ObjectiveTo analyze the epidemiological characteristics of long COVID and to investigate its main influencing factors by examining individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2 between March and June 2022 in two communities in Shanghai, to lay the foundation for further research on the mechanism and clinical treatment of long COVID, and to provide the basis for the development of inexpensive, convenient, and feasible prevention and intervention strategies. MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted, enrolling 6 410 individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2. Data were collected through a questionnaire survey. The incidence and common symptoms of long COVID were analyzed, along with their associations with demographic characteristics, medical history, and behavioral factors. A logistic regression model was used to identify the major factors associated with the development of long COVID symptoms. ResultsThe overall incidence rate of long COVID among the study population was 13.9%. The most commonly reported symptoms included fatigue (65.1%), attention disorders (23.1%), and cough (16.9%). The analysis showed that having underlying chronic diseases (OR=2.580, 95%CI: 2.165‒3.074), a history of allergies (OR=1.418, 95%CI: 1.003‒1.971), current smoking (OR=1.461, 95%CI: 1.013‒2.079), ever smoking (OR=2.462, 95%CI: 1.687‒3.551), a greater number of symptoms during the acute phase [1 symptom (OR=1.778, 95%CI: 1.459‒2.162), 2 symptoms (OR=2.749, 95%CI: 2.209‒3.409), ≥3 symptoms (OR=7.792, 95%CI: 6.333‒9.593)] and aggravated symptoms during the acute phase (OR=1.082, 95%CI: 1.070‒1.094) were factors associated with a higher risk of developing long COVID symptoms. Additionally, individuals who had consumed alcohol in the past year (OR=1.914, 95%CI: 1.344‒2.684) were more prone to objective long COVID symptoms. Among individuals under 50 years of age, females (OR=1.427, 95%CI: 1.052‒1.943) were more likely to develop objective long COVID symptoms. ConclusionThis study has identified the diversity of long COVID symptoms, which involve multiple organs and systems, including fatigue, attention disorders, cough, and joint pain. It has also revealed associations between long COVID and various demographic factors (e.g., age, gender), personal medical history (e.g., underlying chronic diseases, history of allergies), acute-phase characteristics (e.g., number and severity of symptoms), and behavioral factors (e.g., smoking, alcohol consumption). These findings highlight the need for further research and ongoing surveillance of long COVID and may inform the development of more targeted health management strategies for specific populations.

The pharmaceutical industry faces challenges in quality digitization for complex multi-stage processes, especially in small-sample systems. Here, an intelligent quality prediction and diagnostic (IQPD) framework was developed and applied to Tong Ren Tang's Niuhuang Qingxin Pills, utilizing four years of data collected from four production units, covering the entire process from raw materials to finished products. In this framework, a novel path-enhanced double ensemble quality prediction model (PeDGAT) is proposed, which combines a graph attention network and path information to encode inter-unit long-range and sequential dependencies. Additionally, the double ensemble strategy enhances model stability in small samples. Compared to global traditional models, PeDGAT achieves state-of-the-art results, with an average improvement of 13.18% and 87.67% in prediction accuracy and stability on three indicators. Additionally, a more in-depth diagnostic model leveraging grey correlation analysis and expert knowledge reduces reliance on large samples, offering a panoramic view of attribute relationships across units and improving process transparency. Finally, the IQPD framework integrates into a Human-Cyber-Physical system, enabling faster decision-making and real-time quality adjustments for Tong Ren Tang's Niuhuang Qingxin Pills, a product with annual sales exceeding 100 million CNY. This facilitates the transition from experience-driven to data-driven manufacturing.

