1.Clinical study of targeted epidural space block combined with acupotomy in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation under X-ray guidance
Yingzheng ZHANG ; Yadong WANG ; Xiaoyue DENG ; Lu CAI ; Weizhen WANG ; Qiuxia YANG ; Yafang SUN ; Feifei LIU
China Medical Equipment 2025;22(3):68-72
Objective:To explore the clinical efficacy of targeted epidural space block combined with acupotomy in the treatment for lumbar disc herniation(LDH)under the monitor of X-ray image,and to analyze the safety of its operation.Methods:A total of 60 LDH patients who admitted to Department of Pain,Jiangyin Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine from January 2022 to September 2023 were selected,and they were randomly divided into observation group and control group as random number table,with 30 cases in each group.The observation group adopted targeted epidural space block combined with acupotomy under monitor with X-ray for anterior epidural space,while the control group adopted conventionally epidural block,all of which were treated only once.The Visual Analogue Scale(VAS)scores and Oswestry Disability Index(ODI)scores of two groups before treatment and at the 3rd day,7th day and 30th day after treatment were compared.At the 30th day after treatment,the curative effects of two groups were evaluated according to ODI scores,at the same time,the safe distance between puncture and acupotomy in patients of observation group was analyzed.Results:The effective rates of the treatment of observation group and control group were respectively 96.67%and 70%,and the difference of that between the two groups was statistically significant(x2=7.680,P<0.05).The VAS scores of the two groups at the 3rd day,7th day and 30th day after treatment were lower than those before treatment,and the observation group(2.30±0.87),(1.53±0.86)and(1.47±0.81)were lower than the control group(4.43±0.89),(2.23±0.89)and(4.27±0.82),the difference was statistically significant(t=9.374,3.098,13.306,P<0.05).The ODI scores of the two groups were at the 3rd day,7th day and 30th day after treatment were lower than those before treatment,and the differences of them between two groups were statistically significant(t=7.112,10.690,10.151,P<0.05).In 30 patients of observation group,the gap between the dural sac and the inner edge of facet joint on the affected side was larger than 4.0mm in 25 cases,and all of them can safely conduct puncture with targeting.Conclusion:The targeted epidural space block combined with acupotomy by adopting monitor with X-ray image can effectively improve the symptom of pain,and activities of daily life of LDH patients,which treatment is safe and effective.
2.Diarrhea caused by foodborne Salmonella infection in children aged 0-6 years in Guizhou Province from 2016 to 2023
LIAO Hongxia, WANG Yafang, LIU Lin, ZHANG Lili, YANG Qi, LI Lei
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(5):732-736
Objective:
To analyze the epidemilogical and seasonal characteristics of foodborne Salmonella-associated diarrhea among children aged 0-6 years in Guizhou Province from 2016 to 2023, so as to provide a basis for the prevention and control of foodborne diseases.
Methods:
Data were extracted from the Foodborne Disease Survellance System for cases reported between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2023. The incidence, seasonal characteristics, and peak periods were analyzed by the method of concentration and circular distribution.
Results:
A total of 6 434 cases of diarrhea in children aged 0-6 years were collected, and 455 cases of Salmonella were detected, with a positive detection rate of 7.07%. Salmonella typhimurium was the main serotype causing diarrhea (59.34%). The peak of the disease was from May 3 to September 30, with certain seasonal characteristics. The highest detection rate was found in children aged 1-3 years (8.66%). Among food types, the positive detection rates of Salmonella were relatively high in other foods (17.39%), fruits and their products (10.22%), infant and toddler foods (10.09%), and aquatic animals and their products (9.80%). The processing and packaging methods of food were mainly home-made (9.38%) and bulk food (7.54%).
Conclusions
The detection rate of Salmonella in children aged 0-6 years is high in Guizhou Province, with strong seasonal characteristics. The detection rates of other foods, fruits and their products, infant and toddler foods, and aquatic animals and their products are high. Enhanced pathogen surveillance for susceptible populations and high-risk foods, coupled with public health education during summer/autumn, is recommended.
3.Effects of acupoint catgut embedding on gut microbiota and fecal short-chain fatty acids in Parkinson's disease patients with constipation.
Xiaomei ZHANG ; Jie JIANG ; Wenying LI ; Juping CHEN ; Yin HUANG ; Wei REN ; Yafang SONG ; Jianhua SUN
Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion 2025;45(11):1533-1540
OBJECTIVE:
To observe the effects of acupoint catgut embedding (ACE) on gut microbiota and fecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) levels in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) with constipation.
