Vein graft (VG) failure (VGF) is associated with VG intimal hyperplasia, which is characterized by abnormal accumulation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Most neointimal VSMCs are derived from pre-existing VSMCs via a process of VSMC phenotypic transition, also known as dedifferentiation. There is increasing evidence to suggest that ginger or its bioactive ingredients may block VSMC dedifferentiation, exerting vasoprotective functions; however, the precise mechanisms have not been fully characterized. Therefore, we investigated the effect of ginger on VSMC phenotypic transition in VG remodeling after transplantation. Ginger significantly inhibited neointimal hyperplasia and promoted lumen (L) opening in a 3-month VG, which was primarily achieved by reducing ferroptotic stress. Ferroptotic stress is a pro-ferroptotic state. Contractile VSMCs did not die but instead gained a proliferative capacity and switched to the secretory type, forming neointima (NI) after vein transplantation. Ginger and its two main vasoprotective ingredients (6-gingerol and 6-shogaol) inhibit VSMC dedifferentiation by reducing ferroptotic stress. Network pharmacology analysis revealed that 6-gingerol inhibits ferroptotic stress by targeting P53, while 6-shogaol inhibits ferroptotic stress by targeting 5-lipoxygenase (Alox5), both promoting ferroptosis. Furthermore, both ingredients co-target peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), decreasing PPARγ-mediated nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase 1 (Nox1) expression. Nox1 promotes intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and directly induces VSMC dedifferentiation. In addition, Nox1 is a ferroptosis-promoting gene that encourages ferroptotic stress production, indirectly leading to VSMC dedifferentiation. Ginger, a natural multi-targeted ferroptotic stress inhibitor, finely and effectively prevents VSMC phenotypic transition and protects against venous injury remodeling.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the potential mediating role of plasma phosphorylated tau217 (p-tau217) in the association between periodontitis and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). METHODS: In this case-control study, patients diagnosed with MCI in the Neurology Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong Second Medical University from November 2023 to May 2024 were selected as the case group (MCI group). Cognitively normal (CN) volunteers, matched for age and education level and recruited from the physical examination center during the same period, served as the control group (CN group). The general demographic data of the study participants were collected. The Beijing versions of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), clinical dementia rating (CDR), and activities of daily living scale (ADL) were used to assess neuropsychological functions. Clinical periodontal examinations were conducted, the periodontal inflamed surface area (PISA) was calculated, and the periodontitis stage was determined in accordance with the 2018 classification. Fasting elbow venous blood samples were collected in the morning, and blood biochemical indicators were measured. Plasma p-tau217 levels were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Statistical analyses were performed using t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, chi-square test, partial correlation analysis, multivariate Logistic regression analysis, multiple linear regression analysis, restricted cubic spline (RCS) regression analysis, and mediation effect analysis. RESULTS: Among the 192 participants, 96 belong to the MCI group and 96 to the CN group. The prevalence of periodontitis was 63.5% in the MCI group and 43.8% in the CN group, with a statistically significant difference (χ²=7.561, P=0.006). The plasma p-tau217 levels in the MCI group were significantly higher than those in the CN group [7.00 (4.27-9.65) ng/mL versus 2.02 (0.80-3.81) ng/mL, Z=-8.108, P<0.001]. Partial correlation analysis revealed that plasma p-tau217 levels were positively correlated with all the clinical periodontal indices (all P<0.001). After adjustments for baseline covariates, multivariate Logistic regression indicated that