ObjectiveTo investigate the association of physical activity and balance ability with disability, and to further examine the mediating role of balance ability in the relationship between physical activity and disability. MethodsBased on data from 2021 to 2023 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) cycle, a multivariable Logistic regression model was constructed to evaluate the independent association of physical activity and balance ability with disability, with covariates adjusted in four steps. An interaction model was further developed to assess the multiplicative interaction between physical activity and balance ability. Mediation analysis was performed using the Baron and Kenny three-step approach to examine the mediating role of balance ability, and the proportion of the mediation effect was calculated. The significance of the mediation effect was assessed using the Delta method, and robustness was verified through the Bootstrap method with a fixed random seed. Multiple sensitivity analyses were conducted to ensure the stability of the results. ResultsA total of 3 902 participants were included, with a prevalence of disability of 17.7%. Multivariable regression analysis showed that, after adjusting for all covariates, both light-intensity physical activity (LIPA) (OR = 0.489, 95%CI 0.380 to 0.629, P < 0.001) and high-intensity physical activity (HIPA) (OR = 0.493, 95%CI 0.371 to 0.656, P < 0.001) were significantly associated with a reduced risk of disability, whereas impaired balance ability was significantly associated with an increased risk (OR = 1.579, 95%CI 1.266 to 1.970, P < 0.001). The interaction effect analysis showed that the interaction between physical activity and balance ability were not significant (P > 0.05), however, the main effect of LIPA remained robust (β = -0.597, SE = 0.221, OR = 0.550, P = 0.007), while impaired balance ability was significantly associated with an increased risk of disability (β = 0.577, SE = 0.231, OR = 1.780, P = 0.012). The mediation analysis further indicated that balance ability played a robust mediating role in the association between LIPA and disability, with a mediation proportion of 21.1%. The indirect effect (a × b) was statistically significant (P < 0.001), and the 95% confidence intervals derived from the bootstrap method did not include zero. ConclusionPhysical activity and balance ability are significantly associated with disability, and balance ability may mediate the relationship between physical activity and disability, highlighting its potential value in disability risk assessment and intervention strategies.

Objective:To assess the clinical value of digital PCR (dPCR) for the prenatal diagnosis of common fetal aneuploidies.Methods:A dPCR-based assay was developed for detecting trisomies 21, 18, and 13. A retrospective analysis was carried out on 173 amniotic fluid samples collected by the Prenatal Diagnosis Center of Taizhou Hospital between January 2017 and December 2023. By using chromosomal karyotyping as the gold standard, the diagnostic performance of the multiplex dPCR system was evaluated in a double-blind manner. This study has been approved by the Ethics Committee of Taizhou Hospital (Ethics No. K20250339).Results:Chromosomal karyotyping has identified 59 cases of trisomy 21, 5 cases of trisomy 18, 2 cases of trisomy 13, 6 cases with chromosomal structural abnormalities or mosaicisms, and 101 cases with a normal karyotype. The dPCR results ( Z-score cutoff = 4.0, CI = 99.997%) showed full concordance with karyotyping (sensitivity = 100%, specificity = 100%, Kappa = 1). Among the 6 structurally abnormal or mosaicism samples, dPCR has accurately detected 4 cases, but mis-classified 2 cases of trisomy 21 with very low-level mosaicisms (3.3%, 6.9%, respectively) as normal. Conclusion:The established multiplex dPCR system demonstrated high diagnostic accuracy for common chromosomal aneuploidies, with results available within 24 hours. It can serve as an efficient supplementary tool to conventional chromosomal karyotyping, providing reliable support for time-sensitive clinical decision-making in prenatal diagnosis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the clinical value of digital PCR (dPCR) for the prenatal diagnosis of common fetal aneuploidies. METHODS: A dPCR-based assay was developed for detecting trisomies 21, 18, and 13. A retrospective analysis was carried out on 173 amniotic fluid samples collected by the Prenatal Diagnosis Center of Taizhou Hospital between January 2017 and December 2023. By using chromosomal karyotyping as the gold standard, the diagnostic performance of the multiplex dPCR system was evaluated in a double-blind manner. This study has been approved by the Ethics Committee of Taizhou Hospital (Ethics No. K20250339). RESULTS: Chromosomal karyotyping has identified 59 cases of trisomy 21, 5 cases of trisomy 18, 2 cases of trisomy 13, 6 cases with chromosomal structural abnormalities or mosaicisms, and 101 cases with a normal karyotype. The dPCR results (Z-score cutoff = 4.0, CI = 99.997%) showed full concordance with karyotyping (sensitivity = 100%, specificity = 100%, Kappa = 1). Among the 6 structurally abnormal or mosaicism samples, dPCR has accurately detected 4 cases, but mis-classified 2 cases of trisomy 21 with very low-level mosaicisms (3.3%, 6.9%, respectively) as normal. CONCLUSION The established multiplex dPCR system demonstrated high diagnostic accuracy for common chromosomal aneuploidies, with results available within 24 hours. It can serve as an efficient supplementary tool to conventional chromosomal karyotyping, providing reliable support for time-sensitive clinical decision-making in prenatal diagnosis.
Humans ; Female ; Pregnancy ; Aneuploidy ; Prenatal Diagnosis/methods* ; Karyotyping ; Retrospective Studies ; Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods* ; Chromosome Disorders/genetics* ; Adult ; Trisomy 13 Syndrome/diagnosis* ; Trisomy 18 Syndrome/genetics* ; Down Syndrome/genetics*

