Objective:To determine the prevalence of self-reported food allergies among children in the grasslands of North China and to analyze its associated risk factors.Methods:In this study, a cross-sectional epidemiological survey method was used to select children under 14 years old by multi-stage, stratified and random cluster sampling in the grassland ecological area of Zhangbei County, Hebei Province, China from May to July 2018. Face-to-face questionnaires were administered to gather food allergy-related information from the participants. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the risk factors associated with self-reported food allergy.Results:A total of 2 086 children completed the survey. The prevalence of self-reported food allergies was 22.0%(459/2 086). The prevalence of multiple food allergies (≥3 types) was 3.1%(64/2 086) versus 16.3% (341/2 086) for a single food allergy among all children. Mango allergy (6.1%, 127/2 086) was the most common, followed by peach allergy (4.1%, 85/2 086). Children who reported food allergies had a significantly higher prevalence of all 4 atopic disorders (eczema, asthma, allergic rhinitis, and allergic conjunctivitis than those without food allergies(35.73% vs. 20.65%, 5.88% vs. 2.77%, 17.86% vs. 7.38%, 16.78% vs. 10.45%, χ2 =44.663 1, 10.434 3, 45.038 3, 13.728 4, all P<0.001).Significantly associated risk factors of food allergy were found to be pollen allergy ( OR: 2.29; 95% CI: 1.80-2.92) and drug allergy ( OR: 1.53; 95% CI: 1.12-2.09). Conclusions:The prevalence of self-reported food allergies among children in the Zhangbei County area of the North China Grassland was relatively high. Pollen allergy and drug allergy are major risk factors.

The inherent complexity of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and failed clinical trials have spiked the interest in multifunctional ligands that target at least two key disease-associated macromolecules in AD pathology. Here we present a focused series of pleiotropic N-carbamoylazole prodrugs with dual mechanism of action. Pseudo-irreversible inhibition of the first therapeutic target, human butyrylcholinesterase (hBChE), enhances cholinergic transmission, and thereby provides symptomatic treatment, same as the standard therapeutics in use for AD. Simultaneously, this step also functions as a metabolic activation that liberates a nanomolar selective α ₂-adrenergic antagonist atipamezole, which blocks pathological amyloid β (Aβ)-induced and noradrenaline-dependent activation of GSK3β that ultimately leads to hyperphosphorylation of tau, thus achieving a disease-modifying effect. Lead compound 8 demonstrated long-term pseudo-irreversible hBChE inhibition, metabolic activation in human plasma, blood-brain barrier permeability, and p.o. bioavailability in mice. Multi-day in vivo treatment with 8 in an Aβ-induced AD murine model revealed a significant alleviation of cognitive deficit that was comparable to rivastigmine, the current drug of choice for AD therapy. Furthermore, decreased GSK3β activation and lowered tau phosphorylation were observed in APP/PS1 mice. This surpasses the symptomatic-only treatment with cholinesterase inhibitors, as it directly blocks an essential pathological cascade in AD. Therefore, these multifunctional α ₂-adrenergic antagonists-butyrylcholinesterase inhibitors, exemplified by lead compound 8, present an innovative, small molecule-based, disease-modifying approach to treatment of AD.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of modified splenic arteriovenous shunt surgery at the distal pancreatic tail in combined pancreas-kidney transplantation.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 24 recipients who underwent combined pancreas-kidney transplantation with the modified splenic arteriovenous shunt at the pancreatic tail from November 2023 to October 2024 (shunt group) and 231 recipients who received conventional splenic artery and vein ligation since 2016 (ligation group). The incidence of perioperative thrombosis and severe adverse events was compared between the two groups using the chi-square test or Fisher's exact test. Independent sample t-tests were performed to assess postoperative pancreatic and renal function recovery as well as blood perfusion in 15 recipients from the shunt group and 20 from the ligation group who underwent CT perfusion imaging (CTP).Results:The incidence of perioperative splenic