periodontitis was an independent risk factor for MCI. Patients with periodontitis had a 1.977-fold higher MCI risk than those without periodontitis (OR=1.977, 95%CI: 1.088-3.594, P=0.025). Moreover, the MCI risk for stage Ⅰ/Ⅱ periodontitis and stage Ⅲ/Ⅳ periodontitis was 1.878 times (OR=1.878, 95%CI: 1.029-3.425, P=0.040) and 2.625 times (OR=2.625, 95%CI: 1.073-6.246, P=0.035) higher than that for patients without periodontitis, respectively. Trend test showed that the MCI risk increased with periodontitis severity (P_trend=0.016). After adjustments for baseline covariates, multiple linear regression analysis showed that periodontitis was an independent risk factor for increased plasma p-tau217 levels (β=3.309, 95%CI: 2.363-4.254, P<0.001). Compared with patients without periodontitis, those with stage Ⅰ/Ⅱ periodontitis (β=1.838, 95%CI: 0.869-2.806, P<0.001) and stage Ⅲ/Ⅳ periodontitis (β=5.539, 95%CI: 4.442-6.636, P<0.001) had significantly higher plasma p-tau217 levels. In addition, trend test indicated that plasma p-tau217 levels increased with periodontitis severity (P_trend<0.001). After adjustments for baseline covariates, RCS regression analysis further revealed that PISA had a positive linear dose-response relationship with MCI risk (P_overall=0.002, P_nonlinear=0.344) and plasma p-tau217 levels (P_overall<0.001, P_nonlinear=0.140). After adjustments for baseline covariates, mediation analysis showed that plasma p-tau217 mediated the association between periodontitis and MCI, with a mediation proportion of 13.99% (95% Bootstrap CI: 0.38%-49.39%, P=0.038). CONCLUSIONS Periodontitis was independently positively associated with MCI risk, and plasma p-tau217 plays a mediating role in this association.
Humans ; Cognitive Dysfunction/complications* ; tau Proteins/blood* ; Periodontitis/complications* ; Case-Control Studies ; Male ; Female ; Phosphorylation ; Aged ; Middle Aged ; Activities of Daily Living

Objective To analyze the prognosis and influencing factors in patients with radioiodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer (RAIR-DTC). Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 52 patients with RAIR-DTC who underwent ineffective ¹³¹I therapy at the Department of Nuclear Medicine, Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from October 2016 to January 2020. Patients were categorized into progression and stable groups based on disease progression within five years post-treatment. Differences between groups were analyzed using chi-square test and logistic regression. Independent prognostic risk factors were identified using a Cox proportional hazards model. The Kaplan-Meier method with log-rank test was used to evaluate the impact of treatment on the prognosis of the progression group. Results The 3-year and 5-year survival rates of the 52 patients with RAIR-DTC were 88.5% and 73.1%, respectively. In the progression group, the rates were 81.8% and 57.6%. In the stable group, the rates were 100% and 100%. There were significant differences between the two groups in terms of age, presence of extrathyroidal extension, and the initial ¹³¹I treatment dose (P < 0.05). Univariate analysis indicated that the age, pre-ablation stimulated thyroglobulin level before the first ¹³¹I treatment, the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio before the first treatment, and the sites of recurrence and metastasis were significantly associated with overall survival (P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that age > 55 years (HR=12.40, 95% CI= 2.09-73.57, P=0.001) and distant metastasis (HR=24.47, 95% CI=4.17-143.75, P < 0.001) were independent risk factors for poor prognosis. Kaplan-Meier curve analysis showed that local surgery and/or targeted therapy significantly prolonged progression-free survival in the progression group (P < 0.001). Conclusion The prognosis for RAIR-DTC is poor, with advanced age and distant metastasis significantly associated with unfavorable outcomes. In elderly patients and those with extrathyroidal invasion, the treatment dose during initial ¹³¹I therapy may be appropriately increased to delay disease progression. For patients with disease progression, prompt local surgical intervention and/or targeted therapy is recommended.

