Objective To analyze the incidence rate and risk factors of atrial fibrillation (AF) in elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods A total of 392 patients with COPD in the hospital were selected from December 2020 to December 2024. Patients' data (medical history, echocardiographic data, etc.) were recorded. The incidence rate of AF in patients was recorded and the patients were grouped according to whether or not they developed AF. The differences were compared between the two groups, and the risk factors of AF occurrence in elderly patients with COPD were analyzed. Results Among the 392 patients with COPD, 127 cases (32.40%) met the diagnostic criteria of AF. There were statistically significant differences in age, pulmonary infection, heart failure, diabetes, smoking history, disease duration, LAD, severe renal insufficiency and coronary heart disease between the AF group and the non-AF group (P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis suggested that age, pulmonary infection, heart failure, diabetes mellitus, smoking history, disease course, LAD, severe renal insufficiency and coronary heart disease were all risk factors for elderly patients with COPD (OR=1.129, 4.246, 3.955, 4.125, 2.038, 1.112, 1.102, 4.397, and 3.865, P<0.05). Conclusion The incidence rate of AF is high in elderly patients with COPD. Age, pulmonary infection, heart failure, diabetes mellitus, smoking history, course of disease, LAD, severe renal insufficiency, and coronary heart disease are all risk factors for AF.

ObjectiveTo evaluate pharmacological effects of Shengmai injection（SMI）on cerebral ischemia and study its neuroprotective mechanism. MethodsMale specific pathogen-free （SPF） Sprague-Dawley （SD） rats were randomly divided into a sham group， a model group， a low-dose SMI group（3 mL·kg^-1）， a middle-dose SMI group（6 mL·kg^-1）， a high-dose SMI group（12 mL·kg^-1）， and a Ginaton group（4 mL·kg^-1）according to the random number table method， with 12 rats in each group. The rat model of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion（MCAO/R）was prepared via the suture method. The administration groups were intraperitoneally injected with corresponding concentrations of SMI or Ginaton injection after reperfusion， which was conducted for 3 consecutive days. The sham group and model group were administered the equivalent volume of physiological saline. The pharmacological effects of SMI on brain injury in MCAO/R rats were evaluated by neurological function scores， cerebral infarction area， hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining， Nissl staining， terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling （TUNEL） staining， and Western blot. The dominant link and key protein of SMI treating cerebral injury were explored using proteomic analysis. The related mechanisms of SMI were further validated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）， Western blot， and chloride ion fluorescence probe with oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation（OGD/R）-treated PC12 cells and MCAO/R rats. ResultsCompared with the sham group， the model group showed significantly increased neurological function scores， cerebral infarction area， neuronal apoptosis rate， and expression levels of apoptosis related proteins （P<0.05， P<0.01）and significantly decreased density of Nissl bodies and neurons（P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the SMI groups exhibited significantly decreased neurological function scores， cerebral infarction area， neuronal apoptosis rate， and expression levels of apoptosis related proteins （P<0.05， P<0.01）and significantly increased density of Nissl bodies and neurons （P<0.05）. The proteomic analysis results showed that oxidative stress and inflammatory response were important processes of SMI intervening in MCAO/R injury， and the chloride intracellular channel protein 1 （CLIC1） was one of key proteins in its action network. The levels of representative indicators of oxidative stress and inflammatory response in the MCAO/R rats of the SMI groups were significantly reduced， compared with those in the model group（P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the expression levels of CLIC1 and downstream NOD-like receptor protein 3 （NLRP3） decreased （P<0.01）. In addition， the experimental results based on the OGD/R PC12 cells showed that SMI significantly increased the cell survival rate（P<0.01） and significantly decreased the intracellular chloride ion concentration（P<0.05）. ConclusionSMI has neuroprotective effects. Oxidative stress and inflammatory response are key processes of SMI intervening in MCAO/R injury. The potential mechanism is closely related to the regulation of CLIC1.