Objective:To investigate the association between frailty and prognosis of elderly patients in the emergency department, and to validate frailty screening tools suitable for the emergency department.Methods:This was a prospective cohort study. Clinical data of elderly patients over 60 years old treated in the emergency department of Beijing Bo'Ai Hospital from January to December 2021 were collected. The Frailty Screening Questionnaire (FSQ), FRAIL Scale (FRAIL) and Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) were used to score patients, and patients were divided into frail or non-frail group according to the criteria of the above three scales. Twelve-month all-cause mortality was the primary endpoint, dependence and re-admission to the emergency department within 12 months were secondary outcomes. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to evaluate the ability of the FSQ, FRAIL and CFS scores to predict the primary and secondary endpoints, and the areas under the curve (AUC) were calculated and compared. Survival analysis was performed using Cox hazard proportional regression model, and relative risk was expressed as hazard ratio ( HR) and 95% CI. Results:A total of 406 patients were included in the study. The AUCs (95% CI) of FSQ, FRAIL and CFS scores for predicting 12-month all-cause mortality were 0.879 (0.844-0.909), 0.838 (0.798-0.872), 0.906 (0.873-0.933), respectively (all P<0.001). The AUCs of 3 scores for predicting secondary endpoints ranged from 0.820 to 0.889 (all P<0.001). Pairwise comparisons of the AUCs showed that the CFS was superior to one or both of the other frailty screening scales in predicting 12-month all-cause mortality and dependence except for re-admission to emergency room within 12 months after discharge (all P<0.05). Cox regression analysis revealed that, after adjusting for sex, age, body mass index and comorbidities, frailty as defined by the FSQ, FRAIL, and CFS scales was independently associated with 12-month all-cause mortality, with the HRadj of 3.267 (95% CI: 2.406-4.435), 2.465 (95% CI: 1.819-3.341), 3.523 (95% CI: 2.648-4.687), respectively (all P<0.001). Conclusions:FSQ, FRAIL and CFS scores can predict adverse outcomes, the CFS is a practical frailty screening tool in the emergency department, and frailty screening can improve the risk stratification of older patients.

Objective:To explore the association between acute muscle wasting during hospitalization and poor prognosis in older patients with severe community-acquired pneumonia (SCAP) in emergency department.Methods:This study was a prospective cohort study. From January 1, 2022 to October 31, 2022, consecutive patients aged ≥65 years who met the diagnostic criteria of SCAP and had an interval of 14 days between two CT scans in the emergency department of Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital were enrolled. The general clinical data and cross-sectional area of the erector spinae muscle (ESMcsa) of the thoracic 12 level derived from chest CT on day 1 and day 14 were recorded and the differences between the two measurements were calculated. Patients were divided into survival group and non-survival group based on whether they died within 28 days. Two independent samples t-test and Mann Whitney U test were used to compare the dynamic changes of ESMcsa between two groups, and paired t-test and Wilcoxon signed rank test were used to compare the changes of ESMcsa within two groups. Multivariable Cox regression analysis was used to identify the risk factors for 28-day mortality, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to determine the predictive value of ESMcsa loss for 28-day mortality. The optimal cutoff value was determined on the basis of the Youden index (YI), patients were divided into a high muscle loss group and a low muscle loss group, and Kaplan Meier survival curve was drawn. Results:A total of 106 older patients with SCAP were included, with a median age of 82.0 years and 59 were men (55.7%). The ESMcsa levels of patients in non-survival group were lower than those in survival group both at admission and on the 14th day (both P<0.01). The ESMcsa levels on admission were lower than those on the 14th day in non-survival group ( P<0.001). The loss of ESMcsa in non-survival group [3.01 (-1.51, 7.73) cm 2vs. 0.80 (-2.58, 4.57) cm 2, P=0.020] was higher than that in the survival group. Multivariable Cox regression showed that ESMcsa loss was an independent risk factor for 28-day mortality ( HR=1.116, 95%CI: .029-1.210, P=0.010), the AUC for predicting 28-day mortality was 0.646 (95% CI: 0.528-0.763, P=0.020), and the optimal cut-off value was 6.22 cm 2. Kaplan Meier survival curve showed that the 28-day mortality risk in the high muscle loss group was higher than that in the low muscle loss group ( χ2=11.412, P=0.001). Conclusion:Acute muscle wasting during hospitalization was associated with 28-day mortality among older patients with SCAP, which provides a basis for improving patient prognosis from a muscle perspective.

