Objective To explore the correlation between the expression level of secreted curl associated protein 5(SFRP5)and the condition and prognosis of patients with severe pneumonia.Methods A total of 168 patients with pneumonia admitted to the Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine of this hospital from June 2022 to June 2024 were selected as the research subjects,and 78 healthy individuals who underwent physical examinations in this hospital during the same period were selected as the control group.According to the acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ(APACHEⅡ)score,the patients were di-vided into the common pneumonia group(APACHE Ⅱ score＜15,n=82)and the severe pneumonia group(APACHE Ⅱ score≥ 15,n=86).Peripheral venous blood was collected from the three groups after fasting for 8 to 12 hours and peripheral blood mononuclear cells were extracted by centrifuging.Real-time fluores-cence quantitative PCR was used to detect the expression level of SFRP5 mRNA in peripheral blood mononu-clear cells,which was Used to determine the expression level of SFRP5.Pearson analysis was used to analyze the correlations between the expression level of SFRP5 and the levels of inflammatory factors,pulmonary function indices and the condition in patients with severe pneumonia.The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to analyze the diagnostic efficiency of the expression level of SFRP5 for the prognosis of patients with severe pneumonia.Results There were also significant differences in the levels of WBC,C re-active protein(CRP),procalcitonin(PCT),interleukin(IL)-6,and IL-8 among the three groups(P＜0.05),with the highest levels observed in the severe pneumonia group and the lowest in the control group.There were significant differences in the levels of forced expiratory volume in the first second(FEV1),forced vital capacity(FVC),and FEV1/FVC among the three groups(P＜0.05),with the highest levels observed in the severe pneumonia group and the lowest in the control group.The expression level of SFRP5 in the severe pneumonia group was the lowest(0.46±0.13),followed by the common pneumonia group(0.78±0.15),and the control group was the highest level(1.23±0.22),with statistically significant differences(P＜0.05).The results of Pearson correlation analysis showed that the expression level of SFRP5 in patients with severe pneu-monia was negatively correlated with the levels of WBC,CRP,PCT,IL-6,IL-8,and the APACHE Ⅱ score(P＜0.05),and positively correlated with the levels of FEV1,FVC,and FEV1/FVC(P＜0.05).The area un-der the curve(AUC)of the expression level of SFRP5 for predicting poor prognosis in patients with severe pneumonia was 0.843(95％CI:0.748-0.912),with a sensitivity of 68.18％and a specificity of 89.06％.Conclusion The expression level of SFRP5 is related to the condition of patients with severe pneumonia,and SFRP5 can predict the prognosis of patients with severe pneumonia.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of GJB2 gene c.109G>A (p.V37I) variant among infants with congenital hearing loss and analyze the initial audiological characteristics of children harboring the variant, compare the audiometric difference among individuals with various genotypes, and explore genetic and audiological manifestations of the affected families. METHODS: One hundred twenty six infants diagnosed with congenital hearing loss at the Neonate Screening Center of Ningbo City from June 2021 to December 2024 were selected as the study subjects. The neonates, in addition with members from 16 of their families, had undergone genetic screening for variants of 208 hotspot sites within 24 deafness-associated genes. For cases identified with monoallelic variants and concurrent hearing loss, the full GJB2 gene was sequenced. Meanwhile, a retrospective analysis was carried out on 23 children whom were confirmed to have hearing loss and the c.109G>A variant by whole exome sequencing from March 2022 to December 2024. And 102 children who were excluded to have hearing loss and pathogenic variants by whole exome sequencing were selected as normal controls. Audiological features of individuals harboring the c.109G>A variant were compared. This study has been approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of The Affiliated Women and Children's Hospital of Ningbo University (Ethics No.: EC2023-009). RESULTS: For the 126 infants with congenital hearing loss, prospective screening has identified 58 (46.03%) to harbor the c.109G>A variant. These included 38 homozygotes and 16 compound heterozygotes. Retrospective review of the 23 c.109G>A positive children has identified 15 as homozygotes and 8 as compound heterozygotes. Genetic testing of the 16 pedigrees has identified 7 homozygotes and 1 compound heterozygote. For the homozygotes combined (n = 53), 96.2% exhibited bilateral symmetric hearing loss, with 78.3% showing high-frequency sloping patterns, and 98.1% having a hearing threshold ranging from 20 to 65 dB. For the compound heterozygotes combined (n = 24), 95.8% showed symmetric loss, with 59.4% having high-frequency sloping, and 97.9% had a hearing threshold ranging from 20 to 65 dB. Both groups showed significantly elevated ABR/PTA thresholds compared with the normal controls (P = 0.000). The compound heterozygous group had higher ABR thresholds (43.3 ± 15.0 dB nHL) compared with the homozygous group (39.1 ± 12.0 dB nHL, P = 0.005). CONCLUSION Infants harboring the GJB2 c.109G>A variant primarily manifest as mild-to-moderate, symmetric, high-frequency sloping hearing loss. Nearly one-third of affected children have thresholds between 20 to 35 dB nHL, suggesting that ABR > 35 dB nHL alone may underestimate the hearing impairment in this population. Compared with homozygotes, compound heterozygotes with the the GJB2 c.109G>A variant can confer a more severe hearing loss.
Humans ; Connexin 26/genetics* ; Female ; Male ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant ; Hearing Loss/genetics* ; Retrospective Studies ; Child, Preschool ; Child ; Genotype ; Connexins/genetics* ; Mutation