Objective:To assess the clinical value of digital PCR (dPCR) for the prenatal diagnosis of common fetal aneuploidies.Methods:A dPCR-based assay was developed for detecting trisomies 21, 18, and 13. A retrospective analysis was carried out on 173 amniotic fluid samples collected by the Prenatal Diagnosis Center of Taizhou Hospital between January 2017 and December 2023. By using chromosomal karyotyping as the gold standard, the diagnostic performance of the multiplex dPCR system was evaluated in a double-blind manner. This study has been approved by the Ethics Committee of Taizhou Hospital (Ethics No. K20250339).Results:Chromosomal karyotyping has identified 59 cases of trisomy 21, 5 cases of trisomy 18, 2 cases of trisomy 13, 6 cases with chromosomal structural abnormalities or mosaicisms, and 101 cases with a normal karyotype. The dPCR results ( Z-score cutoff = 4.0, CI = 99.997%) showed full concordance with karyotyping (sensitivity = 100%, specificity = 100%, Kappa = 1). Among the 6 structurally abnormal or mosaicism samples, dPCR has accurately detected 4 cases, but mis-classified 2 cases of trisomy 21 with very low-level mosaicisms (3.3%, 6.9%, respectively) as normal. Conclusion:The established multiplex dPCR system demonstrated high diagnostic accuracy for common chromosomal aneuploidies, with results available within 24 hours. It can serve as an efficient supplementary tool to conventional chromosomal karyotyping, providing reliable support for time-sensitive clinical decision-making in prenatal diagnosis.

Objective:To evaluate the protective effectiveness (VE) of the acellular pertussis vaccine (aPV) against pertussis in children aged 2 months to 6 years.Methods:A test-negative case-control study was conducted among children aged 2 months to 6 years who sought medical care for cough and underwent pertussis nucleic acid testing at sentinel surveillance hospitals in Zhejiang Province in 2024. Cases were defined as those with positive pertussis nucleic acid test results, while controls were test-negative individuals matched 1∶1 based on propensity scores using the caliper matching method. Conditional logistic regression models were used to calculate odds ratios ( ORs) and VEs. Results:Among the 658 participants, 31.76% (209 cases) tested positive for pertussis. After propensity score matching, 203 cases and 203 controls were included in the analysis. The VE of 1-2, 3, and 4 doses of aPV against pertussis was 52.46% (95% CI:-39.82%-83.84%), 65.22% (95% CI: 6.86%-87.02%), and 72.21% (95% CI: 34.33%-88.24%), respectively. For pertussis-related hospitalization, the VE of 1-3 and 4 doses was 80.95% (95% CI:31.38%-94.71%) and 86.79% (95% CI: 51.89%-96.37%). The VE for those who completed 4 doses of vaccination and had intervals of less than 2 years, 2 years, 3 years, and 4 years or more after vaccination were 91.15% (95% CI: 67.61%-97.58%), 84.70% (95% CI: 43.71%-95.84%),56.23% (95% CI:-47.58%-87.02%), and 49.92% (95% CI:-83.74%-86.35%), respectively. Conclusion:The VE of aPV against pertussis in children aged 2 months to 6 years increases with the number of doses administered, and it is more effective in preventing hospitalization due to pertussis. The VE declines rapidly over time after the last dose. It is recommended to follow the new pertussis immunization program for timely and full vaccination.