Objective:To develop and validate a prediction model by combining clinical data and biomarkers to evaluate the probability of frailty among older emergency patients.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted. From January 2021 to December 2021, patients aged 60 years and older admitted to the emergency department of China Rehabilitation Research Center were enrolled. Data of patient's clinical information were collected. The patients were divided into frail group and non-frail group according to the Fried's frailty phenotype and clinical data were compared between the two groups. LASSO regression was used to deal with dimension reduction and multivariate logistic regression was employed to construct a prediction model based on variables selected by the LASSO regression. Nomogram was used to visualize the prediction model. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, calibration curve, decision curve analysis and bootstrap were used to evaluate the discrimination, calibration, clinical applicability, and internal validity of the model respectively.Results:A total of 348 patients were enrolled, and the incidence of frailty was 53.74% (187/348). Education, coronary heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, albumin, fibrinogen, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide, decreased creatinine, and underweight were independent predictors for frailty in older emergency patients ( P < 0.05). A nomogram model was built based on the above predictors and the model showed good discrimination, calibration and clinical applicability. Conclusions:The study utilized objective clinical data and biomarkers to establish a predictive model for the occurrence of frailty in elderly emergency department patients. This model aids in risk stratification and targeted intervention for elderly emergency patients, thereby improving patient outcomes.

Objective:To understand the species of mosquitoes and the status of important mosquito-borne viruses in the Ningxia surveyed regions, to identify the dominant mosquito species and virus types, and to analyze their genetic characteristics, providing a scientific basis for predicting and controlling mosquito-borne infectious diseases.Methods:Mosquitoes were collected using light traps in Yinchuan and Wuzhong cities of the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, and the collected mosquitoes were classified and identified. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect the Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), West Nile virus (WNV), Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), Sindbis virus (SINV) carried by mosquitoes. The positive sample was subjected to sequencing the whole genome, and the phylogenetic tree of virus strains was constructed using bioinformatics methods.Results:From June to August 2023, a total of 8 561 mosquitoes of 3 genera and 6 species were collected in Yinchuan and Wuzhong cities, Ningxia, among which Culex pipiens pallens was the dominant species with 3 050 individuals, accounting for 35.63%; Anopheles sinensis with 2 379 individuals, accounting for 27.79%; Culex tritaeniorhynchus with 1 489 individuals, accounting for 17.39%; Caspian Aedes with 1 468 individuals, accounting for 27.79%; Aedes vexans with 152 individuals, accounting for 1.78%; and Culex modestus with 23 individuals, accounting for 0.27%. JEV GIb type was detected in the specimens of Culex tritaeniorhynchus collected in Qingtongxia city. Conclusions:The dominant mosquito species in the surveyed areas of Ningxia are primarily Culex pipiens pallens, and JEV GIb virus was detected in Culex tritaeniorhynchus in Qingtongxia city. This study provides basic data for understanding the current status of mosquitoes and mosquito-borne viruses in the Ningxia region and offers scientific guidance for further public health prevention and control measures.

BACKGROUND:The pathogenesis of osteoporosis is closely related to the immune system.A comprehensive and in-depth study of the relationship between immunity and osteoporosis is crucial for understanding and treating the disease.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the role of immune cells in osteoporosis using single-cell sequencing technology.METHODS:Femoral head tissue samples from osteoporosis and non-osteoporosis patients were downloaded from GEO database and analyzed using single-cell sequencing.Data analysis,including cell clustering,functional enrichment,pseudotime trajectory,and cell interaction analyses,was performed using R4.3.0 and software packages such as Seurat v.4.3,monocle(2.28.0),and CellChat.The femoral head tissues of patients with femoral neck fracture who underwent artificial hip replacement surgery were obtained,including two cases of osteoporosis patients and two cases of non-osteoporosis patients.Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the protein expression of CCL13 and CCL18.qPCR was used to detect the immunoglobulin heavy constant γ-4,immunoglobulin λ constant 3,human class Ⅱ major histocompatibility complex DRβ1,and CD83 mRNA expression.Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of receptor-type tyrosine protein phosphatase C,CD22,and CD99.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Transcriptomic analysis identified 10 cell clusters,including osteoclasts,myeloid cells,T cells,osteoblasts,macrophages,monocytes,erythrocytes,B cells,bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells,and mast cells.There was an increase in the ratio of osteoclasts to T cells and a decrease in the ratio of osteoblasts to B cells in the femoral head tissue of the osteoporosis group.Among the B-cell subpopulations,the proportion of B-cells of taxa 1,3(BC1,BC3)in the femoral head tissue of the osteoporosis group was higher than that of the non-osteoporosis group,and the proportion of B-cells of taxa 2(BC2)was less than that of the non-osteoporosis group.BC1 was enriched significantly for labels such as regulation of adaptive immune response,somatic recombination of immune receptors,and modulation of lymphocyte-mediated immunity,while BC3 was enriched significantly for labels such as regulation of immunoglobulin production,response to type Ⅱ interferon,apoptotic processes involving cysteine endopeptidases,and cytotoxicity.The communication intensity between B-cell subtype BC1 and osteoblasts in the femoral head tissue of the osteoporosis group was higher than that of the non-osteoporosis group,while the communication intensity between BC3 and BC1 was also increased.The communication between BC3 and BC1 was significantly enriched in the CD22-receptor-type tyrosine protein phosphatase C pathway;the communication between BC1 and osteoblasts was mainly enriched in the CD99-CD99 pathway;and the communication between BC3 and osteoblasts was also highly enriched in the CD99-CD99 pathway.Protein expression of CCL13,CCL18,receptor-type tyrosine protein phosphatase C,CD22,CD99,immunoglobulin heavy constant γ-4,immunoglobulin λ constant 3,human class Ⅱ major histocompatibility complex DRβ1,and CD83 mRNA were higher in femoral tissues of the osteoporosis group than those of the non-osteoporosis group(P＜0.05).To conclude,specific B cell subpopulations can influence the differentiation and apoptosis of osteoblasts in the femoral tissue of osteoporosis patients.