METHODS:
A total of 80 PD patients with constipation were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 40 cases in each group. Additionally, 40 healthy individuals were recruited as a healthy control group. The control group received conventional Western medical treatment for PD combined with polyethylene glycol (PEG), once daily for eight weeks. The observation group received additional ACE treatment at bilateral Tianshu (ST25), Zusanli (ST36), and Shangjuxu (ST37), once every two weeks for eight weeks. The healthy control group received no intervention. The spontaneous bowel movements (SBMs) per week and patient assessment of constipation quality of life (PAC-QOL) scores were assessed at baseline and after treatment in the two groups. Fecal samples were collected at the end of treatment for the observation and the control groups and at baseline for the healthy control group. Gut microbiota composition and diversity were analyzed using 16S rRNA method, and SCFA levels were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).
RESULTS:
Compared before treatment, the observation group showed a significant increase in SBMs (P<0.01), and PAC-QOL scores including physical discomfort, psychosocial discomfort, worry and concern, and total score were significantly reduced (P<0.01) after treatment; the control group also showed a reduction in PAC-QOL total score after treatment (P<0.01). After treatment, the observation group had significantly more SBMs (P<0.01), and lower PAC-QOL physical discomfort, psychosocial discomfort, worry and concern scores, and total score (P<0.01), and higher PAC-QOL satisfaction score (P<0.01) than the control group. Compared with the healthy control group, the control group showed decreased Chao1 and Ace indices (P<0.01). Compared with the healthy control group, the relative abundance of Prevotella and Roseburia was increased (P<0.05), while that of Enterobacter and Ruminococcus torques (six species in total) was decreased (P<0.05) in the control group. Compared with the control group, the observation group had increased relative abundance of Dialister, Parabacteroides, and Ruminococcus torques (P<0.05), and decreased relative abundance of Prevotella and Eubacterium ruminantium (P<0.05). Compared with the healthy control group, the control group had increased fecal SCFA levels (P<0.05); compared with the control group, the observation group had reduced fecal SCFA levels (P<0.05). Compared with the healthy control group, acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid levels were elevated in the control group (P<0.05); compared with the control group, acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid levels were decreased in the observation group (P<0.05).
CONCLUSION
ACE could increase spontaneous bowel movements and improve the quality of life in PD patients with constipation, which may be related to the regulation of gut microbiota composition and SCFA levels.
Humans
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Constipation/metabolism*
;
Male
;
Gastrointestinal Microbiome
;
Acupuncture Points
;
Female
;
Middle Aged
;
Parkinson Disease/complications*
;
Aged
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Fatty Acids, Volatile/metabolism*
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Catgut
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Feces/microbiology*
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Acupuncture Therapy
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Quality of Life
;
Adult
4.Analysis on epidemiological characteristics of child injuries
Rong TAO ; Chunfang GU ; Zhiping LI ; Yuwei ZHANG ; Yafang HUA
International Journal of Pediatrics 2025;52(10):703-707
Objective:To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of child injuries(CI)and provide a scientific basis for developing CI prevention and treatment strategies.Methods:Clinical data of CI cases admitted to Kunshan Woman and Children’s Healthcare Hospital from January 1st,2020 to December 31st,2022 were collected. The cases were classified into three age groups:infants and toddlers(0-3 years),preschoolers(4-6 years),and school-age children(7-14 years). Post hoc testing was used for pairwise comparisons between groups,and differences were determined based on adjusted standardized residuals(AR). The epidemiological characteristics that were analyzed included the type,location,and nature of injuries across these age groups.Results:A total of 12 449 CI cases were collected with a male-to-female ratio of 1.72∶1. School-age boys were more prone to injuries(72.2%, AR=16.3)compared to the other two age groups. The major CI types were falls(50.4%),blunt injuries(15.9%),and strains(9.9%). The infant and toddler group showed higher rates of strains(21.9%, AR=34.9)and poisonings(7.9%, AR=19.6)compared to the other two groups,while preschoolers group had higher rates of falls(55.6%, AR=6.5)and motor vehicle accidents(4.8%, AR=3.6)compared to other age groups. The most frequently injured body regions were upper limbs(43.9%),head/face/neck(27.0%),and lower limbs(16.7%). The infant and toddler group had higher rates of head/face/neck(34.8%, AR=15.4),upper limb(46%, AR=3.6),and whole body(8.9%, AR=18.7)injuries. The nature of CI mainly includes contusion/bruise/crush injury(34.3%),fractures(20.0%)and sharp/open wounds(19.5%). School-age children exhibited higher rates of fractures(30.1%, AR=22.1),strains/sprains(10.1%, AR=13.0),contusion/bruise/crush injury(36.6%, AR=4.2),and multi-site injuries(0.7%, AR=4.4)compared to the other two groups. Injuries were mostly mild(90.8%),with infants and toddlers showing higher mild injury rates(95.0%, AR=12.7),whereas school-aged children had more moderate injuries(11.7%, AR=11.0). Conclusion:The epidemiological characteristics of CI in infants and toddlers,preschoolers and school-age children are different,and different intervention strategies are needed for different age groups.
