Objective To explore the predictive value of peripheral blood cells in the efficacy of neoadjuvant immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Methods A retrospective study was conducted on patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (clinical stages Ⅱ-Ⅳa) who underwent neoadjuvant immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy at the Department of Thoracic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College from April 2020 to November 2023. According to whether the pathology was completely relieved after treatment, patients were divided into a pathological complete remission group and a pathological incomplete remission group. The College of American Pathologists criteria were used to evaluate the tumor pathological regression grade (TRG) after neoadjuvant therapy (TRG=0, 1 defined as a good efficacy group, TRG=2, 3 defined as a poor efficacy group). Results A total of 92 patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma were collected, including 72 males and 20 females. The average age was (65.86±7.66) years. The complete remission of pathology was closely related to the number of lymphocytes in the blood before treatment (P=0.019). The area under the curve (AUC) for predicting complete remission of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma after neoadjuvant immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy was 0.678, the maximum Youden index was 0.328, and the optimal cutoff value was 1.845. The incidence of postoperative pulmonary infection in the pathological incomplete remission group was higher than that in the pathological complete remission group (25.0% vs. 5.6%, P=0.030). Using the optimal cutoff value, there were statistically significant differences in pathological N stage and pathological TNM stage between patients with lymphocyte counts <1.845×109/L and ≥1.845×109/L (P<0.05). Treatment response (by TRG) was significantly associated with the pretreatment red blood cell count (P=0.009). The AUC for predicting a good TRG response was 0.669, with a maximum Youden index of 0.385 and an optimal cutoff value of 4.235. Between the good and poor response groups, there were statistically significant differences in postoperative pathological T stage (P<0.001), N stage (P=0.041), and TNM stage (P＜0.001). When stratified by the optimal cutoff value, there were statistically significant differences in age (P＜0.001) and the prevalence of hypertension (P=0.022) between patients with red blood cell counts <4.235×1012/L and ≥4.235×1012/L. Conclusion A pretreatment absolute lymphocyte count ≥1.845×109/L and a red blood cell count <4.235×1012/L are good predictors for pathological complete response and a good pathological response, respectively, following neoadjuvant immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

ObjectiveTo analyze the epidemiological characteristics of a local dengue fever cluster outbreak in Qingpu District of Shanghai in 2024, and to provide a reference for subsequent dengue fever prevention and control. MethodsSeven confirmed local dengue fever cases reported through the National Notifiable Infectious Diseases Surveillance System in Qingpu District of Shanghai in 2024 were selected as the research subjects. Descriptive epidemiological methods were used to conduct investigation and analysis from the aspects of onset, medical treatment and reporting, clinical symptoms, travel and contact history within 15 days before onset, and activity trajectories. ResultsA total of 7 cases were identified in this outbreak. None of the cases had a travel history to dengue-endemic areas within 15 days prior to onset, while all had shared exposure environments and mosquito bite histories, indicating a local clustered transmission pattern. The main clinical manifestations included fever (100.00%) and myalgia (42.86%). All 7 cases were positive for dengue virus serotype 2 (DENV-2) by nucleic acid testing. Genetic sequencing showed that the virus strains belonged to the Cosmopolitan genotype and were most closely related to the epidemic DENV strains circulating in southern China in recent years. ConclusionThis outbreak might be a local secondary infection caused by the short-term stay of dengue fever-infected individuals, and the possible source of importation was dengue fever endemic areas in southern China.