BACKGROUND:The pathogenesis of osteoporosis is closely related to the immune system.A comprehensive and in-depth study of the relationship between immunity and osteoporosis is crucial for understanding and treating the disease.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the role of immune cells in osteoporosis using single-cell sequencing technology.METHODS:Femoral head tissue samples from osteoporosis and non-osteoporosis patients were downloaded from GEO database and analyzed using single-cell sequencing.Data analysis,including cell clustering,functional enrichment,pseudotime trajectory,and cell interaction analyses,was performed using R4.3.0 and software packages such as Seurat v.4.3,monocle(2.28.0),and CellChat.The femoral head tissues of patients with femoral neck fracture who underwent artificial hip replacement surgery were obtained,including two cases of osteoporosis patients and two cases of non-osteoporosis patients.Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the protein expression of CCL13 and CCL18.qPCR was used to detect the immunoglobulin heavy constant γ-4,immunoglobulin λ constant 3,human class Ⅱ major histocompatibility complex DRβ1,and CD83 mRNA expression.Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of receptor-type tyrosine protein phosphatase C,CD22,and CD99.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Transcriptomic analysis identified 10 cell clusters,including osteoclasts,myeloid cells,T cells,osteoblasts,macrophages,monocytes,erythrocytes,B cells,bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells,and mast cells.There was an increase in the ratio of osteoclasts to T cells and a decrease in the ratio of osteoblasts to B cells in the femoral head tissue of the osteoporosis group.Among the B-cell subpopulations,the proportion of B-cells of taxa 1,3(BC1,BC3)in the femoral head tissue of the osteoporosis group was higher than that of the non-osteoporosis group,and the proportion of B-cells of taxa 2(BC2)was less than that of the non-osteoporosis group.BC1 was enriched significantly for labels such as regulation of adaptive immune response,somatic recombination of immune receptors,and modulation of lymphocyte-mediated immunity,while BC3 was enriched significantly for labels such as regulation of immunoglobulin production,response to type Ⅱ interferon,apoptotic processes involving cysteine endopeptidases,and cytotoxicity.The communication intensity between B-cell subtype BC1 and osteoblasts in the femoral head tissue of the osteoporosis group was higher than that of the non-osteoporosis group,while the communication intensity between BC3 and BC1 was also increased.The communication between BC3 and BC1 was significantly enriched in the CD22-receptor-type tyrosine protein phosphatase C pathway;the communication between BC1 and osteoblasts was mainly enriched in the CD99-CD99 pathway;and the communication between BC3 and osteoblasts was also highly enriched in the CD99-CD99 pathway.Protein expression of CCL13,CCL18,receptor-type tyrosine protein phosphatase C,CD22,CD99,immunoglobulin heavy constant γ-4,immunoglobulin λ constant 3,human class Ⅱ major histocompatibility complex DRβ1,and CD83 mRNA were higher in femoral tissues of the osteoporosis group than those of the non-osteoporosis group(P＜0.05).To conclude,specific B cell subpopulations can influence the differentiation and apoptosis of osteoblasts in the femoral tissue of osteoporosis patients.