Objective:To investigate the clinical value of abdominal adipose volume in predicting early tumor recurrence after resection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods:The retrospective case-control study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 132 HCC patients with tumor diameter ≤5 cm who were admitted to The First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University from December 2017 to October 2019 were collected. There were 110 males and 22 females, aged (51±4)years. All patients underwent resection of HCC. Preoperative computer tomography scanning was performed and the visceral and subcutaneous fats of patients were quantified using the Mimics Research 21.0 software. Based on time to postoperative tumor recurrence patients were divided to two categories: early recurrence and non-early recurrence. Observation indicators: (1) consistency analy-sis; (2) analysis of factors influencing early tumor recurrence after resection of HCC and construction of prediction model. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean± SD, and comparison between groups was conducted using the t test. Measurement data with skewed distribu-tion were represented as M( Q1,Q3) or M(range), and comparison between groups was conducted using the Mann-Whitney U test. Count data were expressed as absolute numbers, and comparison between groups was conducted using the chi-square test or Fisher exact probability. Consistency analysis was conducted using the intragroup correlation coefficient (ICC) test. Multivariate analysis was performed using the binary Logistic regression model forward method. Independent risk factors influencing early tumor recurrence after resection of HCC were screened. The area under curve (AUC) of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was applied to select the optimal cut-off value to classify high and low risks of recurrence. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to draw survival curve and calculate survival time. The Log-Rank test was used for survival analysis. Results:(1) Consistency analysis. The consistency ICC of abdominal fat parameters of visceral fat volume (VFV), subcutaneous fat volume, visceral fat area, and subcutaneous fat area measured by 2 radiologists were 0.84, 1.00, 0.86, and 0.94, respectively. (2) Analysis of factors influencing early tumor recurr-ence after resection of HCC and construction of prediction model. All 132 patients were followed up after surgery for 662(range, 292-1 111)days. During the follow-up, there were 52 patients with non-early recurrence and 80 patients with early recurrence. Results of multivariate analysis showed that VFV was an independent factor influencing early tumor recurrence after resection of HCC ( odds ratio=4.07, 95% confidence interval as 2.27-7.27, P<0.05). The AUC of ROC curve based on VFV was 0.78 (95% confidence interval as 0.70-0.85), and the sensitivity and specificity were 72.2 % and 77.4 %, respectively. The optimal cut-off value of VFV was 1.255 dm 3, and all 132 patients were divided into the high-risk early postoperative recurrence group of 69 cases with VFV >1.255 dm 3, and the low-risk early postoperative recurrence group of 63 cases with VFV ≤1.255 dm 3. The disease-free survival time of the high-risk early postoperative recurrence group and the low-risk early post-operative recurrence group were 414(193,702)days and 1 047(620,1 219)days, showing a significant difference between them ( χ2=31.17, P<0.05). Conclusions:VFV is an independent factor influen-cing early tumor recurrence of HCC after resection. As a quantitative indicator of abdominal fat, it can predict the prognosis of HCC patients.

Objective:To analyze the positive detection rate, main genotypes of β-thalassemia in western region of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (referred to as Guangxi).Methods:Retrospective analysis of 26 189 individuals who underwent gene testing for thalassemia at the Affiliated Hospital of Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities from January 2013 to December 2019. Using the crossing breakpoint PCR (Gap-PCR) and reverse dot blot (RDB) techniques to detect Chinese common type of 7 kinds of α-thalassemia and 17 kinds of β-thalassemia genotypes, high-throughput sequencing(Sanger) was performed for suspected rare β-thalassemia. Gap-PCR was used for suspected deletion β-thalassemia types.Results:β-thalassemia was diagnosed in 4 495 (17.16%) of 26 189 samples. A total of 6 177 alleles of 20 types of β-thalassemia were detected, mainly CD17 (2 712 cases, 43.90%) and CD41-42 (2 240 cases, 36.26%), including 7 rare alleles: Gγ +( Aγδβ) 0, SEA-HPFH, Hb New York, Hb G-Taipei, Hb Hezhou, Hb G-Coushatta and IVS-Ⅱ-81. There were 3 903 case (86.83%) heterozygous, 273 case (6.07%) double heterozygous, and 319 case (7.10%) homozygous among 4 495 β-thalassaemia subjects. A total of 48 genotypes were detected. The two most common genotypes were CD17/β N (1 890 cases, 42.05%) and CD41-42/β N (1 212 cases, 26.96%), accounted for 69.01% (3 102/4 495). Seven rare genotypes were detected: Gγ +( Aγδβ) 0/β N in 3 cases, Hb New York/β N in 3 cases, Hb G-Taipei/β N in 2 cases, SEA-HPFH/β N, Hb Hezhou/β N, Hb G-Coushatta/β N and IVS-Ⅱ-81/β N in 1 case each. A total of 1 041 cases (3.97%, 1 041/26 189) of 116 types of αβ-thalassemia were detected, mainly -- SEA/αα composite CD17/β N (144 cases, 13.83%), followed by -α 3.7/αα composite CD17/β N (112 cases, 10.76%). Conclusions:Western region of Guangxi is a high prevalence area of β-thalassemia, CD17/β N and CD41-42/β N are the main genotypes. The variation spectrum of β-thalassemia is complex and diverse, with rich genotype.