Objective To observe the expressions of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain receptor 1(NOD1)and its mediated RIP2/NF-κB signaling pathway-related proteins and autophagy-related proteins in cerebral cortex of rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury(CIRI);To explore the possible mechanism of eye acupuncture alleviating CIRI.Methods SPF-grade male Wistar rats were randomly divided into blank control group(12 rats),sham-operation group(12 rats)and modeling group(36 rats).A CIRI model was established by improved suture method.The rats in the modeling group were randomly divided into the model group,eyeacupuncture group,outside the acupoint area group,with 12 rats in each group.Neurological deficits in rats were evaluated by Longa score,TTC staining was used to observe the cerebral infarction,HE staining was used to observe the morphology of ischemic brain tissue,electron microscopy was used to observe the formation of autophagosome in ischemic brain tissue,RT-qPCR was used to detect the mRNA expressions of NOD1,receptor interacting protein 2(RIP2),nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB)p65 in ischemic cerebral cortex,Western blot was used to detect the expressions of NOD1,RIP2,NF-κB p65 and autophagy related proteins in ischemic cerebral cortex.Results Compared with the sham-operation group,the neurological deficit score of rats in the model group significantly increased(P<0.01),the infarct volume significantly increased(P<0.01),the typical cribriform infarct foci and multiple autophagosomes appeared in the ischemic brain tissue,the mRNA expressions of NOD1,RIP2 and NF-κB p65 in ischemic cerebral cortex significantly increased(P<0.01),the protein expressions of NOD1,RIP2,p-NF-κB p65,Beclin1,LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ and ATG5 significantly increased(P<0.01),and the protein expression of p62 significantly decreased(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the neurological deficit score in eye acupuncture group significantly decreased(P<0.01),the cerebral infarction volume significantly decreased(P<0.01),the area of cribriform reticular infarct and the number of autophagosomes in ischemic brain tissue significantly decreased,the mRNA expressions of NOD1,RIP2 and NF-κB p65 in ischemic cerebral cortex significantly decreased(P<0.01),the protein expressions of NOD1,RIP2,p-NF-κB p65,Beclin1,LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ and ATG5 significantly decreased(P<0.01),and the protein expression of p62 significantly increased(P<0.01).There was no statistical significance compared with outside the acupoint area group.Conclusion Eye acupuncture can attenuat the injury of neurons in CIRI rats,and its mechanism may be related to inhibiting the activation of RIP2/NF-κB signaling pathway mediated by NOD1,thereby reducing autophagy of neurons.

Objective:To identify different subtypes of patients with preeclampsia(PE)through clinical liver function index data-driven the cluster analysis,to explore the correlation between liver function of different sub-types and pregnancy complications.Methods:From January 2012 to December 2022,the general data of 2230 sin-gleton pregnant women with PE who underwent prenatal examination and delivered in Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital were collected.Using 13 liver function indexes before delivery as baseline variables,all included subjects were classified into subtypes by cluster method.The clinical characteristics of different subtypes of PE patients were compared.Single-factor Logistic regression was used to analyze the risk of pregnancy complications among subtypes.Results:PE patients were divided into 3 subgroups that represented different characteristics of patients' liver function.The first subtype(n=1065)exhibited abnormal liver enzymology index characterized by in-creased alkaline phosphatase(ALP)level.The second subtype(n=648)showed abnormal bilirubin metabolism index with the highest levels of total bilirubin(TBIL),direct(DBIL)and indirect bilirubin(IBIL).The third subtype(n=517)had abnormal liver enzymology indexes with elevated alanine aminotransferase(ALT)and aspartate aminotransferase(AST)levels,abnormal bile acid detection indexes with elevated total bile acid(TBA)levels,and abnormal liver synthesis function indexes with decreased total protein(TP),albumin(ALB),and globulin lev-els(GLB).Significant differences were observed among the three subtypes in age,severe PE,anemia,cardiac dysfunction,and renal dysfunction(P＜0.05).Single-factor Logistic regression demonstrated that the third sub-type had significantly higher risks of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy,fetal growth restriction,premature rup-ture of membranes,and preterm birth compared to the first and second subtypes(P＜0.05),as well as a higher risk of placental abruption than the second subtype(P＜0.05).The first subtype had higher risks of placental ab-ruption and fetal growth restriction than the second subtype(P＜0.05).Conclusions:Cluster analysis could be used to subclassify PE patients by liver function characteristics,so as to identify the occurrence of pregnancy complications.The results had significance for understanding the heterogeneity of PE and promoting individualized management.