On the basis of the clinical characteristics of atherosclerosis(AS)in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)and Western medicine,this paper analyzes common animal models of AS.The coincidence of clinical characteristics of the models was scored in the hope of providing new ideas and a reference for those studying AS.This paper reviews the varieties,modeling method,modeling principles,and characteristics of common animal models of AS.Moreover,similarities among common animal models,in terms of their clinical diagnostic criteria and symptom characteristics,were assessed.High-fat feeding type,mechanical injury combined with high-fat feeding type,genetic engineering combined with high-fat feeding type,chemical induction combined with high-fat feeding type,and combined Chinese clinical syndrome and Western disease AS models are widely established.Comparative analysis showed that balloon injury combined with high fat feeding type,ApoE receptor-knockout mouse combined with high-fat diet type,and phlegm and blood stasis type models of disease and symptom combinations showed a comparatively high level of clinical agreement between Chinese and Western medicine.Presently,most animal models of AS have a high degree of relevance to Western medicine,and the evaluation criteria used for the models are predominately from a Western medicine perspective.Models that combine disease and syndrome are lacking,hindering the development of wholism concepts and treatment through the differentiation of syndromes used in TCM.Therefore,establishing an animal model with a high degree of accuracy and coincidence between TCM and Western perspectives that combines the disease and its TCM symptoms is a top priority for studying the prevention and treatment of AS.

Objective To construct and validate a risk prediction model for delayed healing of venous leg ulcer(VLU),so as to provide a reference basis for early identification of people at high risk of delayed healing.Methods Using a convenience sampling method,331 VLU patients attending vascular surgery departments in 2 tertiary A hospitals in Sichuan Province from January 2018 to December 2022 were selected as a modeling group and an internal validation group,and 112 patients admitted to another tertiary A hospital were selected as an external validation group.Risk factors for delayed healing in VLU patients were screened using univariate analysis,LASSO regression,and multivariate logistic regression analysis,and a risk prediction model was constructed using R software,and the predictive effects of the models were examined using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve,the Hosmer-Lemeshow test,decision curve,and the bootstrap resampling for internal validation and spatial external validation were performed,respectively.Results The predictors that ultimately entered the prediction model were diabetes(OR=4.752),deep vein thrombosis(OR=4.104),lipodermatosclerosis(OR=5.405),ulcer recurrence(OR=3.239),and ankle mobility(OR=5.520).The model had good discrimination(AUC:0.819 for internal validation and 0.858 for external validation),calibration(Hosmer-Lemeshow test:χ2=13.517,P=0.095 for internal validation and χ2=3.375,P=0.909 for external validation)and clinical validity.Conclusion The model constructed in this study has good differentiation and calibration,and it can effectively predict people at high risk of delayed healing of VLU,which facilitates targeted clinical interventions to improve ulcer outcomes and reduce the risk of delayed ulcer healing.

