Objective:To investigate the practicality and clinical significance of quantitative indicators related to wide QRS complex in the diagnosis of atrial fibrillation (AF) with wide QRS complex.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted to analyze the dynamic electrocardiogram data of 93 patients who visited Ankang People's Hospital from January 2021 to December 2023. Based on the type of arrhythmia, the patients were divided into two groups: AF with premature ventricular contraction (PVC) group ( n = 65) and AF with intraventricular conduction abnormality group ( n = 28). The traditional diagnostic indicators and newly introduced quantitative indicators were compared between the two groups to analyze the clinical significance of the new quantitative indicators in identifying AF with wide QRS complex. Results:There were statistically significant differences in the occurrence of cannon waves, QRS duration > 140 ms, QRS morphology in lead V1, the R wave or qR pattern, or the deepest point of R being greater than r or rS in lead V1 being > 60 ms, R/S ratio in lead V6 < 1 or displaying QS pattern, the presence of a notching, a slow decline, or a prominent R wave in the QRS beginning in lead aVR, Vi/Vt in lead aVR ≤ 1, and the data regarding the electrical axis in the no man's land between the two groups ( χ2 = 11.83, 37.59, 26.05, 27.33, 5.30, 49.46, 34.95, 4.90, all P < 0.05). The premature interval/coupling interval in the AF with PVC group was (1.38 ± 0.32), which was significantly lower than (1.84 ± 0.43) in the AF with intraventricular condection abnormality group ( t = -5.71, P < 0.001). The quasi-compensatory pause/coupling interval and quasi-compensatory pause/premature interval in the AF with PVC group were (1.71 ± 0.36) and (1.28 ± 0.25), respectively, which were significantly higher than those in the AF with intraventricular conduction abnormality group ( t = 5.48, 5.06, both P < 0.001). The areas under the curve for the premature interval/coupling interval, quasi-compensatory pause /coupling interval, and quasi-compensatory pause/premature interval, and the combined three indicators (using logistic regression) in distinguishing AF with wide QRS complex were 0.810, 0.788, 0.818, and 0.953, respectively. The area under the curve for the combined three indicators was significantly greater than that for each individual indicator ( Z = -3.10, -3.92, -3.09, all P < 0.05). Conclusions:Premature interval/coupling interval, quasi-compensatory pause/coupling interval, and quasi-compensatory pause/premature interval show good value in the diagnosis of AF with wide QRS complex, and the combined use of the three can significantly improve the diagnostic accuracy.

Objective:To investigate the practicality and clinical significance of quantitative indicators related to wide QRS complex in the diagnosis of atrial fibrillation (AF) with wide QRS complex.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted to analyze the dynamic electrocardiogram data of 93 patients who visited Ankang People's Hospital from January 2021 to December 2023. Based on the type of arrhythmia, the patients were divided into two groups: AF with premature ventricular contraction (PVC) group ( n = 65) and AF with intraventricular conduction abnormality group ( n = 28). The traditional diagnostic indicators and newly introduced quantitative indicators were compared between the two groups to analyze the clinical significance of the new quantitative indicators in identifying AF with wide QRS complex. Results:There were statistically significant differences in the occurrence of cannon waves, QRS duration > 140 ms, QRS morphology in lead V1, the R wave or qR pattern, or the deepest point of R being greater than r or rS in lead V1 being > 60 ms, R/S ratio in lead V6 < 1 or displaying QS pattern, the presence of a notching, a slow decline, or a prominent R wave in the QRS beginning in lead aVR, Vi/Vt in lead aVR ≤ 1, and the data regarding the electrical axis in the no man's land between the two groups ( χ2 = 11.83, 37.59, 26.05, 27.33, 5.30, 49.46, 34.95, 4.90, all P < 0.05). The premature interval/coupling interval in the AF with PVC group was (1.38 ± 0.32), which was significantly lower than (1.84 ± 0.43) in the AF with intraventricular condection abnormality group ( t = -5.71, P < 0.001). The quasi-compensatory pause/coupling interval and quasi-compensatory pause/premature interval in the AF with PVC group were (1.71 ± 0.36) and (1.28 ± 0.25), respectively, which were significantly higher than those in the AF with intraventricular conduction abnormality group ( t = 5.48, 5.06, both P < 0.001). The areas under the curve for the premature interval/coupling interval, quasi-compensatory pause /coupling interval, and quasi-compensatory pause/premature interval, and the combined three indicators (using logistic regression) in distinguishing AF with wide QRS complex were 0.810, 0.788, 0.818, and 0.953, respectively. The area under the curve for the combined three indicators was significantly greater than that for each individual indicator ( Z = -3.10, -3.92, -3.09, all P < 0.05). Conclusions:Premature interval/coupling interval, quasi-compensatory pause/coupling interval, and quasi-compensatory pause/premature interval show good value in the diagnosis of AF with wide QRS complex, and the combined use of the three can significantly improve the diagnostic accuracy.

