Objective:This study aimed to explore the clinical value of myostatin(MST) and follistatin(FST) as biological biomarkers in evaluating sarcopenia in elderly women.Methods:This was a retrospective cross-sectional study that enrolled 350 females aged 20-89 years who underwent physical examinations in Shanghai Huadong Hospital in 2021. Demographic characteristics, muscle mass, fat mass, bone mineral density, hand grip strength, gait speed, and serum indices of MST and FST were collected.Results:The serum levels of MST did not change significantly with age. However, the serum levels of FST increased with age. In women aged≥60 years, MST was positively correlated with total lean mass and appendicular skeletal muscle index(ASMI; r=0.236, P=0.041; r=0.289, P=0.014), while FST was negatively correlated with ASMI( r=-0.265, P=0.030). In multivariate stepwise regression analysis, after adjusting for age, body mass index, hip bone mineral density, and total fat mass, only FST was independently correlated with ASMI( β=-0.238, P=0.006), while MST was not correlated with ASMI. The receiver operating characteristic curve was plotted using muscle mass reduction as the state variable and serum FST level as the test variable. The area under the curve was 0.753. And when the FST cutoff value was 17.49 ng/mL, the maximum Jordan index was 0.46, with a sensitivity of 77.3% and a specificity of 68.7%. Women aged ≥60 years were divided into three groups based on serum FST levels. Compared to the upper third of the serum FST level group, the low third of the FST level group had a significantly reduced risk of suffering from sarcopenia( OR=0.098, P =0.036). Conclusions:Serum FST lever has a better correlation with muscle mass among elderly women, making it a promising biomarker for evaluating muscle mass.

Objective:To explore the relationship between glycosylated hemoglobin A 1c/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (HbA 1c/HDL-C) and urinary albumin-creatinine ratio (UACR) in Chinese adults. Methods:In this cross-sectional study, the clinical data of 43 820 community residents (age>40 years) from the Risk Evaluation of Cancers in Chinese Diabetic Individuals (REACTION study; March-December 2012) across eight centers (Liaoning, Guangdong, Shanghai, Gansu, Guangxi, Henan, Hubei, and Sichuan) in China were collected and analyzed. Participants were divided into three groups based on UACR levels:<10 mg/g, 10-30 mg/g, and >30 mg/g. The HbA 1c/HDL-C ratio was divided into four groups according to quartile division of the subjects: 1st quartile (Q1<3.79), 2nd quartile (3.79≤Q2<4.59), 3rd quartile (4.59≤Q3≤5.66), and 4th quartile (Q4>5.66). Multivariate ordinal logistic regression model was used to analyze the relationship between HbA 1c/HDL-C and UACR. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to explore the predictive value of HbA 1c/HDL-C to UACR. Results:The 43 820 subjects included 13 452 (30.70%) male and 30 378 (69.30%) female patients, with an average age of (58.00±0.05) years. According to results of one-way analysis of variance analysis, the HbA 1c/HDL-C ratio was significantly associated with the risk of increased UACR ( F=495.73, P<0.001). After adjusting for clinically relevant confounding variables in logistic regression model, compared with participants with the lowest HbA 1c/HDL-C ratio (Q1), women with the highest HbA 1c/HDL-C ratio (Q4) had a 1.483-fold (95% CI 1.376-1.598, P<0.001) and men had a 1.161-fold (95% CI 1.019-1.323, P<0.001) increased risk of UACR. The ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve of HbA 1c/HDL-C for predicting increased UACR was 0.623 (95% CI 0.597-0.606), with a sensitivity of 60.18% and a specificity of 54.91%. The HbA 1c/HDL-C ratio showed the highest predictive value of all glycemic and lipidemic parameters. In individuals with well-controlled blood glucose (HbA 1c<6.5%) or lipid levels (HDL-C≥1.0 mmol/L), the HbA 1c/HDL-C ratio was still independently associated with the risk of increased UACR after adjusting for confounding variables [ OR(95% CI) of quartile 4: 1.563 (1.210-2.019, P=0.001) in participants with HbA 1c<6.5% and 1.822 (1.687-1.968, P<0.001) in participants with HDL-C≥1.0 mmol/L]. Conclusion:As a novel compound indicator for evaluating glucose homeostasis and dyslipidemia, the HbA 1c/HDL-C ratio was independently associated with increased UACR in the general population aged>40 years in China, which was superior to both glycemic and lipid parameters alone.