Familial glucocorticoid deficiency type 4(FGD4) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations in the nicotinamide nucleotide transhydrogenase(NNT) gene. The article presented clinical data, laboratory results, and genetic mutation findings of a child with FGD4. Additionally, a retrospective analysis of the clinical data of FGD4 patients reported domestically and internationally was conducted, summarizing the types of gene mutations and clinical characteristics. This case identifies novel mutation sites in the NNT gene, providing a basis for the early diagnosis and treatment of FGD4 patients.

Objective:To investigate the current status of diagnosis and treatment of Helicobacter pylori ( H. pylori) infection in primary hospitals in Jiangsu Province, and to evaluate the capability of comprehensive prevention and management of H. pylori infection in the primary hospitals. Methods:From 2020 to 2022, a questionnaire survey was conducted among 430 primary hospitals, which participated in the Incubation Center Project of Primary Gastroenterology Specialty Department in Jiangsu Province. The questionnaire survey includedthe establishmment of endoscopy and department of gastroenterology, items of H. pylori detection, H. pylori treatment, eradication plans and treatment course. The questionnaire was filled by the director of the primary hospital. Descriptive analysis was used for statistical analysis. Results:A total of 413 valid questionnaires were received. Among the 413 primary hospitals, 286 (69.2%) were equipped with endoscopy centers, and 202 (48.9%) had departments of gastroenterology. In terms of diagnostic methods for H. pylori, 35.8% (148/413) of the primary hospitals did not have urea breath test equipment, of which 84 hospitals did not carry out any H. pylori testing items, 8 hospitals only had rapid urease test, 45 hospitals only had serum H. pylori antibody test, 7 hospitals had both rapid urease test and serum H. pylori antibody test, and 4 hospitals had fecal H. pylori antigen test. In terms of therapeutic drugs, all the hospitals could provide proton pump inhibitors, and 82.8% (342/413) of the hospitals had bismuth agents. According to diagnosis and treatment guideline for H. pylori infection at the primary care, 7 combinations of two antibiotics were recommended. A total of 14 (3.4%) hospitals could provide all the combinations, 369 (89.3%)hospitals could provide 2 to 6 combinations, 20(4.8%)hospitals could provide only one combination, and 10 (2.4%) hospitals could not provide any combination. For the selection of the eradication scheme and treatment course, the bismuth-based quadruple scheme was chosen in 248 (60.0%) hospitals, 14-day course was selected in 363(87.9%) hospitals, and 14-day course of bismuth-based quadruple scheme was selected in 232 (56.2%) hospitals. Conclusion:Improving the H. pylori testing equipment in primary hospitals, preparing all types of therapeutic drugs, and improving doctors′ knowledge of diagnosis and treatment of H. pylori in are of great significance for improving the prevention and treatment efficacy of H. pylori infection at the primary hospitals.

Objective:To investigate the type and severity of skin adverse reactions induced by afatinib in the treatment of lung cancer, and to analyze their correlation with anti-lung cancer efficacy.Methods:A case-case-control study was conducted on lung cancer patients treated with afatinib in ZhongDa Hospital, Southeast University from December 2016 to January 2018. The type and severity of skin adverse reactions were evaluated in 76 patients with lung cancer based on the National Cancer Institute-Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (NCI-CTCAE) Version 4.0, and these patients were divided into 3 groups according to the severity of skin lesions, including grade-0, -1, and -2/3 groups. The patients underwent chest computed tomography (CT) examination every 3 months, and the tumor response to afatinib was evaluated according to the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) . Anti-lung cancer efficacy of afatinib was compared among the patients with different grades of skin lesions by using the Kruskal-wallis H rank sum test. Results:After treatment with afatinib, 44 of the 76 patients with lung cancer achieved stable condition or partial remission, and 32 experienced disease progression. Skin adverse reactions occurred in 69 patients, and manifested as acneiform lesions in 42 (55.3%) patients, paronychia in 35 (46.1%) , mucosal erosions in 30 (39%) , hair changes in 8 (10.5%) , and hand-foot syndrome in 6 (7.9%) . Improvement was achieved in 3, 7 and 34 cases in the grade-0, -1, and -2/3 groups ( n = 7, 19 and 50 respectively) , respectively. There was a significant difference in the response rate among the 3 groups ( χ2 = 6.117, P = 0.047) , and the response rate was significantly higher in the grade-1 and -2/3 groups than in the grade-0 group (both P < 0.001) , and higher in the grade-2/3 group than in the grade-1 group ( P < 0.001) . Conclusion:The treatment of lung cancer with afatinib can cause various types of skin lesions, such as acneiform lesions, paronychia, mucosal erosions, hair changes and hand-foot syndrome, and the higher the severity of the skin lesions, the more marked the anti-lung cancer efficacy of afatinib.