Background: We compared the diagnostic performance of the short five-item and full seven-item Mini Sarcopenia Risk Assessment Questionnaire (MSRA-5 and MSRA-7) against the Strength, Assistance walking, Rise from a chair, Climb stairs, and Falls (SARC-F) and SARC-F with calf circumference (SARC-CalF) scales for sarcopenia in healthy community-dwelling older adults. Methods: We conducted a post-hoc cross-sectional secondary data analysis of a prospective cohort study, using data from 230 older adults (mean age 67.2±7.4 years, 92% Chinese, and 73% female) from the “Longitudinal Assessment of Biomarkers for characterization of early Sarcopenia and Osteosarcopenic Obesity in predicting frailty and functional decline in community-dwelling Asian older adults Study” (GeriLABS-2) conducted between December 2017 and March 2019 in Singapore. We performed receiver operating characteristic curve analysis to ascertain the area under the curve (AUC) for sarcopenia diagnosis using the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia 2019 consensus criteria. We applied the Delong method to compare the AUCs of the four instruments. Results: The MSRA-5 and MSRA-7 demonstrated poor diagnostic performance (AUC of 0.511, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.433–0.589 and AUC of 0.526, 95% CI 0.445–0.606, respectively), compared to that in SARC-CalF (AUC of 0.739, 95% CI 0.671–0.808) and SARC-F (AUC of 0.564, 95% CI 0.591–0.636). The SARC-CalF demonstrated significantly superior discriminatory ability compared to that in the SARC-F, MSRA-5, and MSRA-7 (all p<0.01). The MSRA-5 demonstrated lower sensitivity (0.464) and specificity (0.597) than in the SARC-CalF (0.661 and 0.738, respectively), whereas the MSRA-7 had higher specificity (0.887) and lower sensitivity (0.145). Conclusions The poor diagnostic performances of the MSRA-5 and MSRA-7 in our study suggest limitations of self-reported questionnaires for assessing general and dietary risk factors for sarcopenia in healthy and culturally diverse community-dwelling older adults. Studies in different populations are needed to ascertain the utility of the MSRA for the community detection of sarcopenia.

Background:With the development of endoscopic techniques,the incidence of rectal neuroendocrine neoplasms(R-NEN)is increasing year by year,and its atypical symptoms and risk of metastasis make early and accurate localization of its primary site essential for its diagnosis and treatment.Aims:To explore the endoscopic ultrasonographic manifestations of R-NEN,compare the consistency between endoscopic ultrasonography(EUS)and pathological diagnosis,and analyze the reasons for these differences.Methods:Patients with pathologically confirmed R-NEN from January 2016 to December 2023 at Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University were recruited retrospectively in this study.The clinical characteristics and the microscopic manifestations of the lesions were analyzed,the diagnostic ability of EUS and postoperative pathology on the infiltration depth of the lesions were compared,and the factors affecting the diagnostic accuracy of EUS were analyzed.Results:A total of 127 patients with R-NEN were included in this study,54.3%(69/127)were male patients,with an average age of(51.00±12.30)years old.Most of the lesions seen microscopically were smooth spherical or hemispherical elevations located in the mucosal-submucosal layer of the rectum,with an average size of(0.77±0.62)cm,and a distance of(6.58±2.51)cm from the anal verge.The diagnostic compliance rate of EUS for lesions involving the submucosa was 98.3%(116/118),and the diagnostic accuracy for the intrinsic muscular layer and above was 55.6%(5/9).The difference of Kappa's consistency test between the two was statistically significant(P<0.05).The diagnostic accuracy of EUS for lesions of 10-20 mm(OR=5.068,95%CI:1.34-19.12,P=0.017)was acceptable,whereas lesions located in the upper rectum(OR=0.05,95%CI:0.01-0.75,P=0.031)and involving to the intrinsic muscular layer of the intestinal wall and above(OR=0.05,95%CI:0.01-0.59,P=0.017)could negatively affect its diagnostic accuracy.Conclusions:EUS has a high localization accuracy for R-NEN lesions,and can be used as a key method for the initial diagnosis of suspected R-NEN.For lesions located in the upper rectum and with deeper infiltration levels,a more standardized operation with more detailed analysis are recommended.