5.Characteristics and Associated Factors of Autoimmune Diseases-related Skin Ulcer: A Multi Center Study
Yafang ZHAO ; Chunyan ZHANG ; Shuang CUI
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2025;16(6):1474-1483
To explore the scoring level and related factors of autoimmune disease-related skin ulcers by collecting data from multiple centers, and to provide ideas and references for targeted intervention measures and management plans for clinical medical and nursing staff. From December 2022 to February 2024, data related to skin ulcers in patients with autoimmune diseases from 10 hospitals in different regions of China were collected. The data includes the patient's Fitzpatrick skin type, previous sunburn history, self-care ability, time of skin ulcer occurrence, location of skin ulcer occurrence, Bates Jensen wound score (BWAT) for skin ulcer, and VAS score for skin ulcer pain. The BWAT scores of skin ulcers in patients with different characteristics were analyzed using analysis of variance or Data from 304 patients were collected, with an average BWAT score of 32.0±8.6 for skin ulcers. The most common type of primary disease is dermatomyositis (28.9%). Skin ulcers mostly occur in the feet (22.0%), and the average VAS score for skin ulcer pain is (4.5±1.9) points. Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that the patient's region of origin ( The severity of skin ulcers is not related to the type of disease, and patients from economically underdeveloped and relatively cold climates have poorer skin ulcer conditions. Emphasizing the importance of adhering to regular medication to control the progression of the primary disease, and strengthening self observation of skin changes and pain at the ulcer site. A multidisciplinary collaborative skin ulcer management plan can be constructed based on the latest TIME clinical decision support tool (TIME-CDST), as well as TIME wound management principles for managing the ulcer site.
6.Advancements in the research of the structure, function, and disease-related roles of ARMC5.
Yang QU ; Fan YANG ; Yafang DENG ; Haitao LI ; Yidong ZHOU ; Xuebin ZHANG
Frontiers of Medicine 2025;19(2):185-199
The armadillo repeat containing 5 (ARMC5) gene is part of a family of protein-coding genes that are rich in armadillo repeat sequences, are ubiquitously present in eukaryotes, and mediate interactions between proteins, playing roles in various cellular processes. Current research has demonstrated that reduced expression or absence of the ARMC5 gene in various tumor tissues can lead to uncontrolled cell proliferation, thereby inducing a range of diseases. The ARMC5 gene was initially extensively studied in the context of bilateral macronodular adrenocortical disease (BMAD), with harmful pathogenic variants in ARMC5 identified in approximately 50% of BMAD patients. With advancing research, scientists have discovered that ARMC5 pathogenic variants may also have potential effects on other diseases and could be associated with increased susceptibility to certain cancers. This review aims to present the latest research progress on how the ARMC5 gene plays its role in tumors. It outlines the basic structure of ARMC5 and the regions where it functions, as well as the diseases currently proven to be associated with ARMC5. Moreover, some evidence suggests its relation to embryonic development and the regulation of immune system activity. In conclusion, the ARMC5 gene is a crucial focal point in genetic and medical research. Understanding its function and regulation is of great importance for the development of new therapeutic strategies related to diseases associated with its pathogenic variants.
Humans
;
Neoplasms/genetics*
;
Armadillo Domain Proteins/genetics*
;
Animals
;
Genetic Predisposition to Disease
;
Cytoskeletal Proteins/genetics*
;
Tumor Suppressor Proteins/genetics*
7.Design and application of an adjustable facial support pad for prone position ventilation.