Objective:To retrieve the relevant guidelines and expert consensus on self-management of patients with high-risk foot diabetes, and analyze the content of high-quality guidelines and expert consensus recommendations, so as to provide a reference for the construction of a guidance program for self-management of patients with high-risk foot diabetes.Methods:Computer-retrieved clinical practice guidelines and expert consensus for self-management of patients with high-risk foot for diabetes from databases, guideline networks, and related professional websites. The search period was from January 1, 2012 to June 5, 2022. The quality of the included literature was evaluated and the evidence was extracted and integrated by 2 researchers. Experts were invited to evaluate the summarized evidence.Results:According to the quality of literature, a total of 12 guidelines (10 at level A and 2 at level B) and 3 expert consensus (expert discussion and decision) were included, and 8 themes were defined as regular follow-up, self-assessment, foot and decompression management, exercise management, nutrition management, indicator management, psychological management, and health education, a total of 28 recommendations. Among them, there were 23 A-level recommendations and 5 B-level recommendations.Conclusions:The quality of the guidelines and expert consensus included in this study is high,the recommended level of the summarized evidence is high. This study provides the reference and basis for the clinical staff to construct and guide the clinical practice of self-management of high-risk diabetic foot patients.

The automation of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)pharmaceuticals has driven the development of process analysis from offline to online.Most of common online process analytical technologies are based on spectroscopy,making the identification and quantification of specific ingredients still a challenge.Herein,we developed a quality control(QC)system for monitoring TCM pharmaceuticals based on paper spray ionization miniature mass spectrometry(mini-MS).It enabled real-time online qualitative and quantitative detection of target ingredients in herbal extracts using mini-MS without chromatographic separation for the first time.Dynamic changes of alkaloids in Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata(Fuzi)during decoction were used as examples,and the scientific principle of Fuzi compatibility was also investigated.Finally,the system was verified to work stably at the hourly level for pilot-scale extraction.This mini-MS based online analytical system is expected to be further developed for QC applications in a wider range of pharmaceutical processes.

Background::Transplant renal artery stenosis (TRAS) is a vascular complication after kidney transplantation associated with poor outcomes. This study aimed to analyze the efficacy and safety of low-dose aspirin for preventing TRAS.Methods::After kidney transplantation, patients were enrolled from January 2018 to December 2020 in Henan Provincial People’s Hospital. A total of 351 enrolled recipients were randomized to an aspirin group with low-dose intake of aspirin in addition to standard treatment ( n = 178), or a control group with only standard treatment ( n = 173). The patients was initially diagnosed as TRAS (id-TRAS) by Doppler ultrasound, and confirmed cases were diagnosed by DSA (c-TRAS). Results::In the aspirin and control groups, 15.7% (28/178) and 22.0% (38/173) of the recipients developed id-TRAS, respectively, with no statistical difference. However, for c-TRAS, the difference of incidence and cumulative incidence was statistically significant. The incidence of c-TRAS was lower in the aspirin group compared with the control group (2.8% [5/178] vs. 11.6% [20/173], P = 0.001). Kaplan–Meier estimates and Cox regression model identified the cumulative incidence and hazard ratio (HR) of TRAS over time in two groups, showing that recipients treated with aspirin had a significantly lower risk of c-TRAS than those who were not treated (log-rank P = 0.001, HR = 0.23, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.09–0.62). The levels of platelet aggregation rate ( P < 0.001), cholesterol ( P = 0.028), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( P = 0.003) in the aspirin group were decreased compared with the control group in the third-month post-transplantation. For the incidence of adverse events, there was no statistical difference. Conclusion::Clinical application of low-dose aspirin after renal transplant could prevent the development of TRAS with no significant increase in adverse effects.Trial Registration::Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT04260828.

