplete emptying(rS=0.99)and poor sleep quality(rS=0.90).Of the expected impacts,the top three were dysuria(rE=2.09),poor sleep quality(rE=1.34)and frequency of urinary(rE=0.55).Regarding the closeness centrality,the top three were dysuria(rC=2.23),incomplete emptying(rC=0.64)and poor sleep quality(rC=0.54).Dysuria had the highest strength,expected impact and closeness centrality,indicating the dysuria was the core symptom in the patients with bladder cancer.Conclusion For the patients with bladder instillation experience,multiple and interconnected symptoms appear at the same time and together they form a symptom clusters,of which the pain in urination is the core symptom.Medical staff should consider symptom prevalence and core symptoms and to develop the targeted and precise management strategies for targeted nursing.

Objective:The development and application of end-of-life patient decision aids for elderly were systematically reviewed and analyzed in order to supply guidance for the design of localized patient decision aids in China.Methods:Using the Scoping Review Guidelines as a methodological framework, a systematic search was conducted across databases including China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang, China Biology Medicine, PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, and BIOSIS. The search period covered from the inception of these databases to October 31, 2023. Two professionally trained researchers were responsible for screening, extracting, and organizing the retrieved literature.Results:A total of 5 studies on decision aids were included. These primarily employed paper graphics, interactive web pages, or multimedia slides as formats. The content encompassed various aspects such as palliative care options along with their pros and cons, assisting patients in clarifying their personal values, encouraging patients to document their decision-making preferences, and initiating end-of-life conversations with family members. Age-friendly design strategies were adopted in 4 studies; efficacy was validated in 3 studies, and in two of these studies, significant improvements were observed in engagement of patients (or substitute decision-makers) in ACP and the consistency of decision preferences (both P< 0.05). Conclusions:End-of-life decision aids for elderly patients can improve decision-making outcomes to some extent, however, the form and quality standards of them need to be improved, and their long-term effect needs further research and verification. It is recommended that in the future, the needs for end-of-life decision-making should be properly assessed based on the health literacy level, and high-quality localized end-of-life decision aids should be developed and popularized.

Objective To evaluate the predictive value of patent ductus arteriosus(PDA)for the incidence and mortality of neonatal pulmonary hemorrhage(NPH)in infants with a gestational age(GA)of≤32 weeks.Methods Retrospective analysis of clinical data from premature infants with GA≤32 weeks consecutively admitted between January 2021 and June 2024.The analyzed clinical characteristics included GA,birth weight(WT),mode of delivery,diseases experienced by the infants,and maternal perinatal factors.Infants were categorized based on the presence or absence of NPH,and the clinical features of both groups were compared.Furthermore,infants with NPH and hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus(hsPDA)were subdivided according to in-hospital mortality for additional analysis.Results The study included a total of 511 pediatric patients,of whom 92 cases were diagnosed with NPH.NPH was strongly correlated with mechanical ventilation(MV),high-frequency oscil-lation(HFO),hsPDA,disseminated intravascular coagulation(DIC),and intraventricular hemorrhage(IVH)(r=0.443,0.407,0.352,0.325,0.310,respectively;all P<0.001).Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome(NRDS)(grades 3-4),IVH,MV,HFO,DIC,and hsPDA were identified as independent risk factors for NPH in infants≤32 weeks of GA(OR=2.641,2.097,1.065,2.298,5.550,3.820,respectively;all P<0.05).GA,WT,PDA diameter,PDA velocity,left ventricular output(LVO),velocity of the late diastolic a'wave in the left ventricle(LV a'),and neonatal asphyxia(NA)were significant factors influencing NPH combined with hsPDA(all P<0.05).The PDA severity score(PDAsc)was determined to be a risk factor for mortality in infants≤32 weeks of GA with NPH and hsPDA(OR=1.265,95%CI 1.031-1.553,P=0.024).A strong correlation was observed between the predicted probability of death in infants with NPH and PDA and PDAsc(r=0.901,P=0.001).The ROC curve analysis demonstrated that PDAsc served as an ideal predictor of mortality in infants with NPH and PDA(AUC=0.687,P=0.002).Conclusions hsPDA is an independent risk factor for the development of NPH in infants≤32 weeks of GA.Additionally,PDAsc serves as a significant risk factor for mortality in infants≤32 weeks of GA who have both NPH and PDA,indicating a strong correlation and potential predictive value.