arteriovenous thrombosis was lower in the shunt group (0) compared to the ligation group (4.76%, 11/231), though the difference was not statistically significant ( P=0.606). One month postoperatively, the shunt group demonstrated significantly lower serum amylase levels than the ligation group (99.61±19.62 vs. 148.20±70.67 U/L, P=0.018). However, at the time of CTP examination, serum lipase (67.87±32.35 vs. 45.11±17.94 U/L, P=0.014) and creatinine levels (131.79±26.41 vs. 112.1±24.98 μmol/L, P=0.034) were significantly higher in the shunt group. Urea nitrogen levels were also significantly higher in the shunt group both one month postoperatively (11.24±4.64 vs. 8.51±3.01 mmol/L, P=0.043) and at the CTP examination (10.41±1.78 vs. 6.87±1.91 mmol/L, P=0.001). Regarding pancreatic perfusion, blood volume in both the pancreatic head (15.99 ± 3.51 vs. 20.67 ± 5.47 ml/100 g, P = 0.024) and tail (17.19±4.24 vs. 27.40±19.80 ml/100 g, P=0.039) was significantly lower in the shunt group. After one minute of splenic artery perfusion, the shunt group exhibited significantly higher splenic artery blood flow (755.85±101.50 vs. 574.00 ± 142.06 ml·min -1· (100 g) -1, P<0.001) and blood volume (58.90 ±19.93 vs. 23.21±17.02 ml/100 g, P=0.007) compared to the ligation group. These differences persisted after two minutes of perfusion (blood flow: 793.83±68.57 vs. 503.78 ± 130.80 ml·min -1· (100 g) -1, P<0.001; blood volume: 64.22±15.74 vs. 34.32±20.39 ml/100 g, P=0.002). For the transplanted kidney, the shunt group had significantly lower blood flow (113.10±28.55 vs. 232.76±113.37 ml·min -1· (100 g) -1, P<0.001), blood volume (28.95±10.79 vs. 38.36±12.38 ml/100 g, P=0.047), and capillary surface permeability (PS) (26.49±16.57 vs. 43.02±20.37, P = 0.042) in the upper pole. Similar reductions in blood flow, blood volume, and PS were observed in the middle dorsal region ( P=0.018, 0.021, and 0.048, respectively) and lower pole ( P<0.001, P=0.048, and P=0.012, respectively). Conclusion:The modified splenic arteriovenous shunt at the pancreatic tail appears to be a safe and effective approach to reducing the risk of pancreatic graft thrombosis. This technique facilitates effective diversion of pancreatic parenchymal blood flow into the splenic vein, alleviating hyperperfusion of the transplanted pancreas. While renal blood perfusion was reduced postoperatively, it did not adversely affect renal function.

Objective:To assess the viability of reducing radiation dose, contrast media volume, injection flow rate and contrast medium concentration (quadruple low-dose protocol) by utilizing virtual monoenergetic images (VMI) in photon-counting detector CT (PCD-CT) for aortic CT angiography (CTA), while maintaining image quality in comparison to images obtained from energy-integrating detector CT (EID-CT).Methods:From April 2024 to June 2024, a total of 40 participants who underwent aortic CTA on PCD-CT were prospectively enrolled in the experimental group (PCD-CT group), while 40 patients with similar baseline characteristics who had previously undergone aortic CTA using EID-CT were retrospectively selected for the conventional group (EID-CT group). The EID-CT group used a tube voltage of 90 kVp, a contrast media volume of 60 ml of contrast, an injection flow rate of 3 ml/s, and a contrast concentration of 350 mgI/ml; the PCD-CT group used the QuantumPlus mode, with a tube voltage of 140 kVp, a total amount of iodine in the contrast media of 140 mgI/kg, and an injection flow rate=contrast media volume/(delay time+scan time), and a contrast media concentration of 320 mgI/ml. VMIs in PCD-CT group were reconstructed in 5-keV intervals ranging from 45 to 65 keV. The effective radiation dose and contrast injection protocols were recorded and compared between two groups. Objective image quality assessment was performed for each group. CT attenuation, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) were measured at five anatomical locations (ascending aorta, aortic arch, descending aorta, abdominal aorta, and right common iliac artery), and image noise was recorded. Subjective image quality was independently evaluated by two readers using a 5-point Likert scale in a blinded manner. Based on data normality, the one-way ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis test was used for image quality assessment, with Bonferroni-corrected post-hoc analysis for multiple comparisons.Results:There were no