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the analgesic efficacy of ultrasound-guided high fascia iliaca compartment block (HFICB) in managing tourniquet-related pain following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). METHODS: A prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted involving 84 patients with severe knee osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis who underwent unilateral TKA between March 2024 and December 2024. Patients were randomly assigned to two groups ( n=42) using a random number table. In the trial group, ultrasound-guided HFICB was performed preoperatively, with 0.2% ropivacaine injected into the fascia iliaca compartment. No intervention was administered in the control group. Baseline characteristics, including gender, age, surgical side, body mass index, and preoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) scores at rest and during movement, showed no significant difference between the two groups ( P>0.05). In both groups, a tourniquet was applied after osteotomy and before pulsed lavage, and removed after the closure of the first layer of the joint capsule. Postoperative assessments were conducted at 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours, including VAS scores at the tourniquet site (at rest and during movement), Bromage motor block scores, Ramsay sedation scores, and Bruggrmann comfort scale (BCS) scores to evaluate patient comfort. Additionally, the average tramadol consumption and incidence of nausea and vomiting within 48 hours postoperatively were recorded and compared. RESULTS: In the trial group and control group, VAS scores during movement at the tourniquet site significantly improved at all postoperative time points compared to preoperative levels ( P<0.05). VAS scores at rest increased transiently at 6 hours after operation in both groups, and then gradually decreased to the preoperative level. Except that there was no significant difference at 48 hours after operation in the trial group ( P>0.05), there were significant differences at other time points of two groups compared to preoperative score ( P<0.05). Except for VAS score at rest at 6 hours, VAS score during movement at 48 hours, and BCS comfort score at 48 hours ( P>0.05), the trial group showed significantly better outcomes than the control group in terms of VAS score at rest, VAS score during movement, Ramsay sedation scores, and BCS comfort scores at all other time points ( P<0.05). No significant difference was found in Bromage motor block scores between the groups ( P>0.05). Tramadol was used in 3 patients in the trial group and 7 patients in the control group within 48 hours after operation, the dosage was (133.30±14.19) mg and (172.40±22.29) mg, showing significant difference ( P<0.05). Nausea and vomiting occurred in 4 patients (9.5%) in the trial group and 3 patients (7.1%) in the control group, with no significant difference in incidence between groups ( P>0.05). CONCLUSION Ultrasound-guided HFICB provides effective analgesia for tourniquet-related pain following TKA, facilitates early postoperative functional recovery of the knee joint, and may serve as a valuable clinical option for postoperative pain management in TKA patients.
Humans ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee/adverse effects* ; Nerve Block/methods* ; Male ; Female ; Pain, Postoperative/etiology* ; Tourniquets/adverse effects* ; Prospective Studies ; Middle Aged ; Ropivacaine/administration & dosage* ; Aged ; Ultrasonography, Interventional ; Anesthetics, Local/administration & dosage* ; Pain Measurement ; Fascia ; Osteoarthritis, Knee/surgery* ; Treatment Outcome ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/surgery*

Objective To explore the perioperative safety and prognostic factors of sequential hepatectomy after conversion therapy using vascular interventional therapy(including transarterial chemoembolization and hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy)combined with tyrosine kinase inhibitors(TKI)and programmed death-1(PD-1)inhibitors in patients with initially unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma.Methods The clinical data of 106 eligible HCC patients treated in Tumor Hospital Affiliated to Guangxi Medical University from Nov.2019 to Apr.2024 were retrospectively analyzed.The perioperative parameters and postoperative pathological outcomes were described in detail,and factors influencing prognosis were analyzed.Results The median operative time for hepatectomy after conversion therapy was 240 min,with a median blood loss of 200 mL.Intraoperative blood transfusion was required in 24(22.6％)patients.Postoperative adverse reactions occurred in 49.1％(52/106)of patients,with liver failure being the most common adverse reactions(23 patients,21.7％).One(0.9％)patient died during the perioperative period,while the remaining 105 patients were followed up for a median duration of 14.7 months,during which 49(46.2％)patients experienced recurrence.Among them,39(36.8％)cases experienced early recurrence(within 1 year),and 33(31.1％)cases had intrahepatic recurrence.Thirteen(12.3％)patients died during follow-up.The median recurrence-free survival(RFS)was 15.7 months,with 1-year and 2-year RFS rates being 56.9％and 40.3％,respectively.The median overall survival(OS)was not reached,with 1-year and 2-year OS rates being 94.2％and 85.3％,respectively.Multivariate Cox regression analysis demonstrated that achieving complete pathological response(hazard ratio[HR]=0.410,95％confidence interval[CI]0.172-0.980,P=0.045),presence of microvascular invasion(HR=2.423,95％CI 1.269-4.625,P=0.007),satellite nodules(HR=1.916,95％CI 1.014-3.620,P=0.045),and multiple tumors(HR=1.818,95％CI 1.012-3.241,P=0.046)were independent factors associated with postoperative recurrence.Conclusion For patients with initially unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma,vascular interventional therapy combined with TKI and PD-1 inhibitors followed by sequential hepatectomy may be a feasible treatment strategy,with manageable adverse reactions and promising efficacy.