Zhimin ZHANG ; Xiaojie CHEN ; Xinyu YAO ; Bin LI ; Yafang WANG ; Lin ZHANG
Chinese Critical Care Medicine 2025;37(1):70-72
In recent years, prone mechanical ventilation has been widely used to improve oxygenation dysfunction in critically ill patients. During prone mechanical ventilation, the patient's face is compressed for a long time, and due to the difficulty in changing, facial pressure injuries and ocular complications are common and severe. These complications increase patient discomfort, reduce their tolerance and compliance with prone ventilation, and even cause tracheal tube displacement or dislodgement, leading to significant clinical challenges. In order to change this situation, the medical staff of the department of critical care medicine of the Second People's Hospital of Hengshui and the department of critical care medicine of Harrison International Peace Hospital had developed an adjustable facial support pad for prone ventilation, and obtained a National Utility Model Patent of China (ZL 2022 2 3295294.4). The device is composed of a facial support platform, a supporting telescopic foot frame and so on. There are front, back, left and right adjustable tracks below the support cushion platform, which can be adjusted to the best state suitable for the patient's face shape, which can alleviate the facial pressure injuries and ocular complications caused by the different sizes of each patient's face, improve the patient's comfort, and reduce the incidence of facial pressure injury and the occurrence of ocular complications of the patient. The height of the platform is adjusted by the telescopic feet, and there is a hook assembly below, which can be fixed by the clamp of the ventilator tubing, so as to prevent the ventilator tubing from pulling the endotracheal intubation due to the gravity of condensation, resulting in the displacement or even prolapse of the tracheal intubation, and reducing the occurrence of adverse events of tracheal intubation. It is worth promoting in the clinic.
Humans
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Respiration, Artificial/methods*
;
Prone Position
;
Equipment Design
;
Face
8.Impact of smoking cessation on phenotype of high-resolution computed tomography and frequency of acute exacerbation in smokers with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Dongfang ZHAO ; Yafang ZHU ; Man XING ; Conghui PANG ; Junxia LIU ; Shuting ZHANG
Journal of Clinical Medicine in Practice 2025;29(3):64-69
Objective To investigate the impact of smoking cessation on high-resolution compu-ted tomography(HRCT)phenotypes in smokers with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD)and its relationship with the frequency of acute exacerbations.Methods A retrospective study was conducted in 237 smokers with COPD who could cooperate with a 1-year follow-up.Among them,160 patients underwent a comprehensive 1-year smoking cessation intervention,and were divided into smoking cessation failure group(87 patients)and smoking cessation success group(73 patients)based on whether they successfully quited smoking.The remaining 77 smokers with COPD who did not receive smoking cessation intervention were designated as smoking group.HRCT phenotypes,total lung volume(TLV),total emphysema volume(TEV),emphysema index(EI)and the number of acute exacerbation at different time points were compared among the three groups.Pearson correlation analysis was used to explore the correlation between smoking cessation and the number of acute exac-erbations.Results There was no statistically significant difference in the proportion of A phenotype patients among the three groups before intervention and at 3 and 6 months of intervention(P>0.05).At the 9th and 12th months of intervention,the proportion of patients with A phenotype in the smoking group was lower than that in the smoking cessation failure group and smoking cessation success group(P<0.05).Before the intervention and at the 3rd,6th and 9th months of interven-tion,there were no statistically significant differences in the proportion of patients with E phenotype among the three groups(P>0.05).Before intervention and at the 3rd and 6th months of interven-tion,there were no statistically significant differences in the proportion of patients with M phenotype among the three groups(P>0.05).At the 9th and 12th months of intervention,the proportion of patients with M phenotype in the smoking group was higher than that in the smoking cessation failure group and smoking cessation success group(P<0.05).Before intervention,there were no statisti-cally significant differences in TLV,TEV and EI among the three groups(P>0.05).One year af-ter the intervention,TLV,TEV and El in the smoking cessation failure group and smoking cessation success group were lower than those in the smoking group(P<0.05).At the 3rd,6th,9th and 12th months of intervention,the number of acute exacerbations in the the smoking cessation failure group and smoking cessation success group was less than that in the smoking group(P<0.05).At the 9th and 12th months of intervention,the number of acute exacerbation in the smoking cessation success group was less than that in the smoking cessation failure group(P<0.05).The results of Pearson correlation analysis showed that smoking cessation was negatively correlated with the number of acute exacerbation in smokers with COPD(P<0.05),and this negative correlation gradually in-creased with the extension of smoking cessation duration.Conclusion Smoking cessation can im-prove HRCT phenotypes and effectively reduce the number of acute exacerbation in smokers with COPD.