Objective To analyze the prognosis and influencing factors in patients with radioiodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer (RAIR-DTC). Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 52 patients with RAIR-DTC who underwent ineffective ¹³¹I therapy at the Department of Nuclear Medicine, Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from October 2016 to January 2020. Patients were categorized into progression and stable groups based on disease progression within five years post-treatment. Differences between groups were analyzed using chi-square test and logistic regression. Independent prognostic risk factors were identified using a Cox proportional hazards model. The Kaplan-Meier method with log-rank test was used to evaluate the impact of treatment on the prognosis of the progression group. Results The 3-year and 5-year survival rates of the 52 patients with RAIR-DTC were 88.5% and 73.1%, respectively. In the progression group, the rates were 81.8% and 57.6%. In the stable group, the rates were 100% and 100%. There were significant differences between the two groups in terms of age, presence of extrathyroidal extension, and the initial ¹³¹I treatment dose (P < 0.05). Univariate analysis indicated that the age, pre-ablation stimulated thyroglobulin level before the first ¹³¹I treatment, the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio before the first treatment, and the sites of recurrence and metastasis were significantly associated with overall survival (P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that age > 55 years (HR=12.40, 95% CI= 2.09-73.57, P=0.001) and distant metastasis (HR=24.47, 95% CI=4.17-143.75, P < 0.001) were independent risk factors for poor prognosis. Kaplan-Meier curve analysis showed that local surgery and/or targeted therapy significantly prolonged progression-free survival in the progression group (P < 0.001). Conclusion The prognosis for RAIR-DTC is poor, with advanced age and distant metastasis significantly associated with unfavorable outcomes. In elderly patients and those with extrathyroidal invasion, the treatment dose during initial ¹³¹I therapy may be appropriately increased to delay disease progression. For patients with disease progression, prompt local surgical intervention and/or targeted therapy is recommended.

