AIM: To compare the clinical efficacy of Conbercept 3+pro re nata(PRN)and 5+PRN regimens in the treatment of macular edema secondary to ischemic branch retinal vein occlusion(BRVO).METHODS: A retrospective cohort study design was adopted. Patients with macular edema secondary to ischemic BRVO admitted to our hospital from June 2021 to March 2024 were selected and divided into the 3+PRN group and the 5+PRN group. Both groups received intravitreal injections of Conbercept(0.5 mg per dose). The 3+PRN group received three consecutive monthly loading injections followed by PRN treatment, while the 5+PRN group received five consecutive monthly loading injections followed by PRN treatment. The best-corrected visual acuity(BCVA), central foveal retinal thickness(CRT), mean macular sensitivity(MS), number of injections, and adverse reactions were observed before treatment and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 mo after treatment in both groups.RESULTS:Totally 97 patients(97 eyes)were included. There were 49 cases(49 eyes)in 3+PRN group(26 males and 23 females, aged 58.61±8.67 y)and 48 cases(48 eyes)in 5+PRN group(23 males and 25 females, aged 59.18±8.54 y)(all P>0.05). There was no significant difference in BCVA and MS between the two groups before and after treatment(all P>0.05). CRT in 5+PRN group was smaller than that in 3+PRN group at 6 and 12 mo after treatment(all P<0.05). BCVA, CRT, and MS were improved after treatment compared with before treatment in both groups(all P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the total number of injections during the whole follow-up between the 5+PRN group(6.24±0.94 injections)and the 3+PRN group(6.41±0.88 injections)(P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups during follow-up(10% vs 13%, P=0.721).CONCLUSION: Both the Conbercept 3+PRN and 5+PRN regimens are safe and effective for treating macular edema secondary to ischemic BRVO. The 5+PRN regimen is characterized by “more injections in the early loading phase and fewer injections in the later PRN phase”, while the 3+PRN regimen features “fewer injections in the early loading phase and more injections in the later PRN phase”. The two regimens show comparable efficacy in long-term visual function improvement, while the 5+PRN regimen has greater advantages in macular edema resolution.

Objective:To study the current status of longitudinal extrauterine growth restriction (EUGR) in extremely preterm infants (EPIs) and to develop a prediction model based on clinical data from multiple NICUs.Methods:From January 2017 to December 2018, EPIs admitted to 32 NICUs in North China were retrospectively studied. Their general conditions, nutritional support, complications during hospitalization and weight changes were reviewed. Weight loss between birth and discharge > 1SD was defined as longitudinal EUGR. The EPIs were assigned into longitudinal EUGR group and non-EUGR group and their nutritional support and weight changes were compared. The EPIs were randomly assigned into the training dataset and the validation dataset with a ratio of 7∶3. Univariate Cox regression analysis and multiple regression analysis were used in the training dataset to select the independent predictive factors. The best-fitting Nomogram model predicting longitudinal EUGR was established based on Akaike Information Criterion. The model was evaluated for discrimination efficacy, calibration and clinical decision curve analysis.Results:A total of 436 EPIs were included in this study, with a mean gestational age of (26.9±0.9) weeks and a birth weight of (989±171) g. The incidence of longitudinal EUGR was 82.3%(359/436). Seven variables (birth weight Z-score, weight loss, weight growth velocity, the proportion of breast milk ≥75% within 3 d before discharge, invasive mechanical ventilation ≥7 d, maternal antenatal corticosteroids use and bronchopulmonary dysplasia) were selected to establish the prediction model. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the training dataset and the validation dataset were 0.870 (95% CI 0.820-0.920) and 0.879 (95% CI 0.815-0.942), suggesting good discrimination efficacy. The calibration curve indicated a good fit of the model ( P>0.05). The decision curve analysis showed positive net benefits at all thresholds. Conclusions:Currently, EPIs have a high incidence of longitudinal EUGR. The prediction model is helpful for early identification and intervention for EPIs with higher risks of longitudinal EUGR. It is necessary to expand the sample size and conduct prospective studies to optimize and validate the prediction model in the future.

Catheter associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) refer to urinary system infections that occur after the insertion of a urinary catheter or within 48 hours after its removal. CAUTI exacerbate patient conditions, prolong hospital stays, increase medical costs and economic burdens on patients, and can be life-threatening in severe cases. The Asia Pacific Society of Infection Control (APSIC) convened a working group of infection prevention and control experts from the Asia-Pacific region to publish the APSIC guideline for prevention of catheter associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) (referred to as the "APSIC Guideline"). This guideline encompasses the prevention and management of CAUTI in patients with indwelling catheters, covering the entire process from catheter insertion, maintenance, to removal, and are characterized by their practicability and directive nature. This article interprets the APSIC Guideline from aspects such as risk factors of CAUTI, diagnosis, development of prevention strategies, monitoring, and implementation of prevention plans, aiming to provide scientific guidance for clinical healthcare professionals in preventing CAUTI.