Objective:To investigate the current status and influencing factors of decision anxiety in guardians of children with acute appendicitis under Endoscopic retrograde appendicitis therapy (ERAT) background, and to provide reference for the development of targeted intervention programs for decision anxiety.Methods:Convenient sampling method was used to select 254 guardians of children with acute appendicitis treated in the Department of Pediatrics, Second Affiliated Hospital of PLA Air Force Medical University from February 2023 to April 2024. A cross-sectional survey was conducted using the General Data Questionnaire, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory Form Y-State anxiety subscale and the Preparation for Decision Making Scale. Multiple linear regression was used to analyze the influencing factors in guardians of children with acute appendicitis.Results:Among the guardians of 254 children with acute appendicitis, 156 were males and 98 were females, aged (37.44 ± 3.63) years old. The decision anxiety score of guardians of children with acute appendicitis was (52.49 ± 6.54). The results of multiple linear regression showed that age of children, gender of guardian, education level of guardian, per capita monthly income of family, decision making tendency and decision preparation were the main influencing factors of decision anxiety in guardians of children with acute appendicitis ( t values were -7.07-3.58, all P<0.05), which could explain 64.4% of the total variation. Conclusions:The decision anxiety in guardians of children with acute appendicitis is at a high level. Medical staff should provide targeted decision guidance, improve decision assistance programs and provide more effective decision support for guardians of children with acute appendicitis.

Objective To investigate the clinicopathological parameters and risk factors of the patients with connective tissue disease-associated interstitial lung disease(CTD-ILD)complicated with Epstein-Barr virus(EBV)viraemia.Methods The CTD-ILD pa-tients admitted to Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine,Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital from January 2023 to April 2024 were collected.Based on the detection results of EBV DNA,the patients were divided into the EBV DNA(+)group and EBV DNA(-)group.The clinicopathological parameters of the two groups were analyzed.Results Out of 162 CTD-ILD patients who underwent EBV DNA testing,a total of 28 were found to have EBV viraemia.The levels of serum albumin([32.7±4.1]g/L vs[34.8±3.8]g/L,t=2.559,P＜0.05),oxygenation index([268.5±94.0]mmHg vs[323.2±120.9]mmHg,t=2.062,P＜0.05),and percentages of predicted diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide([30.9±15.3]% vs[44.9±18.8]%,t=2.127,P＜0.05])in the EBV DNA(+)group were significantly lower than those in the EBV DNA(-)group,while the levels of lactate dehydrogenase(LDH,[369.1±206.2]U/L vs[298.8±128.7]U/L,t=2.335,P＜0.05)were significantly higher than that in the EBV DNA(-)group.The acute exacerbation of ILD in the EBV DNA(+)group was more common than that in the EBV DNA(-)group(P＜0.05).Multivariate Lo-gistic analysis showed that honeycombing and low oxygenation index were independent risk factors of CTD-ILD patients complicated with EBV viraemia.Conclusion The CTD-ILD patients complicated with EBV viraemia have poorer oxygenation and are more prone to suf-fer from acute exacerbation of ILD.Honeycombing in chest HRCT and low oxygenation index are independent risk factors of CTD-ILD patients complicated with EBV viraemia.