Objective:To understand the species of mosquitoes and the status of important mosquito-borne viruses in the Ningxia surveyed regions, to identify the dominant mosquito species and virus types, and to analyze their genetic characteristics, providing a scientific basis for predicting and controlling mosquito-borne infectious diseases.Methods:Mosquitoes were collected using light traps in Yinchuan and Wuzhong cities of the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, and the collected mosquitoes were classified and identified. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect the Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), West Nile virus (WNV), Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), Sindbis virus (SINV) carried by mosquitoes. The positive sample was subjected to sequencing the whole genome, and the phylogenetic tree of virus strains was constructed using bioinformatics methods.Results:From June to August 2023, a total of 8 561 mosquitoes of 3 genera and 6 species were collected in Yinchuan and Wuzhong cities, Ningxia, among which Culex pipiens pallens was the dominant species with 3 050 individuals, accounting for 35.63%; Anopheles sinensis with 2 379 individuals, accounting for 27.79%; Culex tritaeniorhynchus with 1 489 individuals, accounting for 17.39%; Caspian Aedes with 1 468 individuals, accounting for 27.79%; Aedes vexans with 152 individuals, accounting for 1.78%; and Culex modestus with 23 individuals, accounting for 0.27%. JEV GIb type was detected in the specimens of Culex tritaeniorhynchus collected in Qingtongxia city. Conclusions:The dominant mosquito species in the surveyed areas of Ningxia are primarily Culex pipiens pallens, and JEV GIb virus was detected in Culex tritaeniorhynchus in Qingtongxia city. This study provides basic data for understanding the current status of mosquitoes and mosquito-borne viruses in the Ningxia region and offers scientific guidance for further public health prevention and control measures.

Objective:To examine the prevalence of frailty among elderly patients in the emergency department and to investigate the potential relationship between vitamin D nutritional status and frailty.Methods:This study collected clinical data from elderly patients aged over 65 years in the emergency intensive care unit and emergency observation ward of Beijing Bo'Ai Hospital from January to September 2021.The data included blood routine, biochemical indicators, circulating interleukin-6, cortisol, thyrotropin, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D[25(OH)D], which were detected within 24 hours after enrollment.Additionally, the Frailty Screening Questionnaire(FSQ), FRAIL scale, and Clinical Frailty Scale(CFS)were used to score the patients.Based on the scores, the patients were divided into frail or non-frail groups, and the prevalence of frailty was reported accordingly using the criteria of the aforementioned scales.The consistency of the three scales was evaluated using the Spearman rank test and Kappa coefficient.We compared the differences in clinical data and laboratory indicators of patients between the frail and non-frail groups.Additionally, we used a multivariable Logistic regression model to analyze the association between vitamin D nutritional status and frailty.We also analyzed the prevalence of frailty in different vitamin D nutritional statuses and evaluated the predictive ability of serum 25(OH)D for frailty using the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve.Results:A total of 317 patients were included in the study.The prevalence of frailty in elderly patients in the emergency department was found to be 47.0%, 55.2%, and 69.4% according to the FSQ, FRAIL, and CFS scales, respectively.The study evaluated the consistency of these three scales, revealing a Spearman rank correlation coefficient of 0.761(95% CI: 0.715-0.806, P<0.001)and a Kappa coefficient of 0.536(95% CI: 0.451-0.621, P<0.001)between FSQ and FRAIL, which were the highest correlations observed.Logistic regression analysis, after adjusting for age, gender, BMI, and other factors, indicated that vitamin D deficiency( OR=5.994, 95% CI: 1.232-29.169, P=0.027)was independently associated with an increased prevalence of frailty as defined by FSQ criteria.The prevalence of frailty increased with the severity of vitamin D malnutrition.In the vitamin D deficiency group, the prevalence was higher compared to the vitamin D insufficiency and sufficiency groups( P<0.05 for all).The area under the ROC curves(AUCs)of serum 25(OH)D levels to predict frailty, as defined by FSQ, FRAIL, and CFS, were 0.806(95% CI: 0.744-0.868), 0.748(95% CI: 0.679-0.817), and 0.768(95% CI: 0.701-0.826)( P<0.001 for all).The optimal cut-off values were 12.0, 9.76, and 11.65 μg/L, respectively, yielding a Youden index of 0.553, 0.419, and 0.462. Conclusions:FSQ, FRAIL, and CFS demonstrated a strong level of consistency in assessing frailty.Additionally, serum 25(OH)D can serve as an independent predictor of frailty, aiding in the identification of frail individuals and enhancing the risk stratification of elderly patients in the emergency department.