significant differences in the baseline characteristics between two groups (all P0.05). The PCD-CT group demonstrated significantly lower effective radiation dose [(3.88±0.65) mSv vs. (5.97±1.15)mSv], contrast media volume [(29.25±4.56) ml vs. 60 ml], and injection rate [(2.65±0.42) ml/s vs. 3 ml/s] than the EID-CT group, with reductions of 35%, 51%, and 12%, respectively (all P0.001). For objective image quality, except for the ascending aortic CT attenuation, the CT attenuation, SNR, and CNR of other vessels in the 55 keV PCD-CT group were comparable to those in the EID-CT group. Additionally, the difference in image noise between these two groups was not statistically significant ( P0.05). Concerning subjective image quality, at 55 keV, the PCD-CT group had similar image noise scores and vessel attenuation scores (both P0.05) and better visualization of renal artery branching ( P=0.001) compared to the EID-CT group. Conclusion:In comparison to EID-CT, the use of a 55 keV image in PCD-CT for aortic CTA has demonstrated reductions in radiation dose, contrast media volume, injection flow rate and contrast medium concentration, while maintaining image quality.

Objective:To evaluate the feasibility of head and neck vascular imaging using photon-counting detector computed tomography (PCD-CT) combined with a “quadruple lows” protocol—characterized by low contrast media volume, low iodine concentration, low injection rate, and low radiation dose—and to compare the image quality with that obtained by energy-integrating detector CT (EID-CT).Methods:A total of 105 patients with suspected cerebrovascular disease were prospectively enrolled at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University between April and June 2024. Patients were randomly assigned to three groups ( n=35). Group A underwent conventional head and neck CTA using EID-CT. Group B underwent PCD-CT with a protocol involving ultra-low contrast media volume, low iodine concentration, and low injection rate. Group C underwent PCD-CT with the full “quadruple low” protocol. Objective image quality parameters—including CT attenuation, image noise (standard deviation, SD), signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR)—were measured at the ascending aorta, common carotid artery, internal carotid artery, vertebral artery, basilar artery, posterior cerebral artery, and middle cerebral artery. Two radiologists independently rated subjective image quality using a 5-point Likert scale. Differences among groups were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and the Kruskal-Wallis test. Results:Compared to Group A [contrast volume: (42.78±6.64)ml], contrast agent volume was significantly reduced in Groups B and C[ (26.26±4.45) ml and (26.54±3.83)ml, respectively], demonstrating reductions of 39% and 38% (both P<0.01). The iodine concentration was 320 mg/ml in Groups B and C, lower than 350 mg/ml in Group A (8.5%). The injection rate was also reduced in Groups B and C [(3.39±0.61) and (3.55±0.51)ml/s, respectively] compared to Group A [(4.28±0.66) ml/s], with reductions of 21% and 17% (both P<0.01). The effective dose (ED) was similar between Groups A and B [(1.40±0.15) vs. (1.40±0.19)mSv, P>0.05], while Group C demonstrated a significantly lower ED [(0.99±0.09) mSv], with a reduction of 30% compared to Group A and 29% compared to Group B (both P<0.01).In terms of objective image quality, significant differences in image noise (SD) were observed among the three groups at the vertebral artery, internal carotid artery, posterior cerebral artery, and middle cerebral artery (all P<0.05). Groups B and C showed significantly lower SD compared to Group A ( P<0.05), with no significant difference between B and C ( P>0.05). SNR was significantly higher in Groups B and C than in Group A at multiple vascular segments (all P<0.05). CNR differed only at the internal carotid artery, where Groups B and C demonstrated superior performance compared to Group A ( P<0.05).Subjective image quality scores showed no significant difference between Groups A and C ( P>0.05), while Group B had significantly higher scores than both A and C ( P<0.05). All images were deemed diagnostically acceptable. Conclusion:Compared with conventional EID-CT, PCD-CT combined with a “quadruple lows” protocol enables substantial reductions in contrast media and radiation dose while further improving image quality in head and neck CTA.