Objective To explore the preferences and influencing factors of terminal malignant tumor patients,and to provide a basis for optimizing hospice care.Methods A convenience sampling method was employed to select 485 patients with terminal malignant tumors from the oncology departments of two tertiary,class-A hospitals in Sichuan Province between September 2023 and November 2024.Data on demographic characteristics,decision-making-related information,preferences regarding resuscitation,and cultural belief levels were collected using a structured questionnaire.Results In critical situations,39.4%of patients opted for active rescue,33.6%chose to forgo treatment,and 27.0%preferred to maintain current treatment.Acceptance rates for nine specific interventions ranged from 28.9%to 61.2%.Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that stronger cultural beliefs,younger age,having a spouse,being the primary caregiver,employee medical insurance coverage,and use of invasive tubes were significantly associated with a tendency toward active or continued treatment(P<0.05).Prioritizing quality of life or concerns about economic burden were significantly associated with the decision to forgo life-sustaining interventions(P<0.05).Conclusions Patients with terminal malignant tumors exhibit diverse preferences regarding end-of-life resuscitation,significantly shaped by cultural beliefs,demographic factors,and family support.Clinicians should integrate patients'values,cultural backgrounds,and individual needs to provide tiered decision-making support,thereby facilitating medically appropriate and value-concordant care choices.

BACKGROUND:Condylar prosthesis replacement,as one of the surgical methods for the treatment of temporomandibular joint diseases,not only needs to restore the morphology and function,but also needs to ensure long-term stable application.OBJECTIVE:To design finite element analysis of a customized Gyroid condylar prosthesis.METHODS:Gyroid structure specimens with different wall thicknesses(250,350,450,550,650,and 750 μm)were designed by software.Finite element simulation compression experiments were carried out to test the elastic modulus of the specimens.The Gyroid structure wall thickness range that matches the elastic modulus of mandibular cancellous bone and whose pore size meets the osteogenesis conditions was screened out.This range was subdivided and Gyroid structure specimens were made using 3D printing technology.Mechanical compression experiments were carried out on a universal testing machine.The Gyroid structure wall thickness that meets the mechanical properties of mandibular bone,has an easier osteogenesis and a smaller strength was screened out by elastic modulus and compressive strength,and subsequent experiments were carried out.A three-dimensional model of a customized Gyroid condylar prosthesis was designed,and the finite element analysis of the blade jaw position and cusp interdigitation position of the model under natural occlusion was simulated.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Finite element analysis results showed that with the increase of wall thickness,the elastic modulus of Gyroid structure specimens increased.The elastic modulus of Gyroid structure specimens with wall thickness of 350,450,550,650,and 750 μm matched the elastic modulus of mandibular cancellous bone.Since the subsequent experiments needed to be subdivided into groups and the pore size of the 550,650,and 750 μm wall thickness group(pore size 800-1 000 μm)was within the osteogenesis range.Gyroid structure specimens with wall thickness of 550,600,650,700,and 750μm were selected for mechanical compression experiments on a universal testing machine.(2)The results of mechanical compression experiments showed that with the increase of wall thickness,the elastic modulus and compressive strength of Gyroid structure specimens increased.The elastic modulus of Gyroid structure specimens with wall thickness of 550,600,and 650 μm was within the elastic modulus of the mandibular cancellous bone.Finally,the wall thickness of 650 μm and the pore size of 900 μm were selected to construct the three-dimensional model of the mandibular customized Gyroid condylar prosthesis.(3)The results of finite element analysis of three-dimensional model of the mandibular customized Gyroid condylar prosthesis showed that the stress of the articular disc in the edge-to-edge occlusion was mainly concentrated on the lower surface of the anterior middle band,and the stress of the articular disc in the interposition of tooth tips was mainly concentrated on the lateral surface of the lower surface.The maximum displacement and the maximum equivalent stress of the left and right articular discs in the edge-to-edge occlusion and the interposition of tooth tips were similar.The maximum displacement was 0.031,0.030,0.028,and 0.018 mm,and the maximum equivalent stress was 2.87,2.30,2.73,and 1.71 MPa,respectively.(4)The results showed that the Gyroid structure with a wall thickness of 650 μm was consistent with the mechanical properties of the mandible,which reduced the strength of the titanium alloy and reduced the damage of the articular disc caused by the customized Gyroid condylar prosthesis.