The contents of general practice discipline construction comprise of orientation, team development, personnel training, scientific research, teaching base establishment and management of the discipline, etc. At present, the weakness in above aspects of general practice discipline construction is still the major challenges in most of the primary healthcare institutions. Our experiences in last 10 years shows that the application of Leicester Assessment Package can effectively promote the general practice discipline development for primary care institutions.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effectiveness， safety and economy of baloxavir marboxil in the treatment of influenza， and to provide evidence-based reference for the introduction of new drugs in hospitals and clinical medication decisions. METHODS Retrieved from PubMed， Embase， Web of Science， Cochrane Library， Epistemonikos， CBM， CNKI， VIP， Wanfang database， official websites and relevant databases of health technology assessment （HTA） institutions， the results of the included studies were descriptively analyzed after literature screening， data extraction and quality evaluation. RESULTS A total of 11 studies were included， involving 6 systematic reviews/meta-analyses and 5 pharmacoeconomic studies. Compared with placebo， baloxavir marboxil significantly shortened the time to alleviation of symptoms （TTAS） and time to resolution of fever （TTRF）， reduced the virus titer change from baseline at 24 h and 48 h after treatment and the incidence of bronchitis， with statistical significance （P＜ 0.05）. Compared with neuraminidase inhibitors （NAIs）， there were no significant differences in shortening TTRF and reducing the incidence of complications， pneumonia and bronchitis （P＞0.05）. The majority of studies suggested that there were no significant differences in shortening TTAS （P＞0.05）. Only very low-quality literature suggested that baloxavir marboxil could significantly reduce the virus titer change from baseline at 24 h and 48 h after treatment. In terms of safety， the incidences of adverse events （AEs） and drug-related adverse events （DRAEs） induced by baloxavir marboxil showed no significant differences， compared with peramivir and zanamivir （P＞0.05）. Some studies considered that the incidences of AEs and DRAEs with baloxavir marboxil were lower than placebo， oseltamivir and laninamivir. Compared with oseltamivir in China and laninamivir in Japan， baloxavir marboxil showed cost-effectiveness advantages. CONCLUSIONS Compared with placebo， baloxavir marboxil has good efficacy， safety and economy. Compared with NAIs （oseltamivir）， baloxavir marboxil has good economic advantages in China， but further high-quality studies are still needed regarding its safety and efficacy.

Trousseau′s syndrome(TS) is a complication of cancer-associated thrombosis caused by hypercoagulability. A 58-years female patient admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University on October 2020 and diagnosed with Trousseau′s syndrome was reported. This was a patient with pancreatic malignant tumor. On the second day of admission, the mouth angle was distorted and the speech was vague. Craniocerebral MR showed multiple DWI high signals in the brain parenchyma, and brain MR enhancement showed no abnormal enhancement in the brain parenchyma. The patient was considered to be Trousseau′s syndrome. Using "Trousseau′s syndrome" and "cerebral infarction" as key words, the relevant literature was searched in CNKI, Wanfang and PubMed databases from January 2011 to June 2021, total of 76 cases of Trousseau′s syndrome complicated with cerebral infarction were reported in the literature. Among 77 cases (including one in this study) 36 were males and 41 were females, with a median age of 63 years old. The most common tumor type was lung adenocarcinoma (24 cases, 31.2 %). The mean D-dimer level was (17.3±12.8) mg/L, Craniocerebral CT or MRI showed that 57 cases (74.0 %) had bilateral multiple lesions; and 56 cases received anticoagulant therapy. A total of 68 patients were followed up, with a median survival time of 90 days, and one year overall survival rate was 32.6 %. The study indicates that for cerebral infarction with significantly elevated D-dimer level and multiple vascular involvement, malignant tumors should be considered.