Objective To observe the feasibility of photon-counting detector(PCD)-CT combined with"four-lows"protocol(low contrast agent concentration,low contrast dose,low contrast agent flow rate,low radiation dose)for coronary CT angiography(CCTA).Methods Totally 106 patients with suspected coronary artery disease were prospectively enrolled and randomized into energy-integrating detector(EID)-CCTA(group A,using conventional scanning protocol,n=52)or PCD-CCTA(group B,using"four-lows"scanning protocol,n=54)groups and underwent relative examinations.The radiation dose,subjective and objective evaluation results of imaging quality were compared between groups.Results The contrast agent dose and flow rate,volume CT dose index,dose length product and effective dose in group B were all lower than those in group A(all P＜0.001).The subjective scores in group B were higher than in group A(5[4,5]vs.4[4,5],Z=-2.310,P=0.021).Compared with group A,CT value,signal-to-noise ratio and contrast-to-noise ratio of aortic root and most of the main branches of coronary arteries increased in group B,while standard deviation of CT value decreased(all P＜0.05).Conclusion PCD-CT combined with"four-lows"protocol could be used for CCTA,which could improve imaging quality and reduce contrast agent usage and radiation dose.

Objective:To explore the diagnosis and treatment strategy of emphysematous pyelonephritis (EPN).Methods:The clinical data of 11 cases patients with EPN admitted to 3 hospitals from March 2016 to June 2022 were retrospectively analyzed, among them, 4 cases from Qianhai Shekou Free Trade Zone Hospital, 5 cases from the Second Hospital Affiliated to Kunming Medical University, 2 cases from the Second Affiliated Hospital of Hubei University of Scinece and Technology. Among the 11 patients, 2 were males and 9 were females, aged 50-82 years; the lesions were located on the left side in 6 cases, right side in 4 cases and bilateral in 1 case; all patients had type 2 diabetes and poor glycemic control. The clinical manifestations at admission including back pain in 8 cases, fever in 11 cases, nausea and vomiting in 5 cases, disturbance of consciousness in 3 cases, septic shock in 3 cases, accompanied with ureteral or kidney stones in 5 cases. The pathogenic bacteria were Escherichia coli in 8 cases, Klebsiella pneumoniae in 2 cases and Proteus mirabilis in 1 case. All patients received minimally invasive surgery, anti-infection, subcutaneous injection of insulin, fluid rehydration and nutritional support after admission. 2 cases had a combination of an initial ureteral stenting and second stage percutaneous drainage, 3 patients underwent ureteral stent implantation, 6 patients underwent percutaneous drainage. According to the CT classification of EPN, there were 1 case of type Ⅰ, 3 cases of type Ⅱ, 2 cases of type ⅢA, 4 cases of type ⅢB, and 1 case of type Ⅳ. Results:All 11 cases were cured, 4 cases were admitted to intensive care unit for 2-7 days, 1 case underwent nephrectomy during hospitalization, and 1 case underwent nephrectomy due to renal atrophy during follow-up. After 12 to 18 months of follow-up with urinary CT or B-ultrasound, there were no recurrence cases.Conclusions:EPN is a rare and serious renal parenchymal necrotic infection. Early urinary CT examination is necessary for the diagnosis, and positive minimally invasive surgery combined with comprehensive medical treatment is the preferred treatment strategy. If those above treatment does not work, nephrectomy should be performed.