Background:With the development of endoscopic techniques,the incidence of rectal neuroendocrine neoplasms(R-NEN)is increasing year by year,and its atypical symptoms and risk of metastasis make early and accurate localization of its primary site essential for its diagnosis and treatment.Aims:To explore the endoscopic ultrasonographic manifestations of R-NEN,compare the consistency between endoscopic ultrasonography(EUS)and pathological diagnosis,and analyze the reasons for these differences.Methods:Patients with pathologically confirmed R-NEN from January 2016 to December 2023 at Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University were recruited retrospectively in this study.The clinical characteristics and the microscopic manifestations of the lesions were analyzed,the diagnostic ability of EUS and postoperative pathology on the infiltration depth of the lesions were compared,and the factors affecting the diagnostic accuracy of EUS were analyzed.Results:A total of 127 patients with R-NEN were included in this study,54.3%(69/127)were male patients,with an average age of(51.00±12.30)years old.Most of the lesions seen microscopically were smooth spherical or hemispherical elevations located in the mucosal-submucosal layer of the rectum,with an average size of(0.77±0.62)cm,and a distance of(6.58±2.51)cm from the anal verge.The diagnostic compliance rate of EUS for lesions involving the submucosa was 98.3%(116/118),and the diagnostic accuracy for the intrinsic muscular layer and above was 55.6%(5/9).The difference of Kappa's consistency test between the two was statistically significant(P<0.05).The diagnostic accuracy of EUS for lesions of 10-20 mm(OR=5.068,95%CI:1.34-19.12,P=0.017)was acceptable,whereas lesions located in the upper rectum(OR=0.05,95%CI:0.01-0.75,P=0.031)and involving to the intrinsic muscular layer of the intestinal wall and above(OR=0.05,95%CI:0.01-0.59,P=0.017)could negatively affect its diagnostic accuracy.Conclusions:EUS has a high localization accuracy for R-NEN lesions,and can be used as a key method for the initial diagnosis of suspected R-NEN.For lesions located in the upper rectum and with deeper infiltration levels,a more standardized operation with more detailed analysis are recommended.

Background: The terminology of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) was changed to metabolic dysfunction ⁃ associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) in 2020. NAFLD has been confirmed to be a risk factor for colorectal neoplasms, but the association between MAFLD and colorectal neoplasms is conflicting. Aims: To investigate the correlation of MAFLD with colorectal adenoma and early colorectal cancer. Methods: The clinical information of 701 patients who met the criteria and were admitted to Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University from January 2021 to August 2021 was collected retrospectively. Among them, 274 colorectal adenoma patients with low ⁃ grade intraepithelial neoplasia or without intraepithelial neoplasia were classified as adenoma group, 21 patients with high ⁃ grade intraepithelial neoplasia, intramucosal carcinoma, and submucosal carcinoma were classified as early cancer group, and 406 patients with normal colonoscopy or non⁃adenomatous polyps were served as control group. The general information and prevalence of MAFLD between these groups were compared. Furthermore, the correlation of MAFLD with colorectal adenoma and early colorectal cancer, and the gender difference of these correlations were analyzed by Logistic regression models. Subgroup analysis was performed based on the clinicopathological characteristics of colorectal adenoma. Results: When adjusting the confounding variables including gender, age, smoking, alcohol drinking, diabetes, hypertension, and serum creatinine, MAFLD was significantly associated with the prevalence of colorectal adenoma (OR=1.83, 95% CI: 1.04 ⁃ 3.22, P=0.037) and early colorectal cancer (OR=3.91, 95% CI: 1.14⁃13.42, P=0.031). When stratified as gender, the significant association remained in females (OR=4.04, 95% CI: 1.56 ⁃ 10.47, P=0.004), but not in males. In addition, no correlation was found between MAFLD and the location, size, number, and advanced histology of colorectal adenoma (all P>0.05). Conclusions: MAFLD is an independent risk factor for colorectal adenoma and early colorectal cancer. MAFLD is specifically associated with increased risk of colorectal adenoma in females but not in males.

