Objective To investigate the relationship between tooth loss and the occurrence of esophageal cancer in a natural village in Wenfeng District, Anyang City, Henan Province. Methods A prospective cohort study was conducted to observe the occurrence of tooth loss and esophageal cancer among the asymptomatic residents of the natural village for 16 years from January 2008 to July 2024. Data were analyzed by chi-square test, binary logistic regression, and restricted cubic spline. Results Among the total population of 711 cases, 136 cases were lost to follow-up and 575 cases were included in the final statistics, including 45 cases with esophageal cancer. Significant statistical difference was found between esophageal cancer patients with and without tooth loss (P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that tooth loss was associated with the occurrence of esophageal cancer (OR=3.977, 95%CI: 1.543-10.255). After the adjustment for confounders, tooth loss remained significantly associated with the occurrence of esophageal cancer (OR=3.038, 95%CI: 1.035-8.914). A nonlinear dose-response relationship was observed between the number of teeth lost and the incidence of esophageal cancer. When the number of teeth lost was less than 12, the risk of esophageal cancer increased with the number of teeth lost. When more than 12 teeth were lost, the risk of esophageal cancer decreased as the number of teeth lost increased. Conclusion Tooth loss is a risk factor for the occurrence of esophageal cancer in this natural village. When the number of teeth lost is less than 12, the risk of esophageal cancer increases with the number of teeth lost.

Objective To investigatethe relationship between gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms and clinicopathological characteristics, p53 expression, and survival of Chinese patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma. Methods A total of 3882 patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma, 970 matched patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, and 970 matched patients with gastric cardia adenocarcinoma were included to compare the incidence of GERD symptoms. Patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma were divided into two groups according to the presence and absence of GERD symptoms. The differences in clinicopathological characteristics and p53 expression between the two groups were compared by chi-square test, and the differences in survival between the two groups were compared by landmark analysis. Results The incidence of GERD symptoms increased successively in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, esophageal adenocarcinoma, and gastric cardia adenocarcinoma. In patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma, the proportions of male, less than 65 years old, lower thoracic tumors, tumors without squamous cell carcinoma, poorly differentiation, early tumors (stage 0-I), and p53-positive tumors in the group with GERD symptoms were higher than those in the group without GERD symptoms; moreover, the long-term survival (≥15 years) was better. Conclusion GERD symptom is an important clinical sign of esophageal adenocarcinoma. It is closely related to specific clinicopathological characteristics, p53 overexpression, and good long-term prognosis.

OBJECTIVE To analyze the clinical characteristics and pathogens for mixed infections in children with pertussis,so as to references for clinical diagnosis and treatment.METHODS A retrospective analysis was conduc-ted on the clinical data of 350 children diagnosed with pertussis and hospitalized in Wuhan Children's Hospital from Jan.2022 to Dec.2023.The clinical characteristics,peak white blood cell count,peak lymphocyte ratio,high-sensitivity C-reactive protein or C-reactive protein,procalcitonin and complications were compared between different age groups,as well as between the single infection group and the mixed infection group.RESULTS Mixed infections were observed in 291 children(83.14％),predominantly viral(63.43％,222/350),with human rhinovirus/enterovirus being the most common(32.57％,114/350).For children aged＜6 months,6 months to＜1 year and 1 to＜3 years,the incidence of family contact history of cough,panting,hasty breathing,respira-tory failure,peak white blood cell count and peak lymphocyte ratio were all higher than those aged 3 to＜6 years and≥6years(all P＜0.05).The incidence of post-cough vomiting was higher in children aged 6 months to＜1 year and 1 to＜3 years compared to other age groups(P＜0.05).The length of hospital stay decreased with in-creasing age(P＜0.05).The proportions of children with paroxysmal spasmodic cough,post-cough cyanosis,post-cough flushing,coughing spells,inspiratory three concave sign,pneumonia and pulmonary phlegm rales all generally decreased with age(all P＜0.05).Nodding respiration was only observed in children aged＜1 year(P＜0.05).The incidence of fever,co-infection with bacteria and Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection was higher in children aged 6 months to＜1 year,1 to＜3 years,3 to＜6 years and ≥ 6 years compared to those aged＜6 months(all P＜0.05).The incidence of fever was higher in the mixed infection group than that in the single in-fection group(P＜0.05).Children in the single infection group had longer hospital stays,higher incidence of par-oxysmal spasmodic cough,nocturnal cough,post-cough flushing,coughing spells,pulmonary phlegm rales and higher peak lymphocyte ratio(all P＜0.05).The incidence of paroxysmal spasmodic cough was higher in the sin-gle infection group for children aged＜3 months(P＜0.05).CONCLUSIONS The younger children with pertussis have a higher proportion of family contact history of cough and are more prone to clinical manifestations such as paroxysmal spasmodic cough,post-cough vomiting,post-cough cyanosis,and pneumonia.They also have higher peak white blood cell counts,peak lymphocyte ratios and longer hospital stays.As children'age increased,the in-cidence of fever,bacterial,and mycoplasma infections also increased.The types of pathogens in mixed infections varies with patients' age and pertussis mixed infections may mask typical clinical symptoms.