Noise pollution has become a common public health problem. The harm of noise exposure to human health cannot be ignored. Exposure to noise not only damages the auditory system but also affects the non-auditory system. At present, accumulating domestic and international epidemiological studies have suggested that noise exposure may be related to glycolipid metabolism disturbance. This article summarized recent epidemiological evidence of the association between noise exposure and glucose and lipid metabolism disorders, such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, metabolic syndrome, and hyperlipidaemia. The potential biological mechanisms connecting noise exposure to glucolipid metabolism were also introduced, e.g. noise as a stressor, sleep disorders, and intestinal flora regulation. This study discussed the impacts of noise exposure on glycolipid metabolism related diseases, providing a basis for further identifying noise related risk factors, conducting future related research, and formulating scientific and effective prevention and control measures.

Objective To provide the reference resource for the safe clinical use of the compound of diphenhydramine hydrochloride and caffeine by observing its effects on the nervous system, cardiovascular system and respiratory system in experimental animals. Methods Single dose of the compound of diphenhydramine hydrochloride and caffeine was given to animals orally. The effects on climbing ability of mice and blood pressure, electrocardiogram, respiration rate and amplitude in beagle dogs were observed and recorded. Results With the dosage of the compound of diphenhydramine hydrochloride and caffeine (diphenhydramine hydrochloride / caffeine ratio is 1/2.4) at 51, 102, 204 mg/kg, there was no significant effect on the climbing ability in mice. With the dosages of 14.2, 28.3, 56.6 mg/kg for male Beagle dogs and 5.66, 14.2, 28.3 mg/kg for female Beagle dogs, no significant effects were observed in systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure, heart rate, ECG（P wave, R wave , T wave, QRS time, PR interval, QT interval）, respiratory rate and amplitude. Conclusion Under the experimental conditions, single oral dose of the compound of diphenhydramine hydrochloride and caffeine has no significant effect on the nervous system, cardiovascular system and respiratory system in experimental animals. Those results suggest that the compound of diphenhydramine hydrochloride and caffeine is a safe agent for clinical use.

Objective:To study the macrolides resistance of Mycoplasma pneumoniae(MP) in Suzhou area, and try to explore the relationship between drug resistance and refractory Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (RMPP). Methods:From a series of hospitalized children who were diagnosed as Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) from October 2013 to September 2014 in Suzhou area, 48 children were treated with Azithromycin (10 mg/kg, once a day, intravenous drip for 5-7 days), and the clinical symptoms and chest imaging were still progressing so they were clinically diagnosed as RMPP, and 34 children who were successfully treated with macrolides antibiotics (MA) were clinically diagnosed as general MPP (GMPP). MP DNA was extracted from the airway secretion of children in the two groups, and the point mutations of 2063 and 2064 of 23S rRNA were sequenced, and according to the MP 23S rRNA sequencing results, the children were divided into macrolides antibiotic resistant MP group (MRMP) and macrolides antibiotic sensitive MP group (MSMP). The clinical characteristics of the two groups were compared. Results:In the MRMP group, the incidence of RMPP was 62.2% (46/74 cases), while in MSMP group, the incidence of RMPP was 25.0% (2/8 cases). The point mutation of MP 23S rRNA had no significant effect on the occurrence of RMPP ( χ2=2.719, P=0.099). Compared with MRMP group, MSMP group presented shorter fever time and less glucocorticoid use.No significant differences between the two groups were found in chest imaging examination, as well as some laboratory results, including the total number and classification of white blood cell (WBC), C-reactive protein (CRP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB). Conclusions:The fever duration of MPP lasted more than 1 week, suggesting the possibility of macrolides resistance of MP, but macrolides resistance did not aggravate the occurrence of RMPP.It is unreliable to judge the MRMP by chest imaging features and laboratory results.