Objective:To evaluate the protective effectiveness (VE) of the acellular pertussis vaccine (aPV) against pertussis in children aged 2 months to 6 years.Methods:A test-negative case-control study was conducted among children aged 2 months to 6 years who sought medical care for cough and underwent pertussis nucleic acid testing at sentinel surveillance hospitals in Zhejiang Province in 2024. Cases were defined as those with positive pertussis nucleic acid test results, while controls were test-negative individuals matched 1∶1 based on propensity scores using the caliper matching method. Conditional logistic regression models were used to calculate odds ratios ( ORs) and VEs. Results:Among the 658 participants, 31.76% (209 cases) tested positive for pertussis. After propensity score matching, 203 cases and 203 controls were included in the analysis. The VE of 1-2, 3, and 4 doses of aPV against pertussis was 52.46% (95% CI:-39.82%-83.84%), 65.22% (95% CI: 6.86%-87.02%), and 72.21% (95% CI: 34.33%-88.24%), respectively. For pertussis-related hospitalization, the VE of 1-3 and 4 doses was 80.95% (95% CI:31.38%-94.71%) and 86.79% (95% CI: 51.89%-96.37%). The VE for those who completed 4 doses of vaccination and had intervals of less than 2 years, 2 years, 3 years, and 4 years or more after vaccination were 91.15% (95% CI: 67.61%-97.58%), 84.70% (95% CI: 43.71%-95.84%),56.23% (95% CI:-47.58%-87.02%), and 49.92% (95% CI:-83.74%-86.35%), respectively. Conclusion:The VE of aPV against pertussis in children aged 2 months to 6 years increases with the number of doses administered, and it is more effective in preventing hospitalization due to pertussis. The VE declines rapidly over time after the last dose. It is recommended to follow the new pertussis immunization program for timely and full vaccination.

BACKGROUND:It has been found that vascular endothelial growth factor 165 and bone morphogenetic proteins interact with each other during hypoxia-reoxygenation and are involved in the repair process of osteoblast injury by regulating the activation of intracellular signaling pathways. OBJECTIVE:To further investigate the relationship between vascular endothelial growth factor 165/bone morphogenetic protein and hypoxic-reoxygenated osteoblast injury. METHODS:Osteoblasts were selected and the hypoxic-reoxygenated injury model was established.Vascular endothelial growth factor 165 and bone morphogenetic protein expressions at mRNA and protein levels were detected by real-time PCR and western blot before and after modeling.After modeling,osteoblasts were given different concentrations of vascular endothelial growth factor 165 and bone morphogenetic protein 2(10,20,40 ng/mL).Cell proliferation was detected by cell counting kit-8 method and apoptosis was detected by DAPI at 12,24,36,48,and 72 hours after treatment. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with before modeling,the mRNA and protein expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor 165 and bone morphogenetic protein 2 in osteoblasts after modeling were significantly decreased(P＜0.05).The proliferation rate of osteoblasts was significantly increased with the increase of vascular endothelial growth factor 165 concentration(P＜0.05),while the apoptosis rate of osteoblasts decreased significantly with the increase of vascular endothelial growth factor 165 concentration(P＜0.05).The proliferation rate of osteoblast was significantly increased with the increase of bone morphogenetic protein 2 concentration(P＜0.05),while the apoptosis rate of osteoblast decreased significantly with the increase of bone morphogenetic protein 2 concentration(P＜0.05).To conclude,vascular endothelial growth factor 165 and bone morphogenetic protein are lowly expressed in hypoxic-reoxygenated osteoblast injury,and treatment with vascular endothelial growth factor 165 and bone morphogenetic protein can reduce the injury of hypoxic-reoxygenated osteoblast in a concentration-dependent manner,suggesting that vascular endothelial growth factor 165 and bone morphogenetic protein have a significant protective effect against the injury of hypoxic-reoxygenated osteoblasts.

