BACKGROUND: High temperatures are known to be associated with an increased risk of self-harm, but the influence of demographic changes and country-level indicators on the burden of heat-related self-harm remains unclear. This study examined the key factors driving changes in self-harm mortality linked to high temperatures and explored their impact at the country level. METHODS: This is an ecological study that analyzes data from the 2021 Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study, the World Bank, and the Climate Research Unit (CRU) were analyzed. Decomposition analyses were used to identify key factors driving changes in high temperature-related self-harm mortality between 1990 and 2021. A panel data model assessed the impact of national indicators on heat-related self-harm mortality. RESULTS: In 2021, 14,885 deaths globally were attributed to heat-related self-harm, a 41.94% increase from 1990, with low-middle SDI regions accounting for 47.84% of these deaths. While the global death rate from heat-related self-harm declined slightly over this period, South Asia and low-middle SDI regions contributed most to the decline. However, population aging exacerbated mortality rates. Demographic and meteorological factors were also linked to heat-related self-harm. CONCLUSION The global decline in heat-related self-harm mortality is largely driven by reductions in females, low-middle SDI regions, and South Asia. However, population aging and growth in these regions have added to the mortality burden, slowing the overall decline. Factors such as population density are also associated with heat-related self-harm. Targeted measures are needed to mitigate heat-induced self-harm more effectively in future.
Humans ; Self-Injurious Behavior/etiology* ; Hot Temperature/adverse effects* ; Global Health/statistics & numerical data* ; Female ; Male ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Young Adult ; Adolescent

AIM: To investigate the changes of retinal nerve fiber layer(RNFL)thickness, retinal thickness and blood flow density in different stages of diabetic retinopathy(DR)patients based on optical coherence tomography angiography(OCTA).METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 382 patients(382 eyes)diagnosed with DR in our hospital from February 2023 to February 2024. According to the staging criteria, the patients were divided into mild group(n=121), moderate group(n=133), severe group(n=72), and proliferative group(n=56). The general clinical data of the four groups of patients was compared; OCTA was used to scan and collect data from all patients, and the RNFL thickness, retinal thickness, and blood flow density were compared among the four groups of patients.RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in age, gender, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and random blood glucose among patients in the mild, moderate, severe, and proliferative groups(all P>0.05). As the stage of DR worsened, the duration of the disease gradually prolonged(P<0.05). The thickness of the RNFL(superior, inferior, temporal, nasal, and average thickness)and retinal thickness significantly increased with the severity of DR(all P<0.001); however, there was no statistically significant difference in inferior RNFL thickness between the moderate and mild groups(P>0.05). The blood flow density in the superficial and deep retinal layers, as well as in the choroidal capillary layer, significantly decreased with the progression of DR(all P<0.05). Nevertheless, there was no statistically significant difference in superficial retinal blood flow density between the moderate and severe groups(P>0.05).CONCLUSION: OCTA can accurately observe the changes in RNFL thickness, retinal thickness, and blood flow density in patients with DR at different stages, which can serve as sensitive indicators for monitoring DR progression.