ObjectiveTo analyze the epidemiological characteristics and influencing factors of SARS-CoV-2 reinfection by conducting follow-up investigations among community residents who experienced their first SARS-CoV-2 infection between March and June 2022, so as to provide a scientific basis for predicting future epidemic trends and adjusting prevention and control strategies. MethodsA cohort study was conducted in Xuhui District, Shanghai. A total of 1 208 individuals with a documented primary SARS-CoV-2 infection between March and June 2022 were enrolled and followed-up longitudinally. Data were collected using structured questionnaire surveys to assess the reinfection rate, incidence density, and clinical manifestations of SARS-CoV-2 reinfection. A logistic regression model was used to analyze the influencing factors of SARS-CoV-2 reinfection. ResultsA total of 497 SARS-CoV-2 reinfection cases were observed among the 1 208 research subjects, with a reinfection rate of 41.14% and an incidence density of 0.63 cases per 1 000 person-days. The cumulative reinfection rates at 6, 9, 12, 15, and 18 months following the initial infection were 0.08%, 15.31%, 19.04%, 33.53%, and 38.25%, respectively. Compared with the primary infection, reinfection was more likely to be symptomatic, with a greater severity of fever, dry cough, sore throat, and runny nose. Being female, younger age, and symptom duration ≥7 days during the primary infection were identified as influencing factors for SARS-CoV-2 reinfection, while a higher socioeconomic status can reduce the risk of SARS-CoV-2 reinfection. ConclusionSARS-CoV-2 reinfection is relatively common and often symptomatic. Age, gender, income level, and the duration of symptoms during the primary infection are identified as infuencing factors for SARS-CoV-2 reinfection. Continuous monitoring of reinfection in the population is recommended, along with the development of effective strategies to mitigate the impact of reinfection.

Objective:To investigate the value of implantable cardiac monitor (ICM) in the diagnosis and treatment of patients over 60 years old with unexplained syncope.Methods:This was a multi-center, prospective cohort study. Between June 2018 and April 2021, patients over the age of 60 with unexplained syncope at Beijing Hospital, Fuwai Hospital, Beijing Anzhen Hospital and Puren Hospital were enrolled. Patients were divided into 2 groups based on their decision to receive ICM implantation (implantation group and conventional follow-up group). The endpoint was the recurrence of syncope and cardiogenic syncope as determined by positive cardiac arrhythmia events recorded at the ICM or diagnosed during routine follow-up. Kaplan‐Meier survival analysis was used to compare the differences of cumulative diagnostic rate between the 2 groups. A multivariate Cox regression analysis was performed to determine independent predictors of diagnosis of cardiogenic syncope in patients with unexplained syncope.Results:A total of 198 patients with unexplained syncope, aged (72.9±8.25) years, were followed for 558.0 (296.0,877.0) d, including 98 males (49.5%). There were 100 (50.5%) patients in the implantation group and 98 (49.5%) in the conventional follow-up group. Compared with conventional follow-up group, patients in the implantation group were older, more likely to have comorbidities, had a higher proportion of first degree atrioventricular block indicated by baseline electrocardiogram, and had a lower body mass index (all P<0.05). During the follow-up period, positive cardiac arrhythmia events were recorded in 58 (58.0%) patients in the ICM group. The diagnosis rate (42.0% (42/100) vs. 4.1% (4/98), P<0.001) and the intervention rate (37.0% (37/100) vs. 2.0% (2/98), P<0.001) of cardiogenic syncope in the implantation group were higher than those in the conventional follow-up group (all P<0.001). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the cumulative diagnostic rate of cardiogenic syncope was significantly higher in the implantation group than in the traditional follow-up group ( HR=11.66, 95% CI 6.49-20.98, log-rank P<0.001). Multivariate analysis indicated that ICM implantation, previous atrial fibrillation, diabetes mellitus or first degree atrioventricular block in baseline electrocardiogram were independent predictors for cardiogenic syncope (all P<0.05). Conclusions:ICM implantation improves the diagnosis and intervention rates in patients with unexplained syncope, and increases diagnostic efficiency in patients with unexplained syncope.