Objective:To construct a serine protease inhibitor Kazal type-5 (Spink5) conditional knockout mouse model, and to identify its phenotype.Methods:B cell-specific Spink5 conditional knockout mice of genotype Mb1 cre/+Spink5 floxp/floxp were constructed by using clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) /CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) technology, and served as the knockout group. Mice of genotype Mb1 +/+Spink5 floxp/floxp served as the control group. The mice of genotype Mb1 cre/+Spink5 floxp/floxp or Mb1 +/+Spink5 floxp/floxp were sacrificed when they were 4 to 6 weeks old, splenic mononuclear cells were isolated, and B lymphocytes and non-B lymphocytes were sorted by flow cytometry and fluorescence-activated cell sorting. Genotype identification was performed by PCR, and protein expression of lymphoepithelial Kazal-type-related inhibitor (LEKTI) was determined by Western blot analysis. Skin tissues were resected from the mice, and subjected to hematoxylin-eosin staining for measuring the epidermal thickness. Immunofluorescence staining was performed to determine fluorescence intensity of LEKTI protein in the mouse skin tissues. Paired t test or two-independent-sample t test was used for comparisons between groups. Results:Genotype identification results demonstrated that the stable B lymphocyte-specific Spink5 conditional knockout mouse model was successfully constructed. Western blot analysis revealed that the relative protein expression of LEKTI in the B lymphocytes in the knockout group was 0.01 ± 0.02, which was significantly lower than that in the non-B lymphocytes in the knockout group (0.66 ± 0.11, t = 9.99, P < 0.001) , and that in the B lymphocytes in the control group (1.08 ± 0.13, t = 13.78, P < 0.001) . Among 39 mice in the knockout group, 4 presented with dry skin and scattered scaly hypertrophic maculopapules. The epidermal thickness of the lesional skin tissues in the knockout group was 90.42 ± 21.31 μm, significantly higher than that of the non-lesional skin tissues in the knockout group (29.71 ± 3.63 μm, t = 5.05, P = 0.002) and that of normal skin tissues in the control group (12.42 ± 2.21 μm, t = 6.74, P < 0.001) . Immunofluorescence staining showed no significant difference in the fluorescence intensity of LEKTI protein among the lesional skin tissues (46.21 ± 1.21) , non-lesional skin tissues (46.62 ± 2.13) in the knockout group and normal skin tissues in the control group (47.69 ± 1.71, P > 0.05) . Conclusion:The B lymphocyte-specific Spink5 conditional knockout mouse model was successfully constructed, which provides a basis for further exploring mechanisms underlying skin barrier defects and immune dysfunction in Netherton syndrome.

Background: Bovine group A rotavirus (BoRVA) is a major cause of severe gastroenteritis in newborn dairy calves. Only one study has investigated the G and P genotypes among dairy calves in a few regions of China, which were G6 and P[5]. Therefore, data on the prevalence and molecular characteristics of BoRVA in dairy calves in China remains limited. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence and molecular characteristics of BoRVA in dairy calves in China. Methods: 269 dairy calves diarrheic samples from 23 farms in six provinces in China were collected to detect BoRVA using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Results: 71% of samples were determined to be BoRVA-positive. Two G genotypes (G6, G10) and two P genotypes (P[1], P[5]) were identified, and G6P[1] BoRVA was the predominant strain. Moreover, the VP7 and VP4 gene sequences of these dairy calf BoRVA strains revealed abundant genetic diversity. Interestingly, eight out of 17 complete G6 VP7 sequences were clustered into G6 lineage VI and analysis showed the strains were closely related to Chinese yak BoRVA strains. Conclusions The results of this study show that BoRVA circulates widely among dairy calves in China, and the dominant genotype in circulation is G6P[1], first report on molecular characteristics of complete P[5] VP4 genes in chinese dairy calves. These results will help us to further understand the prevalence and genetic evolution of BoRVA among dairy calves in China and, thus, prevent the disease more effectively.

Astragali radix(AR,the dried root of Astragalus)is a popular herbal remedy in both China and the United States.The commercially available AR is commonly classified into premium graded(PG)and ungraded(UG)ones only according to the appearance.To uncover novel sensitive and specific markers for AR grading,we took the integrated mass spectrometry-based untargeted and targeted metabolomics ap-proaches to characterize chemical features of PG and UG samples in a discovery set(n=16 batches).A series of five differential compounds were screened out by univariate statistical analysis,including arginine,calycosin,ononin,formononetin,and astragaloside Ⅳ,most of which were observed to be accumulated in PG samples except for astragaloside Ⅳ.Then,we performed machine learning on the quantification data of five compounds and constructed a logistic regression prediction model.Finally,the external validation in an independent validation set of AR(n=20 batches)verified that the five com-pounds,as well as the model,had strong capability to distinguish the two grades of AR,with the pre-diction accuracy＞90％.Our findings present a panel of meaningful candidate markers that would significantly catalyze the innovation in AR grading.