Objective To explore the application effect of ultrasound-assisted localization in spinal anesthesia for elderly patients with hip fractures.Methods A total of 114 elderly patients undergoing hip fracture surgery with spinal anesthesia in our hospital from September 2022 to June 2024 were enrolled.The random number table method was applied to allocate participants into two groups:surface anatomical landmark localization group and ultrasound-assisted localization group,with 57 patients in each group.Both groups of patients underwent spinal anesthesia via the paramedian approach for puncture.The first-attempt puncture success rate,success rate of the initial puncture site,number of skin punctures,number of adjusted epidural needle direction,positioning time of the puncture point,puncture time(puncture success time,anesthesia time,and total time),adverse events during the puncture process(nerve hypersensitivity and accidental puncture of the dura mater),spinal anesthesia related complications(back pain,headache,and nerve injury),patient satisfaction and hospital stay were observed and compared between the two groups.The quality of early postoperative recovery was evaluated by using the 15-Item Quality of Recovery(QOR-15)scale at 24 h after surgery.Results The first-attempt puncture success rate in the ultrasound-assisted localization group was 71.9％(41/57),which was significantly higher than that in the surface anatomical landmark localization group[28.1％(16/57),x2=21.930,P=0.000].The success rate of the initial puncture site in the ultrasound-assisted localization group was 87.7％(50/57),which was significantly higher than that in the surface anatomical landmark localization group[54.4％(31/57),x2=15.396,P=0.000].The number of skin punctures and adjusted epidural needle direction in the ultrasound-assisted localization group were 1(1,1)and 0(0,1)times,while in the surface anatomical landmark localization group were 2(1,3)and 3(0,5)times,with statistically significant differences(all P=0.000).The puncture positioning time in the ultrasound-assisted localization group was 2.2(1.7,3.2)min,which was significantly longer than that in the surface anatomical landmark localization group[0.8(0.5,1.2)min,Z=-8.418,P=0.000].The puncture success time,anesthesia time,and total time of the ultrasound-assisted localization group were 1.9(1.7,2.3),4.9(4.3,5.3),and 7.1(6.3,8.7)min,while of the surface anatomical landmark localization group were 5.1(2.3,8.0),7.9(5.7,11.0),and 8.6(6.6,12.0)min,with statistically significant differences(all P＜0.05).There were no statistically significant differences in the incidence of nerve hypersensitivity during operation(3.5％vs.7.0％,x2=0.176,P=0.675),accidental puncture of the dura mater by epidural needles(0％vs.3.5％,P=0.496),postoperative headache(0％vs.3.5％,P=0.496),and back pain(1.8％vs.10.5％,x2=2.435,P=0.119)between the two groups.Both groups of patients showed no symptoms of nerve injury after surgery.There were no statistically significant differences in QOR-15 scores at 24 h postoperatively[119(115,124)points vs.116(112,121)points,Z=-1.858,P=0.063]and length of hospital stay[10.0(9.0,12.5)dvs.10.0(8.0,13.0)d,Z=-0.043,P=0.966]between the two groups.The satisfaction of patients in the ultrasound-assisted localization group was significantly higher than that in the surface anatomical landmark localization group(P=0.004).Conclusion Application of ultrasound-guided localization in spinal anesthesia for elderly patients with hip fractures significantly improves the first-attempt puncture and initial puncture site success rates,reduces skin puncture attempts and adjustments of the epidural needle direction,shortens time of anesthetic procedure,and enhances patient satisfaction,making it highly recommendable for clinical use.

Background and purpose:Gallic acid(GA)induces tumor cells apoptosis and inhibits angiogenesis.Beyond directly attacking tumor cells,another crucial aspect of GA is its ability to modulate and enhance immune system function.For example,it can improve T cell metabolism,alleviate T cell exhaustion,and promote the formation of memory T cell phenotypes.Although several chimeric antigen receptor T(CAR-T)cells products have gained market approval,the technology still faces significant challenges.These limitations include off-target effects,a predisposition to T cell exhaustion and so on.Moreover,similar to exhaustion,cellular senescence is a major hindrance that impairs T cell function.This study aimed to investigate the effects of GA on the anti-tumor function of CAR-T cells both in vitro and in vivo.We further evaluated the impact of GA on CAR-T cells senescence and memory phenotypes,as well as the impact of GA and CAR-T cells on immune cell infiltration within the tumor microenvironment(TME).Methods:Second-generation CAR targeting mouse glypican 3(GPC3)and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2(HER2)were constructed to generate CAR-T cells.CAR-T cells were co-cultured with GA at a concentration of 5 μg/mL,and flow cytometry was used to assess the senescence status and memory phenotype of CAR-T cells and their killing ability against tumor cells at different effector-to-target ratios.Senescence markers included p53,p21,γ-H2AX and senescence-associated β-galactosidase(SA-β-gal),while CCR7 served as the memory phenotype marker.A subcutaneous tumor model was established to explore the effects of GA on the anti-tumor function of CAR-T cells and immune cell infiltration within the TME.Results:We successfully generated human HER2 and murine GPC3 CAR-T cells,achieving a purity of 30%-50%.GA enhanced the in vitro killing ability of CAR-T cells targeting mouse GPC3 and human HER2(P＜0.001)at different E:T ratios,delayed the senescence of mouse GPC3 CAR-T cells(p53,p21,γ-H2AX,P＜0.05;SA-β-gal,P＜0.001;CCR7,P＜0.001).And GA promoted the differentiation of CAR-T cells toward a memory phenotype(P＜0.001).Additionally,GPC3 CAR-T cells inhibited tumor cell growth(P＜0.05),prolonged mouse survival(P＜0.001),and enhanced the infiltration capacity of CAR-cells(P＜0.001)and endogenous immune cells[CD4+T cells,P＜0.05;CD8+T cells,P＜0.01;natural killer(NK)cells,P＜0.01].Conclusion:GA can enhance the cytotoxic activity of CAR-T cells in vitro,and delay the senescence of CAR-T cells.Furthermore,by modulating TME,GA improved immune cell infiltration,thereby augmenting the overall anti-tumor efficacy of CAR-T cells.