Disruption of normal secretion or mucociliary clearance can impair airway defense mechanisms and lung function, and increase the risk of infection. Airway clearance techniques are recommended as part of a comprehensive treatment plan for patients. Among these, vibratory expectoration is an important method of airway clearance, which loosens and liquefies mucus and metabolites on the surface of the respiratory tract through chest wall oscillation, promoting ciliary movement to facilitate sputum expulsion. However, commonly used handheld vibrating head devices and vest-type vibration expectorators have several limitations in clinical practice, such as inconvenience of operation, limited treatment time, poor adaptability, and difficulty in disinfection. To address these issues, the research team from the department of critical care medicine at Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, has designed a novel belt-type vibration expectorator, which has been granted a national utility model patent (Patent No.: ZL 2023 2 1610983.1). The device is mainly composed of a chest strap assembly, a sputum clearance component, and a fixed shoulder strap component. Several pockets are placed on the outer surface of the chest strap, with corresponding inner-side openings that allow the percussion head of the percussive expectorator placed inside the pocket to make contact with the patient's chest wall. Each pocket has markings indicating the percussion position, enabling the placement of the percussive expectorator according to the location of infection, thereby achieving multi-point, precise percussive vibration expectoration in different body positions. On the inner side of the chest strap, there are diagrams illustrating postural drainage, providing guidance on the body positions patients should assume based on the location of infection. The hook-and-loop fasteners on both sides of the chest strap can be wrapped around and secured according to the patient's body shape, ensuring that the sputum clearance components adhere tightly to the chest wall, allowing the vibrations generated by percussion to be effectively transmitted to the patient's airways. Additionally, to prevent the chest strap from slipping due to changes in the patient's position, a Y-shaped fixing strap can be selectively attached to the chest strap for further stabilization. This innovation not only simplifies the operation process, improves convenience and flexibility of use, but also supports the principle of "disinfection after each use by one person," which helps to reduce the risk of nosocomial infections and improve the efficiency of patients' respiratory rehabilitation.
Humans ; Vibration ; Equipment Design ; Chest Wall Oscillation/instrumentation* ; Sputum ; Expectorants ; Mucociliary Clearance

Objective To investigate the application effect of postural gravity traction combined with floss and titanium clip pulley external traction in endoscopic submucosal dissection(ESD)for early intestinal lesions.Methods A total of 100 patients with early colorectal lesions admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University from January 2022 to September 2024 were selected as the research subjects and divided in-to the observation group and the control group,with 50 cases in each group.The control group underwent con-ventional intestinal ESD treatment,while the observation group used positional gravity traction combined with dental floss and titanium clips to form pulley external traction in ESD treatment.Clinical data including opera-tion time,number of submucosal injections,intraoperative blood loss,lesion resection effect,complication inci-dence,and hospital stay were compared between the two groups.Results The total operation time in the ob-servation group was shorter than that in the control group,and the total number of submucosal injections was less than that in the control group,with statistically significant differences(P<0.05).There were no signifi-cant differences in intraoperative blood loss,complete resection rate,complication incidence,en bloc resection rate,and hospital stay between the two groups(P>0.05).For lesions≤1 cm or>5 cm in size,there were no significant differences in operation time,complete resection rate and en bloc resection rate between the two groups(P>0.05).For lesions>1-3 cm or>3-5 cm in size and laterally spreading lesions,significant differences were observed in operation time,number of submucosal injections,complete resection rate,and en bloc resection rate between the two groups(P<0.05).For pedunculated polyps,there were no significant differences in the number of submucosal injections,complete resection rate and en bloc resection rate between the two groups(P>0.05),but the operation time differed significantly(P<0.05).Conclusion Postural gravity traction combined with dental floss and titanium clip to form pulley external traction is simple to oper-ate in ESD for early intestinal lesions.It can maintain a clear field of view,shorten operation time,reduce the incidence of complications,and is safe and effective.