Objective:To investigate the risk factors affecting in-hospital mortality in patients with acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI).Methods:From January 1, 2014 to June 30, 2022, the clinical data of 67 patients diagnosed with AMI at Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University were retrospectively analyzed, which included basic data (age, gender, past medical history and comorbidities, etc.), laboratory results (white blood cell count (WBC), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatinine, prothrombin time (PT), etc.), and imaging manifestations (intestinal pneumatosis, intestinal wall thickening, intestinal dilation, ascites). The clinical data of AMI patients who died during hospitalization were compared with that of AMI patients who survived. Binary logistic regression was used to analyze the independent risk factors of in-hospital mortality in patients with AMI. Mann-Whitney U test and chi-square test were used for statistical analysis. Results:Among the 67 patients with AMI, 17 died and 50 survived. There were significant differences between died and survived patients with AMI in age, the proportion of patients with organ failure, WBC, ALT, AST, creatinine, PT, and the proportion of patients with intestinal dilatation and ascites (76 years old(68 years old, 79 years old) vs. 61 years old (50 years old, 74 years old), 12/17 vs.12.0%(6/50), 15.8×10 9/L(13.5×10 9/L, 23.7×10 9/L) vs. 12.1×10 9/L (9.1×10 9/L, 19.4×10 9/L), 32.0 U/L(19.0 U/L, 88.5 U/L) vs. 20.5 U/L(14.8 U/L, 29.0 U/L), 64.0 U/L(33.8 U/L, 117.0 U/L) vs. 26.0 U/L (18.5 U/L, 36.8 U/L), 135.0 μmol/L(61.5 μmol/L, 198.5 μmol/L) vs. 73.5 μmol/L(60.5 μmol/L, 85.0 μmol/L), 13.7 s(12.9 s, 16.3 s) vs. 12.7 s (11.9 s, 13.6 s), 13/17 vs. 38.0%(19/50), 10/17 vs. 24.0% (12/50); Z=3.06, χ2=22.16, Z=2.01, 2.69, 4.08, 2.45 and 2.78, χ2=7.53 and 6.98; P=0.002, <0.001, =0.044, =0.007, <0.001, =0.014, =0.006, =0.006 and =0.008). The results of binary logistic regression analysis showed that age ( OR=1.224, 95% confidence interval 1.011 to 1.482, P=0.038), organ failure ( OR=113.989, 95% confidence interval 1.353 to 9 604.644, P=0.036), and ascites ( OR=348.289, 95% confidence interval 1.676 to 72 357.934, P=0.032) were independent risk factors of in-hospital mortality in AMI patients. Conclusion:Age, organ failure and ascites are independent risk factors of in-hospital mortality in AMI patients.

Objective:To understand the epidemiological characteristics of mpox epidemic in Guangzhou and provide scientific evidence for the prevention and control of the disease.Methods:Based on the mpox surveillance system in Guangzhou, suspected mpox cases with fever and rash were reported by local hospitals at all levels to centers for disease control and prevention in Guangzhou for sampling, investigation and diagnosis. Descriptive epidemiological analysis was conducted on the clinical characteristics and treatment of the mpox cases and positive detection rate reported in Guangzhou as of 24:00 on June 23. Whole genome sequencing of the virus isolates was performed using Illumina Miniseq high-throughput sequencing platform.Results:The first mpox case in Guangzhou was reported on June 10 in 2023. As of 24:00 on June 23, a total of 25 confirmed mpox cases were reported. All the mpox cases were men with a M( Q1, Q3) of 32 (26, 36) years, the majority of the cases were MSM (96.0%). The main clinical features were rash (100.0%, 25/25), lymphadenectasis (100.0%, 25/25) and fever (52.0%, 13/25). Rash usually occurred near the genitals (88.0%, 22/25). The close contacts, mainly family members (40.4%, 23/57), showed no similar symptoms, such as fever or rash. The positive rate of mpox virus in household environment samples was 30.5%. The analyses on 3 complete gene sequences of mpox virus indicated that the strains belonged to West African type Ⅱb clade, B.1.3 lineage. Conclusions:Hidden transmission of mpox virus had occurred in MSM in Guangzhou. However, the size of affected population is relatively limited, and the possibility of wide spread of the virus is low.