Objective To investigate the prognostic value of atherogenic index of plasma(AIP)for the occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events(MACE)in elderly patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction(STEMI).Methods A total of 355 elderly patients with acute STEMI who received coronary interventional therapy in Department of Cardiology,Affilia-ted Hospital of Hebei University from January to May 2023 were recruited retrospectively,and fi-nally 343 of them with complete telephone follow-up data were included in this study.According to their AIP quartile level,they were divided into A1 group(＜0.212,84 cases),A2 group(0.212-0.339,87 cases),A3 group(0.339-0.434,86 cases)and A4 group(≥0.434,86 cases).The incidences of cardiac death,nonfatal myocardial infarction,ischemia-driven target vessel re-modeling and heart failure re-hospitalization were observed during 1-year follow-up.Kaplan-Meier survival curve was plotted to compare the incidence of MACE in the 4 groups.ROC curve analysis was employed to determine the predictive value of AIP.Results During 1-year follow-up,signifi-cant differences were observed in the proportions of ischemia-driven target vessel revasculariza-tion,heart failure re-hospitalization and non-fatal acute myocardial infarction among the 4 groups(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),and such difference was also seen in the cumulative survival rate among them(log rankx2=8.528,P=0.036).Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis showed that gender,hypertension,atrial fibrillation,multi-vessel disease,left main artery disease,number of stents,SYNTAX score,Killip grade,BNP,HbA1c,TC,LDL-C and HDL-C levels,and AIP were independent predictors of MACE.The AUC value of AIP in predicting MACE in elderly patients with acute STEMI was 0.855(95％CI:0.776-0.933),with a sensitivity of 66.7％and a specificity of 93.0％.When the above indicators combined together,the AUC value was 0.907(95％CI:0.954-0.987),and the sensitivity and specificity was 100.0％and 90.7％,respectively.The AUC value of combined prediction was significantly better than that of single indicator(P＜0.05).Conclusion AIP is a powerful biomarker,and can be used to predict the prognosis of elderly acute STEMI after coronary interventional therapy,and it combined with Killip grade,SYNTAX score,HbA1c,and number of stents shows better predictive efficacy.

BACKGROUND:In recent years,with the development of biological scaffold materials and bioprinting technology,tissue-engineered bone has become a research hotspot in bone defect repair. OBJECTIVE:To summarize the current treatment methods for bone defects,summarize the biomaterials and bioprinting technology for preparing tissue-engineered bone scaffolds,and explore the application of biomaterials and printing technology in tissue engineering and the current challenges. METHODS:Search terms were"bone defect,tissue engineering,biomaterials,3D printing technology,4D printing technology,bioprinting,biological scaffold,bone repair"in Chinese and English.Relevant documents published from January 1,2009 to December 1,2022 were retrieved on CNKI,PubMed and Web of Science databases.After being screened by the first author,high-quality references were added.A total of 93 articles were included for review. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The main treatment methods for bone defects include bone transplantation,membrane-guided regeneration,gene therapy,bone tissue engineering,etc.The best treatment method is still uncertain.Bone tissue engineering technology is a new technology for the treatment of bone defects.It has become the focus of current research by constructing three-dimensional structures that can promote the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts and enhance the ability of bone formation.Biological scaffold materials are diverse,with their characteristics,advantages and disadvantages.A single biological material cannot meet the demand for tissue-engineered bone for the scaffold.Usually,multiple materials are combined to complement each other,which is to meet the demand for mechanical properties while taking into account the biological properties of the scaffold.Bioprinting technology can adjust the pore of the scaffold,build a complex spatial structure,and is more conducive to cell adhesion,proliferation and differentiation.The emerging 4D printing technology introduces"time"as the fourth dimension to make the prepared scaffold dynamic.With the synchronous development of smart materials,4D printing technology provides the possibility of efficient repair of bone defects in the future.

Objective:To explore the benefits of speech training for young persons with tongue cancer after 125Ⅰ radioactive seed implantation. Methods:Fifty young persons bearing a 125Ⅰ radioactive seed implanted to treat tongue cancer were given up to 40min of daily tongue function training beginning on the second day after the operation. Abnormal sounds were corrected in the seven days before their discharge. An online platform assisted further training in the family combined with biofeedback. Daily 20-30 minute sessions were prescribed. Time domain waveforms, speech spectra and energy waterfalls were recorded from the 50 subjects before the experiment and after 1 week of the speech training. Intelligibility (PI) was quantified before the operation and the speech training, and then 1, 2, 4 and 6 months after discharge. Results:After 1 week of speech training abnormal waveforms had disappeared from the time domain waveform diagram. Fricative disturbance areas in the speech spectrum diagram had improved significantly, and the energy distribution in the energy waterfall diagram was balanced, showing a trend typical of normal speech fluctuation. The average PI before the operation (39.92±8.46) increased to (40.32±8.79) before the speech training and to (42.78±8.24) one month after discharge. It then continued to improve to (72.32±5.55) 6 months after discharge.Conclusion:Speech training can significantly improve the speech intelligibility of patients with tongue cancer after 125Ⅰ radioactive seed implantation.