Objective:To investigate the current status of prevention and treatment of esophagogastric variceal bleeding (EVB) in cirrhotic portal hypertension patients in Ningxia region.Methods:The retrospective and descriptive study was conducted. The clinical data of 820 cirrhotic portal hypertension patients who were admitted to 21 medical centers in Niangxia region from January 2018 to December 2020 were collected, including 85 cases in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region People′s Hospital, 73 cases in the Fifth People′s Hospital of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, 59 cases in the Wuzhong People′s Hospital, 52 cases in the Qingtongxia People′s Hospital, 50 cases in the Guyuan People′s Hospital, 47 cases in the Yuanzhou District People′s Hospital of Guyuan City, 47 cases in the Yinchuan Second People′s Hospital, 40 cases in the General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, 40 cases in the Tongxin People′s Hospital, 35 cases in the Yinchuan First People′s Hospital, 34 cases in the Third People′s Hospital of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, 32 cases in the Zhongwei People′s Hospital, 30 cases in the Lingwu People′s Hospital, 30 cases in the Wuzhong New District Hospital, 30 cases in the Yanchi People′s Hospital, 29 cases in the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 28 cases in the Shizuishan Second People′s Hospital, 25 cases in the Shizuishan First People′s Hospital, 21 cases in the Haiyuan People′s Hospital, 20 cases in the Pengyang People′s Hospital, 13 cases in the Longde People′s Hospital. There were 538 males and 282 females, aged (56±13)years. Observation indicators: (1) clinical charac-teristics of cirrhotic portal hypertension patients; (2) overall prevention and treatment of EVB in cirrhotic portal hypertension patients; (3) prevention and treatment of EVB in cirrhotic portal hypertension patients from different grade hospitals. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean± SD. Count data were described as absolute numbers, and comparison between groups was analyzed using the chi-square test. Results:(1) Clinical characteristics of cirrhotic portal hypertension patients: of 820 cirrhotic portal hypertension patients, 271 cases were in compensated stage and 549 cases were in decompensated stage. Of the 271 cases in compensated stage, there were 183 maels and 88 females, aged (53±12)years. There were 185 Han people, 85 Hui people and 1 case of other ethic group. The etiological data of liver cirrhosis showed 211 cases of viral hepatitis B, 4 cases of alcoholic liver disease, 8 cases of viral hepatitis C, and 48 cases of other etiology. There were 235 cases of Child-Pugh grade A and 36 cases lack of data. Of the 549 cases in decompensated stage, there were 355 males and 194 females, aged (57±14) years. There were 373 Han people, 174 Hui people and 2 cases of other ethic group. The etiological data of liver cirrhosis showed 392 cases of viral hepatitis B, 33 cases of alcoholic liver disease, 10 cases of viral hepatitis C, and 114 cases of other etiology. There were 80 cases of Child-Pugh grade A, 289 cases of grade B, 170 cases of grade C and 10 cases lack of data. (2) Overall prevention and treatment of EVB in cirrhotic portal hypertension patients: of 271 patients in compensated stage, 38 cases received non-selective β-blocker (NSBB) therapy, 16 cases received endoscopic treatment, 6 cases received interventional therapy. Of 549 patients in decompensated stage, 68 cases received NSBB therapy, 46 cases received endoscopic treatment, 28 cases received interventional therapy. (3) Prevention and treatment of EVB in cirrhotic portal hypertension patients from different grade hospitals: of 271 patients in compensated stage, 181 cases came from tertiary hospitals, of which 28 cases received NSBB therapy, 15 cases received endoscopic treatment, 6 cases received interventional therapy. Ninety cases came from secondary hospitals, of which 10 cases received NSBB therapy, 1 cases received endoscopic treatment. There was no significant difference in NSBB for prevention of EVB between tertiary and secondary hospitals ( χ2=0.947, P>0.05), while there was a significant difference in endoscopic treatment for prevention of EVB between tertiary and secondary hospitals ( χ2=5.572, P<0.05). Of 549 patients in decompensated stage, 309 cases came from tertiary hospitals, of which 22 cases received NSBB therapy, 29 cases received endoscopic treatment, 22 cases received interventional therapy. Two hundreds and fourty cases came from secondary hospitals, of which 46 cases received NSBB therapy, 17 cases received endoscopic treatment, 6 cases received interven-tional therapy. There were significant differences in NSBB and interventional therapy for prevention of EVB between tertiary and secondary hospitals ( χ2=18.065, 5.956, P<0.05). Conclusions:The proportion of receiving EUB prevention in cirrhotic portal hypertension in Ningxia is relatively low. For patients with compensated liver cirrhosis, the proportion of NSBB therapy and endoscopic treatment in the secondary hospitals was lower than that in tertiary hospitals. For patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis, the proportion of interventional treatment in secondary hospitals is lower than that of tertiary hospitals, but the proportion of NSBB in secondary hospitals taking is higher than that of tertiary hospitals.