Objective To investigate the relationship between serum microRNA-30a-5p(miR-30a-5p),Runt-associated transcription factor 2(RUNX2)and the severity and prognosis of patients with sepsis-induced acute lung injury(ALI).Methods A total of 193 patients with sepsis-induced ALI(ALI group)and 54 pa-tients with simple sepsis(non-ALI group)admitted to the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical Uni-versity from January 2021 to February 2024 were selected,and the patients with sepsis-induced ALI were di-vided into a mild ALI group(57 cases),a moderate ALI group(64 cases),and a severe ALI group(72 cases)according to the oxygenation index,and were divided into a death group(71 cases)and a survival group(122 cases)according to the 28 day prognosis situation.Serum miR-30a-5p level was detected by real time fluores-cent quantitative PCR,serum RUNX2 level was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay,and the binding sites of miR-30a-5p and RUNX2 were predicted by online database.Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to analyze the correlation between miR-30a-5p and RUNX2 in patients with sepsis-induced ALI,and Spearman's correlation coefficient was used to analyze the correlation between serum miR-30a-5p,RUNX2 levels and oxygenation index in patients with sepsis-induced ALI.With the prognosis of patients with sepsis-induced ALI as the dependent variable,multivariate unconditional Logistic regression was used to determine their influencing factors,and receiver operating characteristic curve was plotted to evaluate the prognostic val-ue of serum miR-30a-5p and RUNX2 levels in patients with sepsis-induced ALI.Results Compared with the non-ALI group,serum miR-30a-5p level was lower and RUNX2 level was higher in the ALI group(t=-11.749,11.691,P＜0.001).There was a binding site between miR-30a-5p and RUNX2 at the 3'-untranslat-ed region 3 348-3 354.miR-30a-5p was negatively correlated with RUNX2 in patients with sepsis-induced ALI(r=-0.759,P＜0.001).The level of serum miR-30a-5p increased in the severe ALI group,the moderate ALI group and the mild ALI group in turn(P＜0.001),and the level of RUNX2 decreased in the severe ALI group,the moderate ALI group and the mild ALI group in turn(P＜0.001).Oxygenation index was negative-ly correlated with serum miR-30a-5p level(r=-0.749,P＜0.001),and positively correlated with RUNX2 level in patients with sepsis-induced ALI(r=0.723,P＜0.001).Independent protective factors for death in patients with sepsis-induced ALI were increased oxygenation index(OR=0.988,95％CI:0.981-0.996,P＜0.05),elevated miR-30a-5p(OR=0.814,95％CI:0.744-0.892,P＜0.05),and independent risk factors were increased Sequential Organ Failure Assessment(SOFA)score(OR=1.391,95％CI:1.116-1.734,P＜0.05),elevated blood lactate(OR=1.824,95％CI:1.211-2.748,P＜0.05),and elevated RUNX2(OR=1.366,95％CI:1.170-1.595,P＜0.05).The area under the curve of serum miR-30a-5p and RUNX2 levels combined to predict the death in patients with sepsis-induced ALI was 0.895(95％CI:0.842-0.934),which was greater than 0.788(95％CI:0.724-0.844)of serum miR-30a-5p and 0.786(95％CI:0.721-0.842)of RUNX2 levels alone(Z=4.015,3.746,P＜0.001).Conclusion Increased miR-30a-5p level and decreased RUNX2 level are associated with the aggravation of the disease and the increased risk of death in patients with sepsis-induced ALI.The combination of serum miR-30a-5p and RUNX2 levels has relatively high value in pre-dicting the prognosis of patients with sepsis-induced ALI.