Objective To apply ultrasound to monitor cardiac function changes after anthracycline exposure in children with acute leukemia,in order to obtain the indicators of early changes in their cardiac function.Methods Children with acute leukemia from 2018 March to December 2020 in the Children's Hospital of Kunming Medical University were enrolled according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria,their routine cardiac ultrasound and tissue Doppler condition were recorded,and the changes in systolic function were evaluated by Tei index including TeiS,TeiRL,TeiM and TeiT.Results The mean values of LVEF in the normal and the experimental group were both above 60%.FS,SV,and EDV were all in the normal range.While common indicant,the index of TDI or Tei was not statistically significant(P>0.05).The levels of TeiM,TeiRL and TieT in the groups that received a total dose of 200 mg/m2 anthracyclines and 250 mg/m2 were significantly different from that before treatment(P<0.05).Conclusion Tei index can be utilized as a sensitive indicator for early changes in left and right heart function after children with acute leukemia are exposed to anthracyclines.

Objective:Patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(AECOPD)combined with severe type Ⅱ respiratory failure have a high probability of ventilation failure using conventional non-invasive positive pressure ventilation(NPPV).This study aims to investigate the clinical efficacy of high intensity NPPV(HI-NPPV)for the treatment of AECOPD combined with severe type Ⅱ respiratory failure. Methods:The data of patients with AECOPD combined with severe type Ⅱ respiratory failure(blood gas analysis pH≤7.25)treated with NPPV in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from July 2013 to July 2023 were collected to conduct a retrospective case-control study.The patients were divided into 2 groups according to the inspired positive airway pressure(IPAP)used during the NPPV treatment:a NPPV group(IPAP<20 cmH2O,1 cmH2O=0.098 kPa)and a HI-NPPV group(20 cmH2O≤IPAP<30 cmH2O).Ninety-nine and 95 patients were included in the NPPV group and the HI-NPPV group,respectively.A total of 86 pairs of data were matched using propensity score matching(PSM)for data matching.The primary outcome indexes(mortality and tracheal intubation rate)and secondary outcome indexes[blood gas analysis pH,arterial partial pressure of oxygen(PaO2)and arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide(PaCO2),adverse reaction rate,and length of hospitalization]were compared between the 2 groups. Results:The tracheal intubation rates of the NPPV group and the HI-NPPV group were 6.98％and 1.16％,respectively,and the difference between the 2 groups was statistically significant(χ2=4.32,P<0.05);the mortality of the NPPV group and the HI-NPPV group was 23.26％and 9.30％,respectively,and the difference between the 2 groups was statistically significant(χ2=11.64,P<0.01).The PaO2 at 24 h and 48 h after treatment of the HI-NPPV group was higher than that of the NPPV group,and the PaCO2 of the HI-NPPV group was lower than that of the NPPV group,and the differences were statistically significant(all P<0.05).The differences of pH at 24 h and 48 h after treatment between the 2 groups were not statistically significant(both P>0.05).The differences between the 2 groups in adverse reaction rate and hospitalization length were not statistically significant(both P>0.05). Conclusion:HI-NPPV can reduce mortality and tracheal intubation rates by rapidly improving the ventilation of patients with AECOPD combined with severe type Ⅱ respiratory failure.This study provides a new idea for the treatment of patients with AECOPD combined with severe type Ⅱ respiratory failure.