Background and purpose:Gallic acid(GA)induces tumor cells apoptosis and inhibits angiogenesis.Beyond directly attacking tumor cells,another crucial aspect of GA is its ability to modulate and enhance immune system function.For example,it can improve T cell metabolism,alleviate T cell exhaustion,and promote the formation of memory T cell phenotypes.Although several chimeric antigen receptor T(CAR-T)cells products have gained market approval,the technology still faces significant challenges.These limitations include off-target effects,a predisposition to T cell exhaustion and so on.Moreover,similar to exhaustion,cellular senescence is a major hindrance that impairs T cell function.This study aimed to investigate the effects of GA on the anti-tumor function of CAR-T cells both in vitro and in vivo.We further evaluated the impact of GA on CAR-T cells senescence and memory phenotypes,as well as the impact of GA and CAR-T cells on immune cell infiltration within the tumor microenvironment(TME).Methods:Second-generation CAR targeting mouse glypican 3(GPC3)and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2(HER2)were constructed to generate CAR-T cells.CAR-T cells were co-cultured with GA at a concentration of 5 μg/mL,and flow cytometry was used to assess the senescence status and memory phenotype of CAR-T cells and their killing ability against tumor cells at different effector-to-target ratios.Senescence markers included p53,p21,γ-H2AX and senescence-associated β-galactosidase(SA-β-gal),while CCR7 served as the memory phenotype marker.A subcutaneous tumor model was established to explore the effects of GA on the anti-tumor function of CAR-T cells and immune cell infiltration within the TME.Results:We successfully generated human HER2 and murine GPC3 CAR-T cells,achieving a purity of 30%-50%.GA enhanced the in vitro killing ability of CAR-T cells targeting mouse GPC3 and human HER2(P＜0.001)at different E:T ratios,delayed the senescence of mouse GPC3 CAR-T cells(p53,p21,γ-H2AX,P＜0.05;SA-β-gal,P＜0.001;CCR7,P＜0.001).And GA promoted the differentiation of CAR-T cells toward a memory phenotype(P＜0.001).Additionally,GPC3 CAR-T cells inhibited tumor cell growth(P＜0.05),prolonged mouse survival(P＜0.001),and enhanced the infiltration capacity of CAR-cells(P＜0.001)and endogenous immune cells[CD4+T cells,P＜0.05;CD8+T cells,P＜0.01;natural killer(NK)cells,P＜0.01].Conclusion:GA can enhance the cytotoxic activity of CAR-T cells in vitro,and delay the senescence of CAR-T cells.Furthermore,by modulating TME,GA improved immune cell infiltration,thereby augmenting the overall anti-tumor efficacy of CAR-T cells.

Objective To explore the application effect of ultrasound-assisted localization in spinal anesthesia for elderly patients with hip fractures.Methods A total of 114 elderly patients undergoing hip fracture surgery with spinal anesthesia in our hospital from September 2022 to June 2024 were enrolled.The random number table method was applied to allocate participants into two groups:surface anatomical landmark localization group and ultrasound-assisted localization group,with 57 patients in each group.Both groups of patients underwent spinal anesthesia via the paramedian approach for puncture.The first-attempt puncture success rate,success rate of the initial puncture site,number of skin punctures,number of adjusted epidural needle direction,positioning time of the puncture point,puncture time(puncture success time,anesthesia time,and total time),adverse events during the puncture process(nerve hypersensitivity and accidental puncture of the dura mater),spinal anesthesia related complications(back pain,headache,and nerve injury),patient satisfaction and hospital stay were observed and compared between the two groups.The quality of early postoperative recovery was evaluated by using the 15-Item Quality of Recovery(QOR-15)scale at 24 h after surgery.Results The first-attempt puncture success rate in the ultrasound-assisted localization group was 71.9％(41/57),which was significantly higher than that in the surface anatomical landmark localization group[28.1％(16/57),x2=21.930,P=0.000].The success rate of the initial puncture site in the ultrasound-assisted localization group was 87.7％(50/57),which was significantly higher than that in the surface anatomical landmark localization group[54.4％(31/57),x2=15.396,P=0.000].The number of skin punctures and adjusted epidural needle direction in the ultrasound-assisted localization group were 1(1,1)and 0(0,1)times,while in the surface anatomical landmark localization group were 2(1,3)and 3(0,5)times,with statistically significant differences(all P=0.000).The puncture positioning time in the ultrasound-assisted localization group was 2.2(1.7,3.2)min,which was significantly longer than that in the surface anatomical landmark localization group[0.8(0.5,1.2)min,Z=-8.418,P=0.000].The puncture success time,anesthesia time,and total time of the ultrasound-assisted localization group were 1.9(1.7,2.3),4.9(4.3,5.3),and 7.1(6.3,8.7)min,while of the surface anatomical landmark localization group were 5.1(2.3,8.0),7.9(5.7,11.0),and 8.6(6.6,12.0)min,with statistically significant differences(all P＜0.05).There were no statistically significant differences in the incidence of nerve hypersensitivity during operation(3.5％vs.7.0％,x2=0.176,P=0.675),accidental puncture of the dura mater by epidural needles(0％vs.3.5％,P=0.496),postoperative headache(0％vs.3.5％,P=0.496),and back pain(1.8％vs.10.5％,x2=2.435,P=0.119)between the two groups.Both groups of patients showed no symptoms of nerve injury after surgery.There were no statistically significant differences in QOR-15 scores at 24 h postoperatively[119(115,124)points vs.116(112,121)points,Z=-1.858,P=0.063]and length of hospital stay[10.0(9.0,12.5)dvs.10.0(8.0,13.0)d,Z=-0.043,P=0.966]between the two groups.The satisfaction of patients in the ultrasound-assisted localization group was significantly higher than that in the surface anatomical landmark localization group(P=0.004).Conclusion Application of ultrasound-guided localization in spinal anesthesia for elderly patients with hip fractures significantly improves the first-attempt puncture and initial puncture site success rates,reduces skin puncture attempts and adjustments of the epidural needle direction,shortens time of anesthetic procedure,and enhances patient satisfaction,making it highly recommendable for clinical use.

