BACKGROUND:Myocardial hypertrophy often leads to severe cardiovascular diseases and is difficult to diagnose due to its early stages being hard to detect.Circulating inflammatory proteins have been found to be significantly associated with cardiovascular diseases,yet the specific mechanisms linking them to myocardial hypertrophy remain unclear.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the relationship between circulating proteins and myocardial hypertrophy using multiple Mendelian randomization approaches.METHODS:Utilizing data from 91 circulating inflammatory proteins in the GWAS Catalog database and the latest myocardial hypertrophy data from the R11 FinnGen database,we employed bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization,multivariate Mendelian randomization,and Genome-Wide Association Studies co-localization to investigate the causal relationship between circulating inflammatory proteins and myocardial hypertrophy.The accuracy of the results was verified through sensitivity tests including MR-PRESSO,Cochran's Q test,MR-Egger intercept assessment,leave-one-out analysis,and funnel plot analysis.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:In the results of two-sample Mendelian randomization,the primary method used for evaluation was the Inverse Variance Weighting(IVW)approach.It was found that the level of T-cell surface glycoprotein CD6 isoform(IVW:P=0.046,OR=0.74,95％Cl:0.66-1.00),level of slit chemokine(IVW:P=2.1×10-2,OR=0.74,95％CI:0.556-0.95),level of Delta and Notch-like epidermal growth factor-related receptor(IVW:P=3.7×10-4,OR=0.66,95％CI:0.49-0.87),level of interleukin-2(IVW:P=3.8×103,OR=0.667,95％CI:0.50-0.88),and sulfotransferase 1A1(IVW:P=1.42×102,OR=0.80,95％CI:0.67-0.96)had a unidirectional causal effect on cardiac hypertrophy.(2)Among the findings in multivariate Mendelian randomization,the levels of the CD6 isoform of T-cell surface glycoprotein(IVW:P=1.39×102,OR=0.81,95％CI:0.69-0.96)and the levels of Delta and Notch-like epidermal growth factor-related receptor(IVW:P=3.7×10-2,OR=0.73,95％CI:0.55-0.98)were positive,indicating that the results remained significant after excluding the effects of other circulating inflammatory proteins that had an impact on myocardial hypertrophy.(3)In colocalization,T-cell surface glycoprotein CD6 isoform levels had H3+H4=0.96,with the most significant single nucleotide polymorphism being rs59570070,suggesting an intrinsic link between T-cell surface glycoprotein CD6 isoform levels and myocardial hypertrophy.(4)Sensitivity results showed no abnormalities,indicating no heterogeneity or pleiotropic effects influencing the results.(5)These results verified that T cell surface glycoprotein CD6 isoforms,Slit chemokine,Delta and Notch-like epidermal growth factor-related receptors,interleukin-2,and sulfotransferase 1A1 had a unidirectional causal effect on myocardial hypertrophy.T cell surface glycoprotein CD6 isoforms and Delta and Notch-like epidermal growth factor-related receptors had the deepest impact,suggesting that there may be related pathways between T cell surface glycoprotein CD6 isoforms and myocardial hypertrophy.Mendelian randomization studies require large amounts of clinical data and therefore often use European samples from international databases for analysis.Since this analytical method has significant advantages in causal inference,precision medicine,and cross-population validation,its research results still hold great significance for the medical development in China.As Mendelian randomization research deepens,it also promotes the collection and analysis of clinical data in China to some extent.In the future,we can further analyze key protein mechanisms,combine multiomics and clinical validation,develop an inflammatory marker monitoring system and novel anti-inflammatory therapies,thereby promoting the prevention and control of cardiovascular diseases and the development of personalized medicine.