Introduction: Despite the benefits of cervical cancer screening, Pap smear uptake remains variable in Malaysia, with Johor previously reported as the state with the lowest uptake. This study aims to fill the gap in epidemiological knowledge and assess factors affecting the uptake of Pap smear screening among women in Johor. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in several government and private clinics across Johor, including Pagoh, Muar, Batu Pahat, Kulai, and Johor Bahru districts. Data was collected from 452 women using self-administered questionnaires, and logistic regression was performed to determine factors associated with Pap smear uptake. Results: Findings showed that 48.5% of the women reported having undergone Pap smear screening in the previous 3 years, and 40.0% and 51.3% of respondents accurately answered questions on symptoms and risk factors of cervical cancer, respectively. Increasing age (ORadj 2.322, 95% CI 1.708–3.158), being married (ORadj 4.860, 95% CI 1.100–21.476), parity of ≥5 (ORadj 8.381, 95% CI 1.326–52.958), young age at first pregnancy (ORadj 0.932, 95% CI 0.877–0.991), knowledge of cervical cancer symptoms (ORadj 1.745, 95% CI 1.065–2.857), support from family (ORadj 3.620, 95% CI 2.081–6.298), and contraception use (ORadj 2.220, 95% CI 1.314–3.750) were significantly associated with increased Pap smear uptake among women visiting outpatient clinics in Johor. Conclusion Pap smear uptake remains suboptimal in Johor, and broad-based awareness campaigns tailored towards improving knowledge of cervical cancer with family involvement are crucial to improving uptake among women in Johor.
Papanicolaou Test ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; Knowledge ; Early Detection of Cancer

Objective:To investigate the effect of celastrol (CEL) on autophagy and endoplasmic reticulum stress-mediated apoptosis in a mouse model of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).Methods:Eighteen male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into normal control (NC, n=6), high-fat diet (HFD, n=6) and celastrol group (HFD+CEL, n=6). The normal control group was fed with regular diet, and the high-fat diet and celastrol group were fed with high-fat diet for 12 weeks. After successful modeling, celastrol group were injected with 100 μg?kg -1?d -1 celastrol intraperitoneally for 4 weeks, and NC and HFD group were injected intraperitoneally with the same doses of normal saline. Serum concentrations of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were measured in mouse after 4-weeks of intervention. HE and Oil Red O staining were used to observe the pathomorphological changes and lipid droplet deposition in mouse liver, and the findings were scored according to NAFLD activity score (NAS). Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of liver microtubule associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3), P62, glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78), protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK), phosphorylated PERK (p-PERK), activated transcription factor 4 (ATF4), C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), cleaved Caspase-3(cleaved caspase-3), B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) and Bcl-2 related X protein (Bax).TUNEL staining was used to observe the apoptosis of hepatocytes. One-way analysis of variance was used for the intergroup comparison. Results:Serum levels of ALT (68.71±8.57) U/L, AST (209.63±28.64) U/L, TG (0.97±0.14) mmol/L, TC (4.12±0.64) mmol/L, and LDL -C (0.40±0.06) mmol/L were lower in celastrol group mouse than HFD group [(110.19±10.79) U/L, (399.72±73.47) U/L, (1.44±0.13) mmol/L, (5.65±0.54) mmol /L, (0.61±0.07) mmol/L] ( P<0.05); while the serum HDL-C level (1.29±0.17) mmol/L was higher in celastrol than HFD group (0.72±0.13) mmol/L ( P<0.05). HE and Oil Red O staining showed that lipid deposition and intralobular inflammation were apparent in the liver tissue of HFD group mouse, and the NAS score was significantly increased, while the hepatocyte steatosis and intralobular inflammation were alleviated after celastrol intervention, and the NAS score was decreased significantly ( P<0.05). Compared with HFD group, the ratio of LC3II/I was significantly increased in the liver of celastrol group mouse, and the P62 was significantly decreased ( P<0.05). Meanwhile, the expression level of GRP78, p-PERK/PERK , ATF4, and CHOP was significantly lower in celastrol than HFD group ( P<0.05). In addition, the expressions of cleaved caspase-3 and Bax were significantly lower in celastrol than HFD group, and the expression of Bcl-2 was significantly increased ( P<0.05). At the same time, the apoptosis rate of hepatocytes was also significantly lower in celastrol than HFD group ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Celastrol can effectively alleviate the lipid deposition, protect hepatocytes and delay the progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in mouse liver with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. In addition, its mechanism of action may be related to the induction of autophagy, inhibition of endoplasmic reticulum stress PERK/ATF4/CHOP pathway and its mediated apoptosis.