Objective:To develop and validate a predictive nomogram for 28-day mortality among very older patients with sepsis, to identify high-risk patients early and improve prognosis.Methods:This study was conducted from January 1, 2022, to November 30, 2022. Very older patients aged≥80 years with sepsis admitted to the emergency department of Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University were consecutively recruited. Their clinical data within 24 h of admission and 28-day mortality was recorded. The participants were divided into training (70%) and validation cohort (30%) (random number). In the training cohort, the risk factors of 28-day mortality were selected via least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression analysis and multivariable Cox proportional hazard model, and a nomogram was developed. The prediction model was verified in validation cohort.Results:In total, 507 very older patients with sepsis were included, among which the mortality rate was 31.2%. In training cohort, the independent risk factors for 28-day mortality were identified: increased age [hazard ratio ( HR)=1.059, 95% confidence interval (95% CI)=1.017-1.103, P=0.005], cognitive impairment ( HR=2.100, 95% CI=1.322-3.336, P=0.002), frailty ( HR=2.561, 95% CI=1.183-5.545, P=0.017), decreased mean arterial pressure ( HR=0.987, 95% CI=0.976-0.998, P=0.017), decreased prealbumin ( HR=0.997, 95% CI=0.994-1.000, P=0.040), increased blood urea nitrogen ( HR=1.028, 95% CI=1.010-1.045, P=0.001), increased procalcitonin ( HR=1.008, 95% CI=1.001-1.016, P=0.019) via LASSO regression analysis and multivariable Cox regression analysis. The nomogram was developed using these seven predictors. In the training and validation cohorts, the calibration curves, time-dependent AUC curves, and decision curve analysis showed that the nomogram had good calibration degree, discrimination and clinical net benefits. Conclusions:Increased age, cognitive impairment, frailty, decreased mean arterial pressure, decreased prealbumin, increased blood urea nitrogen, and increased procalcitonin are independent risk factors for 28-day mortality in very older patients with sepsis. The nomogram, which included the seven predictors, have good predictive performance, and might be helpful for prognosis assessment.

Objective:To investigate the association between serum interleukin (IL) -6 and silent information regulator (SIRT) -1 and frailty in elderly patients in the emergency department.Methods:This was a cross-sectional study. Patients aged 60 years and above treated in the emergency department of Beijing Bo'Ai Hospital from January to December 2022 were collected. Blood routine, biochemical indicators, and serum IL-6 were detected within 24 h after enrollment. At the same time, fasting venous blood 2 mL was collected and the serum was stored at minus 80℃ after centrifugation. The level of SIRT-1 was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Nutritional risk screening 2002 was performed within 72 h, Barthel index was used to assess the ability of daily living and grip strength was measured. The patients were divided into frailty and non-frailty groups according to Fried frailty phenotype (FP). The differences of clinical data and laboratory indicators were compared between the two groups. Multivariable logistic regression model was used to analyze the association between serum IL-6, SIRT-1 and frailty. The predictive ability of serum IL-6 and SIRT-1 for frailty was evaluated by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.Results:A total of 316 elderly patients in the emergency department were included in this study and divided into frailty group ( n=156) and non-frailty group ( n=160) according to Fried FP criteria. Univariate analysis showed that serum IL-6 [33.3 (13.0, 69.2) ng/L vs. 20.0 (9.2, 41.3) ng/L, P=0.001] and SIRT-1 [(9.98±1.23) μg/L vs. (8.98±1.65) μg/L, P<0.001] of patients in the frailty group were higher than those in the non-frailty group. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that serum IL-6 ( OR=1.006, 95% CI: 1.001-1.011, P=0.036) and SIRT-1 ( OR=1.838, 95% CI: 1.475-2.290, P<0.001) were independently associated with frailty after adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, Barthel index and grip strength. The area under the curve (AUC) of serum IL-6 for predicting frailty was 0.671 (95% CI: 0.604-0.738, P<0.001), the predictive cut-off point was 33.8 ng/L. The AUC of SIRT-1 for predicting frailty was 0.736 (95% CI: 0.674-0.799, P<0.001), the predictive cut-off point was 9.13 μg/L. The AUC of the model of IL-6 combined with SIRT-1 was 0.765 (95% CI: 0.707-0.823, P<0.001), the sensitivity and specificity were 0.776 and 0.726, respectively, and its predictive efficacy was superior to that of IL-6 alone ( Z=2.119, P=0.034). Conclusion:Serum IL-6 and SIRT-1 are independent predictors of frailty in elderly patients in the emergency department.