Objective:To observe the effect of observing good swallowing on the swallowing action of stroke survivors with dysphagia.Methods:Eighteen stroke survivors with dysphagia were randomly divided into a treatment group ( n=9) and a control group ( n=9). In addition to routine swallowing rehabilitation therapy, the treatment group was asked to simulate swallowing after watching a video of normal people′s swallowing action. They did so 5 times a week for 10 minutes, while the control group just watched landscape videos at the same time. The treatment lasted 8 weeks. Before and after the treatment, both groups were assessed using the eating assessment tool (EAT-10), the functional oral intake scale (FOIS) and the penetration and aspiration scale (PAS). Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was also used to observe their swallowing action. Results:There was no significant difference between the two groups in any of the measurements before the treatment. After the 8 weeks of treatment the average EAT-10, FOIS and PAS scores of the treatment group were all significantly better than before the treatment and better than the control group′s averages at the time. fMRI showed significantly more areas activated in the precuneus, parietal lobe, posterior central gyrus, BA7, BA5, frontal lobe and paracentral lobule in the treatment group compared with before the intervention and also more than in the control group.Conclusions:Observing proper swallowing action can improve dysphagia and activation of the swallowing-related brain areas of stroke survivors.

Objective:To investigate the correlation between collateral flow compensation mode and interventional treatment decision in patients with severe bilateral internal carotid artery stenosis/occlusion.Methods:According to the location of internal carotid artery lesions, patients with severe stenosis/occlusion of bilateral internal carotid artery were selected at the Second Affiliated Hospital, Qiqihar Medical University and the Sixth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital from May 2017 to June 2020.Results:A total of 42 patients were finally enrolled and divided into 4 types, including 34 males and 8 females with median age 61±8(48-82)years. The collateral circulation pathways manifested as following modes: anterior communicating artery collateral, posterior communicating artery collateral, ophthalmic artery collateral, posterior cerebral middle cerebral artery pial anastomosis collateral, posterior choroidal artery anterior choroidal artery collateral, external carotid internal carotid artery C4 segment collateral, pericallosal artery anastomosis collateral, dural and pial collateral and neovascularization. Type Ⅰ severe stenosis/occlusion of C1 segment was found in 20 cases (47.6%). There were 5 cases (11.9%) of type Ⅱ severe stenosis/occlusion from C2 to C6 prior to ophthalmic artery branch. Type Ⅲ severe stenosis/occlusion occurred in 2 cases (4.8%) after the split of ophthalmic artery. Type Ⅳ was mixed type in 15 cases (35.7%).Conclusions:The compensatory pathway of collateral circulation is closely related to the lesion location. To explore the compensatory pattern of collateral circulation is helpful for clinicians to accurately analyze the lesion characteristics and guide individualized interventional therapy.

From April to November 2019, 5 community health service centers in Shanghai Hongkou District were randomly selected for thematic group interviews to investigate the current status, problems and challenge for further development of chronic disease management. The community chronic disease management was mainly divided into growth period (typically hypertension and diabetes) and introduction period (cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, dementia, osteoporosis). The management of hypertension and diabetes in the growing stage mainly faced difficulties such as refusal or non-cooperation of patients, loss of follow-up, incomplete quality control, not meeting quality control indicators, repeated management of comorbidities, insufficient information sharing, and discrepancy in assessment indicators of multiple parties. The management of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, respiratory diseases and other diseases in the introduction period mainly faced poor awareness rate of patients, loss of follow-up, difficulty in diagnosis, irregular medication, insufficient information sharing, lack of management plan, insufficient resource investment, and few variety of medicines in the community. The current management system should be refined to provide more effective and efficient chronic disease management in the community. Meanwhile, the awareness of residents, the information network and multi-center collaborative research also need to be strengthened.