Objective To explore the factors affecting the coefficient of variation(CV)of glucose in type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)patients based on real-time dynamic glucose monitoring system.Methods A total of 354 patients with T2DM hospitalized in the Department of Endocrinology of Jiangsu Shengze Hospital were enrolled in this study from March 2023 to March 2024 and divided into two groups:the glycemic variability(GV,CV>36%)group(n=118)and the glucose stable(GS,CV≤36%)group(n=236).The clinical data of the two groups were compared,and the influencing factors for CV>36%were analyzed.Results The DM duration and HbA1c were higher(P<0.05),while BMI,visceral fat area,subcutaneous fat area(SFA),FC-P,serum uric acid(SUA),and TG were lower in the GV group than in the GS group(P<0.05).Spearman correlation analysis showed that CV was positively correlated with diabetes duration and HbA1c(P<0.05),and negatively correlated with FC-P,SFA and SUA(P<0.05).Logistic regression analysis showed that DM duration,HbA1c,SFA,FC-P and SUA were the influencing factors for GV.Scatter plot analysis showed that there was a linear trend between CV level and log HbA1c and log SFA in T2DM patients.CV level increased with the increase of log HbA1c,and decreased with the increase of log SFA.ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve(AUC)of FC-P was 0.703(95%CI:0.640～0.765,P<0.001)for predicting GV in T2DM patients,and the cut-off value was 1.095 ng/ml.The AUC of SUA was 0.622(95%CI:0.555～0.688,P<0.001)for predicting GV,and the cut-off value was 280.5 μmol/L.Conclusions The DM duration,HbA1c,SFA,FC-P and SUA are important factors for GV,and FC-P and SUA have predictive value for GV.

Objective To describe the clinical features of patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis(PSC)in China based on a nationwide multicenter patient cohort,and to investigate the risk factors for prognosis.Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted among the patients with a confirmed diagnosis of PSC based on the electronic medical record system of seven grade A tertiary hospitals across the country,and related data were extracted.The Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of continuous data between groups,and the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups.The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate liver transplant-free survival,and the log-rank test was used for comparison of survival rate between PSC patients with different features.The Cox regression model was used to identify independent risk factors for the prognosis of PSC patients and the interactions between key factors.Results A total of 107 patients were enrolled,among whom 55.6%(55/99)had large-duct PSC and 29.0%(31/107)had comorbidity with inflammatory bowel disease(IBD).The positivity rate of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody(ANCA)was 32.9%(24/73),and 50.0%(40/80)of the patients had an increase in IgG/IgM.The median symptom-to-diagnosis interval was 1 year(<1-4.0),and 38.3%(41/107)of the patients had progressed to decompensated cirrhosis at the time of diagnosis.The median liver transplant-free survival time was 114 months(95%confidence interval[CI]:62-166),with a 5-year survival rate of 65.7%.The multivariate analysis showed that an increase in total bile acid(TBA)(hazard ratio[HR]=1.006,95%CI:1.002-1.010,P=0.001)and a prolonged symptom-to-diagnosis interval(HR=1.252,95%CI:1.059-1.480,P=0.009)were independent risk factors for prognosis.The interaction analysis showed that compared with the female patients with TBA<50 μmol/L,both male and female patients with TBA≥50 μmol/L had a significant increase in the risk of liver transplantation or death(male:HR=16.563,95%CI:2.103-130.449,P<0.001;female:HR=17.009,95%CI:2.113-136.934,P<0.001),and compared with the patients with an age of<45 years and a TBA level of<50 μmol/L,the patients with an age of≥45 years and a TBA level of≥50 μmol/L had a significant increase in the risk of liver transplantation or death(HR=10.729,95%CI:1.325-86.859,P=0.026).Compared with the female patients with an symptom-to-diagnosis interval of≤2 years,the male patients with a symptom-to-diagnosis interval of>2 years had an increased risk of liver transplantation or death(HR=4.825,95%CI:1.725-13.644,P=0.003),and compared with the patients with an age of<45 years and a symptom-to-diagnosis interval of≤2 years,the patients with an age of<45 years and a symptom-to-diagnosis interval of>2 years had an increased risk of liver transplantation or death(HR=4.983,95%CI:1.366-18.173,P=0.015).Conclusion Compared with the reports from Western countries,large-duct PSC is also the main type of PSC in China,but with a relatively low proportion,and there is also a relatively low proportion of patients with IBD or positive ANCA.An increase in TBA and a prolonged symptom-to-diagnosis interval are independent risk factors for prognosis,with significant interactions with age and sex.This suggests that early screening and intervention should be enhanced to improve prognosis.