9.Latent profile analysis and influencing factors of self-management ability in patients with metabolic-associated fatty liver disease
Yingfen ZHANG ; Feifei YU ; Er CHEN ; Meiling LIU ; Ruiming LIANG ; Suijuan PENG ; Huiling LIANG ; Yafang HE
Chinese Journal of Health Management 2025;19(11):915-922
Objective:To analyze the latent profile characteristics of self-management ability in patients with metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) and explore its influencing factors.Methods:This was a cross-sectional study. A total of 311 patients with metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) were selected from the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University (including those receiving treatment and undergoing physical examinations) between August and October 2024. Data were collected using a general information questionnaire, the self-management Scale for Patients with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, and the Social Support Rating Scale. After excluding 51 patients due to incomplete questionnaire responses or logical inconsistencies, 260 patients were finally included in the analysis. Latent profile analysis was used to identify potential categories of patients′ self-management abilities. With the latent categories as the dependent variable and items with P<0.05 in univariate analysis as independent variables, a multivariate logistic regression analysis (with the "poor self-management group" as the reference group) was performed to explore the influencing factors. Results:Among the 260 participants included in the study, three potential categories of self-management behaviors were finally identified, namely the active self-management group with 106 cases (40.8%), the moderate self-management group with 118 cases (45.4%), and the passive self-management group with 36 cases (13.8%).Results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that, compared with the passive self-management group:Patients who resided in rural areas ( OR=0.130, 95% CI: 0.040-0.420), often stayed up late ( OR=0.200, 95% CI: 0.060-0.590), or had an average daily sleep duration of≤5 hours ( OR=0.160, 95% CI: 0.050-0.510) had a significantly lower probability of belonging to the "active self-management group";In contrast, patients with an education level of senior high school or above ( OR=7.530, 95% CI: 1.740-34.160) or a higher total score of social support ( OR=1.120, 95% CI: 1.030-1.210) had a significantly higher probability of being in the "active self-management group" (all P<0.05). Conclusion:There is heterogeneity in self-management ability among patients with metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). Residential area, educational level, frequency of staying up late, average daily sleep duration, and social support are influencing factors of patients′ self-management ability.
10.Economic burden of 14 chronic diseases among middle-aged and elderly people in China
Jun ZHANG ; Yidan WANG ; Xinping WANG ; Yafang ZHANG ; Yujie LI ; Chaofang YAN ; Rui DENG ; Yuan HUANG
Chinese Journal of Health Management 2025;19(12):994-1001
Objective:To estimate the economic burden of 14 chronic diseases among middle-aged and elderly people in China.Methods:This cross-sectional study was based on longitudinal data from five waves (2011 to 2020) of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). Participants aged 45 and over who had been diagnosed with exactly one target chronic disease were included in the study. The 14 chronic diseases included: hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes or elevated blood glucose, malignant tumors, chronic pulmonary diseases, liver diseases, heart diseases, stroke, kidney diseases, digestive system diseases, emotional and mental diseases, memory-related diseases, arthritis or rheumatic diseases, and asthma. The economic burden of disease was measured in terms of both direct and indirect economic burden, with the results adjusted using a healthcare-specific Consumer Price Index (CPI). The direct economic burden included direct medical and non-medical burden. The human capital method was employed to calculate the indirect economic burden. A generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) was conducted to compare the differences in the economic burden between urban and rural areas, with provinces and prefecture-level cities set as random effects and residence (urban or rural areas) as fixed effects to control for the effects of geographic hierarchical structure. Gender, age and educational attainment were also included as covariates to control for confounding factors. The model′s robustness was assessed by comparing the significance of urban-rural differences before and after adding the covariates.Results:The median annual economic burden of the 14 chronic diseases among the middle-aged and elderly population in China ranged from 7 565 to 17 174 CNY, of which the direct economic burden ranged from 6 909 to 16 565 CNY, and the indirect burden ranged from 284 to 1 276 CNY. The direct economic burden was primarily driven by direct medical burden (83.67% to 95.01% of direct economic burden). Out-of-pocket expenses for outpatient medical burden ranged from 50% to 100%, while those for inpatient ranged from 36.30% to 61.29%. GLMM analysis revealed no statistically significant difference in the overall economic burden between urban and rural areas across diseases. However, the burden of inpatient medical burden for arthritis or rheumatism was higher in urban areas than in rural areas (5 338 vs. 3 898 CNY; LR=6.04, P=0.014). Similarly, the burden of self-treatment for hypertension was also higher in urban areas than in rural areas (324 vs. 238 CNY; LR=8.30, P=0.004). The outpatient non-medical burden for diabetes or elevated blood glucose (59 vs. 149 CNY; LR=5.99, P=0.014), stroke (0 vs. 307 CNY; LR=4.55, P=0.033), and digestive system diseases (45 vs. 107 CNY; LR=9.58, P=0.002) was lower in urban areas than rural. Conclusions:Chronic diseases cause heavy economic burden on middle-aged and elderly people in both urban and rural areas of China, with direct economic burden accounting for the majority of expenditure. The outpatient medical burden accounts for a higher proportion of out-of-pocket expenses than the inpatient.


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