OBJECTIVE To construct an evaluation index system for the core competencies of ethics committee members of drug clinical trial institution,providing a basis for optimizing the training system for committee members,improving the quality of ethical review,and fully safeguarding the safety and rights of subjects.METHODS Using methods such as literature research and expert consultation,a preliminary core competency evaluation index system was constructed.The Delphi method was employed to revise and validate it,ultimately forming an evaluation index system for the core competencies of ethics committee members.Based on this system,a questionnaire survey was conducted among 90 ethics committee members from 29 drug clinical trial institutions nationwide,comparing their importance rating and self-assessment scores of the core competency indexes.RESULTS The evaluation system constructed included 4 primary indicators(ethics and professional knowledge,ethics review ability,communication and expression ability,moral integrity and work style)and 39 secondary indicators(familiarity with the content of clinical trial-related laws and regulations,ability to complete project ethics review and identify ethical defects in research protocols within a short period of time,ability to judge the scientific value of clinical research,etc.).The results of questionnaire survey showed that the interviewed ethics committee members had significant capability gaps in dimensions such as regulatory knowledge,ethical norms,review efficiency,risk judgment,and problem analysis.The differences between the importance rating scores of corresponding secondary indicators and the self-assessment scores were all no less than 0.38.CONCLUSIONS This study has developed a quantifiable and stratified core competency assessment tool for ethics committee members.It can provide a scientific framework for committee member training,qualification certification,and standardized management of ethics committees.

Objective To explore influencing factors of subsequent fracture among elderly osteoporotic patients and provide a basis for improving the management and early intervention after osteoporotic fracture.Methods A total of 14 349 elderly patients with osteoporotic fracture in 594 hospitals across 31 provinces(autonomous regions and municipalities)were selected by convenience sampling method from September to December 2023.A general information questionnaire and a clinical characteristics of fracture questionnaire were used.The univariate analysis and logistic regression were used to clarify the influencing factors and gender differences.Results A total of 11364 valid questionnaires were collected,with a valid questionnaire recovery rate of 79.20％.Gender,age,occupation,education,marital status,family history of osteoporosis,comorbid osteoarthropathies/rheumatism/ophthalmopathies,bone mineral density,risk of fall,risk of fracture grade,reasons and site for first fracture,whether to use walking aid and receive home rehabilitation guidance were associated with the occurrence of subsequent fracture.Gender comparisons found that widowhood,family history of osteoporosis,comorbid rheumatism,vertebral fracture,alcohol consumption,fall or no causative factor triggering the fracture,and educational level,home rehabilitation instruction were associated with the risk of subsequent fracture only in women(P＜0.05).Smoking was associated with the risk of subsequent fracture only in men(P＜0.05).Conclusion Osteoporotic subsequent fracture in the elderly is affected by multidimensional factors,with significant gender differences.The surveillance of key populations should be strengthened in prevention,control and intervention.