Grape (Vitis vinifera L.) in production is frequently exposed to inadequate light, which significantly affects its agronomic traits via inhibiting their physiological, metabolic and developmental processes. To explore the mechanism how the grape plants respond to the weak light stress, we used 'Yinhong' grape and examined their physiology-biochemistry characteristics and transcriptional profile under different levels of weak light stress. The results showed that grape seedlings upon low intensity shading treatments were not significantly affected. As the shading stress intensity was strengthened, the epidermis cells, palisade tissue, and spongy tissue in the leaves were thinner, the intercellular space between the palisade tissue and spongy tissue was larger compared with that of the control, and the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and peroxidase were decreased gradually. Additionally, the soluble protein content increased and the free proline content decreased gradually. Compared with the control, significant changes in plant photosynthetic characteristics and physiology-biochemistry characteristics were observed under high intensity of shading (80%). RNA-seq data showed that the differentially expressed genes between CK and T2, CK and T4, T2 and T4 were 13 913, 13 293 and 14 943, respectively. Most of the enrichment pathways were closely related with the plant's response to stress. Several signaling pathways in response to stress-resistance, e.g. JA/MYC2 pathway and MAPK signal pathway, were activated under weak light stress. The expression level of a variety of genes related to antioxidation (such as polyphenol oxidase and thioredoxin), photosynthesis (such as phytochrome) was altered under weak light stress, indicating that 'Yinhong' grape may activate the antioxidation related pathways to cope with reactive oxygen species (ROS). In addition, it may activate the expression of photosynthetic pigment and light reaction structural protein to maintain the photosynthesis activity. This research may help better understand the relevant physiological response mechanism and facilitate cultivation of grape seedlings under weak light.
Vitis/metabolism* ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Photosynthesis/genetics* ; Plant Leaves ; Light ; Seedlings/metabolism*

Humans ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; Smoke/adverse effects* ; Tobacco ; Tobacco Smoke Pollution

Objective:To investigate the clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of Kawasaki disease (KD) complicated with acute abdomen in children.Methods:Clinical manifestations, laboratory examinations, abdominal B-ultrasound scans, abdominal plain films, abdominal CT findings, coronary artery lesions and prognosis of 16 children with KD and acute abdomen admitted to Guangzhou Women and Children′s Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University from August 1, 2015 to July 31, 2019 were retrospectively analyzed.The measurement data of age, leukocyte, hemoglobin, platelet and biochemical indexes are expressed by M (range). Results:A total of 16 cases were included, involving 7 males and 9 females aged 4 years and 8 months (7 months to 8 years). Among them, 9 cases of KD complicated with cholecystitis, 5 cases with intestinal obstruction, 2 cases with acute appendicitis, 2 cases with necrotizing enterocolitis, 2 cases with acute peritonitis and 1 case with acute pancreatitis.There were 3 cases complica-ted with 2 or more kinds of acute abdomen diseases.All 16 patients had symptoms of abdominal pain, 7 cases had vomiting, 4 cases had obvious abdominal distension and 1 case had bloody stool.Abdominal B-ultrasound was performed in all cases, and 8 cases showed enlargement of gallbladder and edema and thickening of gallbladder wall, 2 cases of appendicitis, 2 cases of intestinal obstruction and 1 case of pancreatic enlargement.Abdominal plain film examination was performed in 8 cases, suggesting necrotizing enterocolitis in 2 cases and intestinal obstruction in 2 cases.Abdominal CT examination was performed in 3 cases, including edema of gallbladder wall in 1 case, peritonitis in 1 case, intestinal obstruction in 2 cases and enlargement of pancreas in 1 case.All the 16 cases were treated with pulsed intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) at 2 g/kg and antiplatelet agents.Eight IVIG-resistant cases were treated with the second dose of IVIG at 2 g/kg, among whom, 4 children still had fever and intravenous Methylprednisone was given.Two cases underwent enterostomy and abdominal puncture drainage.All the 16 children were followed up until 6 months after discharge, and 4 cases (25%) were complicated with coronary artery aneurysm (CAA) during the acute stage or follow-up period.Conclusions:KD complicated with acute abdomen is more commonly manifested as cholecystitis and intestinal obstruction.Besides the classic symptoms of KD, abdominal pain and vomiting are the most common in KD with acute abdomen.Abdominal ultrasound, plain film and CT examinations are conductive to the early diagnosis of KD complicated with acute abdomen.In addition, the incidence of IVIG-resistance and CAA is relatively high in children with KD complicated with acute abdomen.