Objective:To analyze the relationship among thyroid autoimmunity (TAI), thyroid function, and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in early pregnant women in Xi'an.Methods:A prospective study included pregnant women who underwent prenatal check-ups at the Northwest Women's and Children's Hospital from November 2020 to October 2021, with a gestational age of 6 to 14 weeks. Thyroid function, thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb), thyroglobulin antibody (TgAb), and urinary iodine levels were measured, and the prevalence of thyroid disease and GDM was monitored. The subjects were divided into four groups: TPOAb positive only, TgAb positive only, both TPOAb and TgAb positive, and both TPOAb and TgAb negative, to compare the differences in the prevalence of thyroid disease and GDM among the groups. Statistical analysis was performed using Kruskal-Wallis rank-sum test, Bonferroni correction, Chi-square test, and a multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze the relationship between TAI, thyroid disease, and GDM. Results:A total of 20 243 early pregnant women were included in this study, among which 1 615 (7.98%) were positive for TPOAb only; 865 (4.27%) were positive for TgAb only; 1 672 (8.26%) were positive for both TPOAb and TgAb (both positive group); and 16 091 (79.49%) were negative for both TPOAb and TgAb (both negative group). The thyroid stimulating hormone levels in the TPOAb positive only group, TgAb positive only group, and both positive group were significantly higher than those in the both negative group, respectively (Bonferroni correction, all P<0.05); the free thyroxine level in the TPOAb positive only group was significantly lower than that in the both negative group ( P<0.05). After adjusting for age, pre-pregnancy body mass index, and urinary iodine levels, multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that compared to the both negative group, the risk of developing hypothyroidism during pregnancy was significantly increased in the both positive group ( OR=11.49, 95% CI: 2.84-46.39); the risk of developing subclinical hypothyroidism during pregnancy was significantly increased in the TgAb positive only group ( OR=1.99, 95% CI: 1.05-3.76) and the both positive group ( OR=3.74, 95% CI: 2.49-5.63); the risk of developing GDM was significantly increased in the TgAb positive only group ( OR=1.43, 95% CI: 1.04-1.96) and the both positive group ( OR=1.94, 95% CI: 1.53-2.46). Among early pregnant women with normal thyroid function, after adjusting for age, pre-pregnancy body mass index, and urinary iodine levels, multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that compared to the both negative group, the risk of developing GDM was significantly increased in the TgAb positive only group ( OR=1.46, 95% CI: 1.06-2.02) and the both positive group ( OR=1.80, 95% CI: 1.40-2.32). Conclusion:TgAb positive only is a risk factor for subclinical hypothyroidism and GDM. Screening for thyroid autoantibodies, especially TgAb, during pregnancy helps in the early identification of high-risk pregnant women for thyroid dysfunction and GDM.

Objective:To analyze the correlation between bone metabolism indicators,ultrasound quantitative parameters,and prediction of osteoporosis fracture risk assessment tool(FRAX)in elderly patients with osteoporosis(OP).Methods:A total of eighty elderly patients with OP who admitted to Wuxi Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine from December 2023 to December 2024 were selected.Based on the results of measuring bone quality by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry(DXA),they were divided into bone loss group(26 cases),moderate group(41 cases),and severe group(13 cases).All patients underwent measurements for N-terminal osteocalcin(N-MID OCN),total type I collagen N-terminal extended peptide(TP1NP),25 hydroxyvitamin D(25-OH VitD),parathyroid hormone(PTH),and β-collagen specific sequence(CROSSL)bone metabolism indicators when they were enrolled in groups.They underwent examinations of ultrasonic quantitative parameters included ultrasonic bone density(T value),ultrasound conduction velocity(SOS)and bone quality index(BQI),as well as FRAX prediction.The results of bone metabolism indicators,the examination of ultrasound quantitative parameter,and FRAX prediction were compared among the three groups of elderly patients with OP.Using Pearson linear correlation analysis analyzed the relationship among the three factors.Results:The N-MID OCN and 25-OH VitD levels in the severe group were lower respectively than those in the moderate group and the bone loss group,while the TP1NP,PTH,and CROSSL levels were higher than those in the moderate group and the bone less group,and the differences among the three groups were statistically significant(F=31.646,75.055,110.274,93.321,59.246,P<0.05).The T value,SOS,and BQI in the severe group were lower than those in the moderate group and the bone loss group,and the differences among the three groups were statistically significant(F=81.980,108.985,76.327,P<0.05).The levels of proximal humeral fracture(PHF)and postmenopausal osteoporosis fracture(PMOF)in the severe group were higher than those in the moderate group and the bone loss group,and the differences among the three groups were statistically significant(F=57.086,118.079,P<0.05).Pearson linear correlation analysis showed that the N-MID OCN and 25-OH VitD levels were positively correlated with T value,SOS,and BQI in elderly patients with OP(r=0.398,0.617,0.769,0.752,0.500,0.654,P<0.05),and were negatively correlated with PHF and PMOF(r=-0.504,-0.534,-0.572,-0.662,P<0.05).The TP1NP,PTH,CROSSL levels were negatively correlated with T value,SOS and BQI(r=-0.745,-0.751,-0.634,-0.733,-0.728,-0.569,-0.709,-0.648,-0.611,P<0.05),and were positively correlated with PHF and PMOF(r=0.612,0.558,0.602,0.700,0.695,0.740,P<0.05).Conclusion:The bone metabolism indicators of elderly patients with OP are correlated significantly with ultrasound quantitative parameters and FRAX prediction,which can be used as an important scheme in clinical assessment for bone strength and fracture risk.