Carbon dioxide(CO2),a colorless,odorless,low-density negative contrast agent with no nephrotoxicity or allergic reactions,has seen increasingly widespread application in the field of vascular imaging in recent years,particularly in patients with iodine allergy or renal insufficiency.When combined with digital subtraction angiography,CO2 angiography has demonstrated high-quality imaging in various arterial and venous sites such as the abdominal aorta,renal arteries,iliac arteries,lower limb arteries,and inferior vena cava.It has also shown safety and efficacy in clinical scenarios such as peripheral arterial disease,dialysis access evaluation,and transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt procedures.This review systematically summarizes domestic and international research progress on CO2 angiography,outlines its physicochemical properties,injection dosages and parameters,clinical indications,and imaging characteristics,and compares its image quality with that of iodine-based contrast agents.Common complications,their mechanisms,and preventive measures are also discussed.Although the image quality of CO2 is slightly inferior to that of iodine agents,it remains sufficient for most diagnostic and therapeutic needs,with a low overall incidence of mainly mild and transient adverse effects.With the development of automated injection systems and digital variance angiography technology,CO2 imaging quality is expected to continue improving,and its application scope is likely to expand further.Future efforts should focus on strengthening multicenter clinical research and establishing standardized operational protocols to promote the broader adoption and regulated use of this technology.

Objective To explore the mediating effect of empowerment ability between type D personality and self-management behavior of patients with diabetes mellitus(DM).Methods A total of 738 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)hospitalized in the Department of Endocrinology of three tertiary hospitals in Hainan Province from December 2022 to May 2023 were selected and divided into Type D personality(Type D,n=104)group and T2DM group(n=634).The general data,biochemical indexes,scores of negative emotion(NA),social inhibition(SI),empowerment ability,and scale of DM self-management activities(SDSCA)were compared between the two groups,and the correlation between type D personality,empowerment ability and self-management ability was analyzed.The mediating effect model was used to analyze the mediating effect of empowerment ability on the four self-management behaviors of patients with type D personality,and the chain mediating effect model was used to analyze the relationship between type D personality,empowerment ability,self-management behaviors and HbA1c.Results Compared with the T2DM group,HbA1c,proportion of rural residence,proportion of complications≥3,proportion of education level of junior high school or above,proportion of monthly income<3000 yuan,and NA and SI scores were significantly higher in the Type D group(P<0.05).The empowerment ability and scores of healthy diet,regular exercise,blood glucose monitoring and medication compliance were lower in the Type D group than in the T2DM group(P<0.05).Spearman correlation analysis showed that the empowerment ability score was positively correlated with the scores of healthy diet,regular exercise,blood glucose monitoring and medication compliance(P<0.05).NA and SI scores were negatively correlated with empowerment ability score,healthy diet,regular exercise,blood glucose monitoring and medication compliance(P<0.05).The results of model analysis with empowerment ability as the mediating variable showed that type D personality had direct,indirect and total effects on regular exercise,blood glucose monitoring,medication compliance and SDSCA total score(P<0.05),and indirect and total effects on regular diet score(P<0.05).The mediating effect of empowerment ability was significant(Bootstrap CI did not include 0).The chain mediating effect analysis showed that type D personality could indirectly affect HbA1c through empowerment ability,healthy diet(γ=0.389,95%CI 0.206～0.591),and medication compliance(γ=0.149,95%CI 0.040～0.265),and the effect proportion was 39.4%and 14.1%,respectively.Conclusions Type D personality can indirectly influence self-management behavior through the mediating effect of empowerment,and simultaneously affecting HbA1c through the chain effect of empowerment,diet,and medication behavior.

International studies have established that electrons, X-rays, protons, and heavy ions can all be utilized in ultra-high dose-rate radiotherapy. Among these modalities, megavoltage X-ray ultra-high dose-rate radiotherapy holds particularly broad clinical promise. With its long-term expertise in high-intensity pulsed radiation sources, the Institute of Applied Electronics at the China Academy of Engineering Physics has pioneered global solutions for generating and measuring megavoltage X-rays ultra-high dose-rate radiotherapy, positioning China at the forefront of this field. Herein, we review the development history, current status, and future trends in ultra-high dose-rate X-ray generation, measurement, and protection. The insights provided aim to serve as a reliable reference for clinical and preclinical research, equipment development, and standardization, thereby enabling more precise and reliable megavoltage ultra-high dose-rate X-ray production and measurement. We hope this work will significantly support further research and clinical translation of ultra-high dose-rate radiotherapy technology.