Objective:To systematically evaluate the unmet needs and challenges of caregivers of cancer patients at home and clarify their unmet needs.Methods:A computerized search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, ProQuest, Scopus, CINAHL, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data, VIP, and China Biology Medicine disc for qualitative studies on the unmet needs and challenges of caregivers of cancer patients in the home environment. The search time limit was from the establishment of the databases to April 30, 2024. The Joanna Briggs Institute Centre for Evidence-Based Healthcare's quality assessment criteria for qualitative research were used to evaluate the quality of the literatures, and the aggregative integration method was used to summarize and integrate the research results.Results:A total of 17 articles were finally included, which were summarized into eight new categories. Further synthesis yielded three integrated results: caregivers in the home environment face multi-dimensional unmet needs and challenges related to patients; caregivers in the home environment face challenges and unmet needs in self-care; caregivers in the home environment are hesitant to obtain external support, and continuity and sustainability are hindered.Conclusions:Medical staff should accurately assess the unmet needs of caregivers of cancer patients at home, pay attention to their negative experiences, promote positive coping, optimize the patient-and family-centered cancer care model, and strengthen social support.

OBJECTIVE To analyze the clinical characteristics and pathogens for mixed infections in children with pertussis,so as to references for clinical diagnosis and treatment.METHODS A retrospective analysis was conduc-ted on the clinical data of 350 children diagnosed with pertussis and hospitalized in Wuhan Children's Hospital from Jan.2022 to Dec.2023.The clinical characteristics,peak white blood cell count,peak lymphocyte ratio,high-sensitivity C-reactive protein or C-reactive protein,procalcitonin and complications were compared between different age groups,as well as between the single infection group and the mixed infection group.RESULTS Mixed infections were observed in 291 children(83.14％),predominantly viral(63.43％,222/350),with human rhinovirus/enterovirus being the most common(32.57％,114/350).For children aged＜6 months,6 months to＜1 year and 1 to＜3 years,the incidence of family contact history of cough,panting,hasty breathing,respira-tory failure,peak white blood cell count and peak lymphocyte ratio were all higher than those aged 3 to＜6 years and≥6years(all P＜0.05).The incidence of post-cough vomiting was higher in children aged 6 months to＜1 year and 1 to＜3 years compared to other age groups(P＜0.05).The length of hospital stay decreased with in-creasing age(P＜0.05).The proportions of children with paroxysmal spasmodic cough,post-cough cyanosis,post-cough flushing,coughing spells,inspiratory three concave sign,pneumonia and pulmonary phlegm rales all generally decreased with age(all P＜0.05).Nodding respiration was only observed in children aged＜1 year(P＜0.05).The incidence of fever,co-infection with bacteria and Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection was higher in children aged 6 months to＜1 year,1 to＜3 years,3 to＜6 years and ≥ 6 years compared to those aged＜6 months(all P＜0.05).The incidence of fever was higher in the mixed infection group than that in the single in-fection group(P＜0.05).Children in the single infection group had longer hospital stays,higher incidence of par-oxysmal spasmodic cough,nocturnal cough,post-cough flushing,coughing spells,pulmonary phlegm rales and higher peak lymphocyte ratio(all P＜0.05).The incidence of paroxysmal spasmodic cough was higher in the sin-gle infection group for children aged＜3 months(P＜0.05).CONCLUSIONS The younger children with pertussis have a higher proportion of family contact history of cough and are more prone to clinical manifestations such as paroxysmal spasmodic cough,post-cough vomiting,post-cough cyanosis,and pneumonia.They also have higher peak white blood cell counts,peak lymphocyte ratios and longer hospital stays.As children'age increased,the in-cidence of fever,bacterial,and mycoplasma infections also increased.The types of pathogens in mixed infections varies with patients' age and pertussis mixed infections may mask typical clinical symptoms.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an intelligent handheld ultrasound (US) device for assisting non-expert general practitioners (GPs) in detecting carotid plaques (CPs) in community populations. Methods: This prospective parallel controlled trial recruited 111 consecutive community residents. All of them underwent examinations by non-expert GPs and specialist doctors using handheld US devices (setting A, setting B, and setting C). The results of setting C with specialist doctors were considered the gold standard. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and the features of CPs were measured and recorded. The diagnostic performance of GPs in distinguishing CPs was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Inter-observer agreement was compared using the intragroup correlation coefficient (ICC). Questionnaires were completed to evaluate clinical benefits. Results: Among the 111 community residents, 80, 96, and 112 CPs were detected in settings A, B, and C, respectively. Setting B exhibited better diagnostic performance than setting A for detecting CPs (area under the curve, 0.856 vs. 0.749; P<0.01). Setting B had better consistency with setting C than setting A in CIMT measurement and the assessment of CPs (ICC, 0.731 to 0.923). Moreover, measurements in setting B required less time than the other two settings (44.59 seconds vs. 108.87 seconds vs. 126.13 seconds, both P<0.01). Conclusion Using an intelligent handheld US device, GPs can perform CP screening and achieve a diagnostic capability comparable to that of specialist doctors.