Objective To observe MRI manifestations of radiation myelopathy(RM).Methods Nine patients who developed RM due to radiotherapy after tumor resections were retrospectively enrolled,and clinical and imaging data were analyzed.Results Non-contrast enhanced MRI showed spinal cord swelling and thickening in all 9 cases,which could involve C1-T5 level,presented as low signals on T1WI and high signals on T2WI.The length of spinal cord edema was 30-178 mm,with a median of 90 mm.Lateral spinal cord involvements were detected in 8 cases,gray matter involvements were found in 9 cases,while posterior spinal cord involvements were noticed in 7 cases.Enhanced scanning was performed in 4 cases,and RM lesions presented as moderate"nodule"or"strip"like enhancements with length of 19-53 mm,and their distribution consistent with tumor resection areas.Four patients underwent MRI follow-up,the ranges of spinal cord edema gradually decreased or expanded at first and then decreased.Conclusion RM mainly presented as spinal cord thickening and edema on MRI,with low signals on T1WI and high signals on T2WI.Moderately"nodule"or"strip"like enhancements could occur in some lesions,with distribution consistent with surgical resection areas.

Diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia, collectively referred to the " Three Highs, " represent increasingly prevalent metabolic risk factors in China. Many individuals experience all three conditions concurrently, significantly heightening the risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality. Although the National Metabolic Management Center(MMC) has been established for over eight years and has its unique features, the awareness, treatment, and control rates of these diseases in China remain low, and the efficiency of community management is insufficient. According to the previous two editions of management guidelines and the most recent domestic and international diagnostic and treatment guidelines, this paper conducts an in-depth analysis of the operational experience and management strategies of the MMC. Its aim is to improve the efficiency of grassroots MMC mode management for " Three Highs" patients and ensure that patients receive more standardized management.

Objective To explore the therapeutic efficacy of the Fuyang Tongluo therapy combined with conventional western medicine in elderly patients with heart failure due to coronary heart disease.Methods In this single-blind randomized controlled trial,96 elderly patients with coronary heart disease and heart failure were randomly divided into three groups,each consisting of 32 individuals.Control group A was treated with conventional western medicine(atorvastatin combined with metoprolol),control group B with Fuyang Tongluo therapy,and the observation group with Fuyang Tongluo therapy and conventional western medicine.The three groups were compared in terms of therapeutic efficacy and traditional Chinese medicine symptom points as well as blood interleukin(IL)-23 and IL-17 levels,left ventricular end-systolic diameter(LVESD),left ventricular end-diastolic diameter(LVEDD),and left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF)values before and after treatment.Results The total clinical efficacy rate in the observation group was 93.75%,which was significantly higher than those in control groups A(68.75%)and B(65.63%)(P<0.05).After 4 and 8 weeks of treatment,the primary and minor symptom scores,total symptom scores,LVESD,LVEDD,and IL-23 and IL-17 levels in the observation group were significantly lower than those in control groups A and B(P<0.05).Conclusion The combination of the Fuyang Tongluo therapy with conventional western medicine exhibited good therapeutic efficacy in elderly patients with coronary heart disease and heart failure.These effects were achieved by inhibiting excessive expression of the inflammatory axis factors IL-23 and IL-17 and promoting the recovery of cardiac function.