Objective:The epidemiological characteristics and drug susceptibility changes of Pseudomonas aeruginosa(PA) infection in the respiratory tract of children in suzhou were analyzed in order to provide guidance and suggestions for the rational use of antibiotics in this region. Methods:Bacterial culture results of nasopharyngeal secretions from 21 176 children admitted to the Department of Respiratory, Children′s Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University for respiratory tract infections from January 2008 to December 2017 were collected.According to age, season, underlying disease conditions and the presence of intensive care units (ICU) during the hospitalization, these children were divided into different groups.The epidemic characteristics of PA infection were monitored, and changes in PA drug sensitivity were dynamically observed.Results:Among 21 176 nasopharyngeal secretions from children with respiratory tract infection, 191 cultures were detected with PA, and showing a positive detection rate of 0.90% (191/21 176 cases). The annual detection rate was different.The highest detection rate was 2.24% (50/2 234 cases) in 2009 and the lowest was 0.41% (9/2 207 cases) in 2014.The detection rate of PA in children with in >6 months to 1-year-old group was the highest (1.52%, 53/3 497 cases), and the lowest was 0.57%(11/1 934 cases) in the >5-year-old group.The detection rates of PA in spring, summer, autumn, and winter were 1.11% (60/5 420 cases), 1.21% (61/5 046 cases), 0.81% (46/5 670 cases), and 0.48% (24/5 040 cases), respectively.The difference of PA detection rates between summer (the highest rate) and the winter (the lowest rate) was statistically significant ( χ2=18.611, P<0.001). Among the 21 176 children, 18.89% (4 000/21 176 cases) had basic diseases, and the PA detection rate in such kind of patients was 1.28% (51/4 000 cases), which was higher than that in patients without basic diseases (0.82%, 140/17 176 cases). The PA detection rate in the ICU group was 4.41% (15/340 cases), which was significantly higher than that in the general group (0.84%, 176/20 836 cases) ( χ2=7.678, 47.623, all P<0.05). There were no strains susceptible to Ampicillin, Ampicillin/Sulbactam and compound Sulfamethoxazole, and no strains susceptible to Ceftriaxone from 2010 to 2017.The susceptibility rate to Imipenem was low from 2012 to 2015, and the lowest was only 66.7% in 2014.The sensitivity rate to Aztreonam fluctuated significantly from year to year.Strains were all highly sensitive to Piperacillin, Piperacillin Tazobactam, Ciprofloxacin, Levofloxacin, Gentamicin, and Tobramycin. Conclusions:PA infection is prone to occur in young children with basic diseases and relatively severe illness.Summer is a high-incidence season.PA is generally highly resistant to commonly used antibiotics.

Objective: To analyze the therapeutic effect and prognostic factors of induction chemotherapy plus intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) with or without consolidation chemotherapy for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Methods: One hundred and eight patients with ESCC treated between January 2010 to August 2014 were analyzed retrospectively. All patients received IMRT and platinum-based chemotherapy. The overall survival (OS) and local control (LC) rates were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method and the univariate prognostic analyses were tested by the Log-rank test. The Cox proportional hazard model was used for multivariate prognostic analysis. Results: The follow-up rate was 97.2%. The 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates were 76.9%, 50.9% and 32.3% respectively, and the LC rates were 73.6%, 58.5% and 54.9% respectively. The median OS with and without consolidation chemotherapy were 51 and 15 months (χ²=5.076, P=0.024), respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that clinical N staging, recent curative effect and consolidation chemotherapy were important prognostic factors for OS, and recent curative effect was associated with LC. The rates of acute grade 3 radiation-induced esophagitis, gastrointestinal side effects, myelosuppression and radiation-induced pulmonary injury were 7.4%, 6.5%, 12% and 0.9%, respectively, and no grade 4 occurred. The late toxicity was mainly radiation-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Conclusions Induction chemotherapy plus IMRT with or without consolidation chemotherapy is safe and effective in the treatment of ESCC. The addition of consolidation chemotherapy may help prolong the survival of some patients and further research is necessary. Individualized treatment should be selected for patients who cannot tolerate or refuse concurrent chemoradiotherapy.