Objective To compare the clinical efficacy and safety of 1 470 nm laser en bloc resection of bladder tumor(1 470 nm-EBRBT)and transurethral resection of bladder tumor(TUR-BT).Methods Clinical data of 85 non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer(NMIBC)patients from June 2018 to June 2021 were analyzed retrospectively.The patients were divided into 1 470 nm-EBRBT group(n=40)and TUR-BT group(n=45)according to different surgical methods,the postoperative chemotherapy regimen of bladder perfusion was the same in both groups.The surgical safety,clinical efficacy,pathological results and recurrence free survival rate of two groups were recorded.Results There were no statistically significant differences in operation time,incidence of bladder perforation,and incidence of postoperative delayed hemorrhage between the two groups(P＞0.05).Compared with the TUR-BT group,the 1 470 nm-EBRBT group had less blood loss,shorter bladder irrigation time,catheter indwelling time and postoperative hospital time,and no obturator nerve reflex,the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.05).The proportion of detrusor in the first resected pathological specimens in 1 470 nm-EBRBT group was higher than that in TUR-BT group(P＜0.05).There were no statistically significant differences in tumor recurrence rate of one year,tumor cumulative recurrence rate of two years and recurrence free survival time between the two groups(P＞0.05).Conclusion Compared with traditional TUR-BT,1 470 nm-EBRBT is a safe and effective method,which has the advantages of complete pathological specimens,fewer complications,faster recovery and so on.Therefore,it is worthy of clinical application.

Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease primarily triggered by dysregulation of microbial communities and altered host immune response.It is clinically presented by alveolar bone resorption,which is one of the main causes of loosening of teeth and tooth loss.Cathepsin K(CTSK)is a highly expressed collagenase produced by osteo-clasts and can directly degrade matrix collagen proteins and indirectly increase osteoclast activity.The expression level of CTSK fluctuates in response to the progression of periodontal inflammation.The expression of Toll-like receptors is upregu-lated in periodontitis lesions.Pathogen-associated molecular pattern binds to relevant TLRs,initiating downstream im-mune pathways that promote receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand-dependent osteoclastogenesis,along with in-creased expression of CTSK.Intervening in the process of alveolar bone resorption can be achieved through the regulation of CTSK.This paper provides a summary of the pathogenic mechanism of CTSK in periodontitis and highlights the research progress regarding the use of CTSK as a therapeutic target.The aim is to offer insights and references for the treatment of periodontitis.

Objective:To summarize domestic and foreign transitional readiness assessment tools for adolescents with chronic diseases and analyze the current status of their application in the clinic, so as to provide references for healthcare professionals to select appropriate tools.Methods:China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data, VIP and China Biomedical Literature Database, PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Medline, CINAHL, Cochrane Library and scholar.google.com were searched for literature related to the assessment tools of transition readiness in adolescents with chronic illnesses from inception to March 29, 2024. Two researchers independently screened the literature and extracted the data.Results:A total of 491 articles were initially retrieved and 24 were included, involving a total of 8 transitional readiness assessment tools for adolescents with chronic diseases, including the Transition Readiness Assessment questionnaire, the University of North Carolina TRxANSITION Scale, Am I ON TRAC for adult care? Questionnaire, Transition Questionnaire, Self-Management and Transition to Adulthood with Rx=Treatment Questionnaire, Good 2 Go Questionnaire, State Assessment Questionnaire for Transition, and Self-assessment Scale of Transition Readiness for Adolescents. The Transition Readiness Assessment questionnaire and Self-Management and Transition to Adulthood with Rx=Treatment Questionnaire have good reliability and validity, comprehensive evaluation, wide applicability, simple use, and are suitable for clinical use.Conclusions:The quality of existing tools for assessing transitional readiness of adolescents with chronic diseases is mixed. The Transition Readiness Assessment questionnaire and Self-Management and Transition to Adulthood with Rx=Treatment Questionnaire are more appropriate options in the clinic, but they still need to be improved. Future studies need to continue to introduce tools to assess transitional readiness for chronic diseases in adolescents and develop localized assessment tools.