The ventral anterior (VA) nucleus of the thalamus is a major target of the basal ganglia and is closely associated with the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). Notably, the VA receives direct innervation from the hypothalamic histaminergic system. However, its role in PD remains unknown. Here, we assessed the contribution of histamine to VA neuronal activity and PD motor deficits. Functional magnetic resonance imaging showed reduced VA activity in PD patients. Optogenetic activation of VA neurons or histaminergic afferents significantly alleviated motor deficits in 6-OHDA-induced PD rats. Furthermore, histamine excited VA neurons via H1 and H2 receptors and their coupled hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated channels, inward-rectifier K⁺ channels, or Ca²⁺-activated K⁺ channels. These results demonstrate that histaminergic afferents actively compensate for Parkinsonian motor deficits by biasing VA activity. These findings suggest that targeting VA histamine receptors and downstream ion channels may be a potential therapeutic strategy for PD motor dysfunction.
Animals ; Histamine/metabolism* ; Male ; Oxidopamine/toxicity* ; Rats ; Ventral Thalamic Nuclei/physiopathology* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Disease Models, Animal ; Parkinson Disease/metabolism* ; Neurons/physiology* ; Humans ; Optogenetics

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an intelligent handheld ultrasound (US) device for assisting non-expert general practitioners (GPs) in detecting carotid plaques (CPs) in community populations. Methods: This prospective parallel controlled trial recruited 111 consecutive community residents. All of them underwent examinations by non-expert GPs and specialist doctors using handheld US devices (setting A, setting B, and setting C). The results of setting C with specialist doctors were considered the gold standard. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and the features of CPs were measured and recorded. The diagnostic performance of GPs in distinguishing CPs was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Inter-observer agreement was compared using the intragroup correlation coefficient (ICC). Questionnaires were completed to evaluate clinical benefits. Results: Among the 111 community residents, 80, 96, and 112 CPs were detected in settings A, B, and C, respectively. Setting B exhibited better diagnostic performance than setting A for detecting CPs (area under the curve, 0.856 vs. 0.749; P<0.01). Setting B had better consistency with setting C than setting A in CIMT measurement and the assessment of CPs (ICC, 0.731 to 0.923). Moreover, measurements in setting B required less time than the other two settings (44.59 seconds vs. 108.87 seconds vs. 126.13 seconds, both P<0.01). Conclusion Using an intelligent handheld US device, GPs can perform CP screening and achieve a diagnostic capability comparable to that of specialist doctors.