Background: Bovine group A rotavirus (BoRVA) is a major cause of severe gastroenteritis in newborn dairy calves. Only one study has investigated the G and P genotypes among dairy calves in a few regions of China, which were G6 and P[5]. Therefore, data on the prevalence and molecular characteristics of BoRVA in dairy calves in China remains limited. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence and molecular characteristics of BoRVA in dairy calves in China. Methods: 269 dairy calves diarrheic samples from 23 farms in six provinces in China were collected to detect BoRVA using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Results: 71% of samples were determined to be BoRVA-positive. Two G genotypes (G6, G10) and two P genotypes (P[1], P[5]) were identified, and G6P[1] BoRVA was the predominant strain. Moreover, the VP7 and VP4 gene sequences of these dairy calf BoRVA strains revealed abundant genetic diversity. Interestingly, eight out of 17 complete G6 VP7 sequences were clustered into G6 lineage VI and analysis showed the strains were closely related to Chinese yak BoRVA strains. Conclusions The results of this study show that BoRVA circulates widely among dairy calves in China, and the dominant genotype in circulation is G6P[1], first report on molecular characteristics of complete P[5] VP4 genes in chinese dairy calves. These results will help us to further understand the prevalence and genetic evolution of BoRVA among dairy calves in China and, thus, prevent the disease more effectively.

Objective:To evaluate and compare the inpatient medical services of secondary public and private general hospitals by using disease risk adjustment model, and to explore the application of disease risk adjustment model in medical service evaluation of different ownership hospitals.Methods:Based on 1 032 865 front pages of medical records in Chengdu in 2017 and 2018, a regression model with mortality, average length of stay, total hospitalization expenses, medical service fees, drug costs and surgical consumables costs as dependent variables and related influencing factors as independent variables was established by using disease management intelligent analytic and evaluation system. The risk adjusted case mix index(ACMI) was calculated. The mortality, average length of stay, hospitalization expenses and other indicators were predicted. The ratio of observed value to expected value(O/E value) of each index in public and private secondary general hospitals was obtained and compared.Results:The ACMI value of secondary public general hospital was 4.63, slightly higher than that of private hospitals(4.55). The technical difficulty and resource consumption of the public hospitals were slightly higher than that of the private hospitals.From the O/E value, the management of disease mortality, medical service fees and inpatient drug costs of secondary public hospitals was generally good, and the O/E values of hospitalization expenses of each secondary private general hospital were quite different, and there was a possibility that the costs were unreasonable. The O/E value of surgical consumables cost in secondary public general hospital was 1.54, and there was room for improvement in cost management.Conclusions:The disease risk adjustment model fully considers the characteristics of different types and severity of diseases in different institutions, which can not be simply compared. Based on individual cases, it realizes the comparability of different ownership hospitals, and provides a new means for the evaluation of medical service ability and quality.

Kawasaki disease is an acute, self-limited vasculitis, which mainly affects infants and children under the age of 5 years.The main complication is coronary artery disease.Untreated Kawasaki disease leads to varying degrees of coronary artery damage in about 15%-25% of patients.The incidence of Kawasaki disease is increasing year by year, which has become one of the main causes of acquired heart disease in children and has a serious impact on the quality of life for children and adults.The cause of Kawasaki disease is not clear.In recent years, it has become a hot topic for pediatric cardiomyovasculopathy.With the development of molecular biology and gene technology, more and more sensitive biomarkers of Kawasaki disease have been found.This article will review the sensitive biomarkers of Kawasaki disease.

Objective: To investigate the causes of ineffective platelet transfusion in patients with hematologic malignancies during myelosuppression and the therapeutic effect of rituximab. Methods: A total of 180 patients with different hematologic malignancies in the First People's Hospital of Changzhou from January 2017 to December 2018 were selected. And the incidence of ineffective platelet transfusion during myelosuppression was observed. The changes of T and B lymphocyte subgroups and platelet counts before and after rituximab therapy in acute leukemia patients with platelet antibody-positive were compared, and the incidence of ineffective platelet transfusion with different platelet suspensions was analyzed. Results: The ineffective platelet transfusion was observed in 45 of 180 patients (25.0%) during myelosuppression, including 30 (27.8%) of 108 patients with acute leukemia, 10 (23.3%) of 43 patients with myelodysplastic syndrome, 2 (13.3%) of 15 patients with malignant lymphoma, and 3 (21.4%) of 14 patients with multiple myeloma. The incidence of ineffective platelet transfusion in patients transfused with irradiated leukocyte depleted apheresis platelets (17.0%, 16/94) was lower than that in those with apheresis platelets (33.7%, 29/86), and the difference was statistically significant (χ² = 6.68, P = 0.01). In 8 acute leukemia patients with platelet antibody-positive and the ineffective platelet transfusion after rituximab therapy, the increase of platelet count was observed in 5 patients. The differences of levels of CD19, CD20, CD4 and platelet count before and after treatment with rituximab were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). Conclusions The incidence of ineffective platelet transfusion is the highest in acute leukemia patients. Transfusion of human leukocyte antigen-matched platelets can improve the effect of platelet transfusion. Rituximab is effective in the ineffective platelets transfusion caused by immune factors. The incidence of ineffective platelet transfusion in irradiated leukocyte depleted apheresis platelets is lower compared with that in apheresis platelets.