Objective:To analyze the clinical features，diagnosis，treatment and prognosis of children with juvenile dermatomyositis(JDM) complicated with interstitial lung disease(ILD).Methods:The clinical manifestations，laboratory examination，treatment and prognosis of 7 children with JDM-ILD who were hospitalized in the Department of Nephrology and Immunology，Women and Children's Hospital Affiliated to Qingdao University from December 2019 to December 2023 were retrospectively analyzed.Results:Among the 7 cases，4 were male and 3 were female.The age of onset was 1.8-10.0 years（mean age 5.6 years），the occurrence time of pulmonary involvement was 0.6-4.0 months（mean time 2.0 months），and the follow-up time was 1.8-4.0 years.All the 7 cases had typical rash and different degrees of myasthenia.Four cases were accompanied by skin mucosal ulceration and 4 cases had fever during the course of the disease.Of the 7 cases，2 were accompanied by macrophage activation syndrome，and 1 of them had nervous system involvement，including convulsion and coma.All the children had increased creatase of varying degrees，and only 1 case had increased creatine kinase.Five cases had positive anti- melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5（MDA5）antibody and 4 cases had positive anti- Ro-52 antibody.Interleukin-6 was increased in 5 cases，interferon-γ was increased in 3 cases，and tumor necrosis factor-α was increased in 2 cases.Electromyography showed myogenic injury，MRI showed different degrees of myositis.Chest high-resolution CT showed ground glass shadow，rope shadow，consolidation shadow，pleural thickening，mesh shadow，etc.Four cases had limited lung function or mixed ventilation function restriction.All 7 cases received methylprednisolone pulse treatment combined with immunosuppressant treatment，and 5 cases received immunoglobulin treatment.Pulmonary lesions improved in 5 cases and partially improved in 1 case.One case died due to macrophage activation and multiple organ failure.Conclusion:The respiratory symptoms of JDM-ILD are obscure，and the incidence of ILD is high in children with anti-MDA5 antibody positive.High-resolution CT contributes to early diagnosis.Reasonable early application of glucocorticoid and immunosuppressants could improve the survival rate and quality of life.

Objective:To identify different subtypes of patients with preeclampsia(PE)through clinical liver function index data-driven the cluster analysis,to explore the correlation between liver function of different sub-types and pregnancy complications.Methods:From January 2012 to December 2022,the general data of 2230 sin-gleton pregnant women with PE who underwent prenatal examination and delivered in Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital were collected.Using 13 liver function indexes before delivery as baseline variables,all included subjects were classified into subtypes by cluster method.The clinical characteristics of different subtypes of PE patients were compared.Single-factor Logistic regression was used to analyze the risk of pregnancy complications among subtypes.Results:PE patients were divided into 3 subgroups that represented different characteristics of patients' liver function.The first subtype(n=1065)exhibited abnormal liver enzymology index characterized by in-creased alkaline phosphatase(ALP)level.The second subtype(n=648)showed abnormal bilirubin metabolism index with the highest levels of total bilirubin(TBIL),direct(DBIL)and indirect bilirubin(IBIL).The third subtype(n=517)had abnormal liver enzymology indexes with elevated alanine aminotransferase(ALT)and aspartate aminotransferase(AST)levels,abnormal bile acid detection indexes with elevated total bile acid(TBA)levels,and abnormal liver synthesis function indexes with decreased total protein(TP),albumin(ALB),and globulin lev-els(GLB).Significant differences were observed among the three subtypes in age,severe PE,anemia,cardiac dysfunction,and renal dysfunction(P＜0.05).Single-factor Logistic regression demonstrated that the third sub-type had significantly higher risks of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy,fetal growth restriction,premature rup-ture of membranes,and preterm birth compared to the first and second subtypes(P＜0.05),as well as a higher risk of placental abruption than the second subtype(P＜0.05).The first subtype had higher risks of placental ab-ruption and fetal growth restriction than the second subtype(P＜0.05).Conclusions:Cluster analysis could be used to subclassify PE patients by liver function characteristics,so as to identify the occurrence of pregnancy complications.The results had significance for understanding the heterogeneity of PE and promoting individualized management.