BACKGROUND:Myocardial hypertrophy often leads to severe cardiovascular diseases and is difficult to diagnose due to its early stages being hard to detect.Circulating inflammatory proteins have been found to be significantly associated with cardiovascular diseases,yet the specific mechanisms linking them to myocardial hypertrophy remain unclear.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the relationship between circulating proteins and myocardial hypertrophy using multiple Mendelian randomization approaches.METHODS:Utilizing data from 91 circulating inflammatory proteins in the GWAS Catalog database and the latest myocardial hypertrophy data from the R11 FinnGen database,we employed bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization,multivariate Mendelian randomization,and Genome-Wide Association Studies co-localization to investigate the causal relationship between circulating inflammatory proteins and myocardial hypertrophy.The accuracy of the results was verified through sensitivity tests including MR-PRESSO,Cochran's Q test,MR-Egger intercept assessment,leave-one-out analysis,and funnel plot analysis.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:In the results of two-sample Mendelian randomization,the primary method used for evaluation was the Inverse Variance Weighting(IVW)approach.It was found that the level of T-cell surface glycoprotein CD6 isoform(IVW:P=0.046,OR=0.74,95％Cl:0.66-1.00),level of slit chemokine(IVW:P=2.1×10-2,OR=0.74,95％CI:0.556-0.95),level of Delta and Notch-like epidermal growth factor-related receptor(IVW:P=3.7×10-4,OR=0.66,95％CI:0.49-0.87),level of interleukin-2(IVW:P=3.8×103,OR=0.667,95％CI:0.50-0.88),and sulfotransferase 1A1(IVW:P=1.42×102,OR=0.80,95％CI:0.67-0.96)had a unidirectional causal effect on cardiac hypertrophy.(2)Among the findings in multivariate Mendelian randomization,the levels of the CD6 isoform of T-cell surface glycoprotein(IVW:P=1.39×102,OR=0.81,95％CI:0.69-0.96)and the levels of Delta and Notch-like epidermal growth factor-related receptor(IVW:P=3.7×10-2,OR=0.73,95％CI:0.55-0.98)were positive,indicating that the results remained significant after excluding the effects of other circulating inflammatory proteins that had an impact on myocardial hypertrophy.(3)In colocalization,T-cell surface glycoprotein CD6 isoform levels had H3+H4=0.96,with the most significant single nucleotide polymorphism being rs59570070,suggesting an intrinsic link between T-cell surface glycoprotein CD6 isoform levels and myocardial hypertrophy.(4)Sensitivity results showed no abnormalities,indicating no heterogeneity or pleiotropic effects influencing the results.(5)These results verified that T cell surface glycoprotein CD6 isoforms,Slit chemokine,Delta and Notch-like epidermal growth factor-related receptors,interleukin-2,and sulfotransferase 1A1 had a unidirectional causal effect on myocardial hypertrophy.T cell surface glycoprotein CD6 isoforms and Delta and Notch-like epidermal growth factor-related receptors had the deepest impact,suggesting that there may be related pathways between T cell surface glycoprotein CD6 isoforms and myocardial hypertrophy.Mendelian randomization studies require large amounts of clinical data and therefore often use European samples from international databases for analysis.Since this analytical method has significant advantages in causal inference,precision medicine,and cross-population validation,its research results still hold great significance for the medical development in China.As Mendelian randomization research deepens,it also promotes the collection and analysis of clinical data in China to some extent.In the future,we can further analyze key protein mechanisms,combine multiomics and clinical validation,develop an inflammatory marker monitoring system and novel anti-inflammatory therapies,thereby promoting the prevention and control of cardiovascular diseases and the development of personalized medicine.

With the rapid advancement of hemodynamic indices and monitoring technologies, their classification methods and application processes have become increasingly complex. Currently, no unified standard hasbeen established, making it difficult to fully meet the clinical requirements for hemodynamic management. To assist in hemodynamic monitoring assessment and therapeutic decision-making in critically ill patients, the Critical Hemodynamic Therapy Collaborative Group, in conjunction with the Critical Ultrasound Study Group, has jointly developed the Standard for the Application of Hemodynamic Monitoring Techniques in Critical Care. The first part of this standard systematically categorizes hemodynamic indicators into flow indicators, pressure and its derivative indicators, and tissue perfusion indicators, while elaborating on the clinical application of each. The second part establishes a standardized clinical implementation pathway for hemodynamic monitoring. It proposes a tiered monitoring strategy-comprising basic, advanced, indication-specific, and special scenario monitoring-tailored to different clinical settings. It emphasizes the central role of critical care ultrasound across all levels of monitoring and establishes hemodynamic assessment standards for organs such as the brain, kidneys, and gastrointestinal tract. This standard aims to provide a unified framework for clinical practice, teaching, training, and research in critical care medicine, thereby promoting standardized development within the discipline.

Objective To gain insights into the biological characteristics of different populations of Culex tritaeniorhynchus within and around the Yellow Sea wetland from the perspective of the occurrence of resistance, we investigated the levels of resistance to deltamethrin and kdr gene mutation in the wetland and its peripheral areas. Methods Specimens were collected from Cx. tritaeniorhynchus populations at two monitoring sites in the Rare Bird National Nature Reserve and Tiaozi Ni Wetland Scenic Area, and also from two populations in Yancheng City and the Liuhe District of Nanjing, and the resistance of these mosquitoes to deltamethrin was determined using the CDC biotest bottle method. For each concentration of deltamethrin assessed, a random subset of exposed specimens was selected for amplification of the kdr gene fragment, followed by Sanger sequencing to identify and analyze resistance-associated mutations. Results The LC50 levels of deltamethrin among mosquitoes from the four populations in Luhe, Yancheng, the Rare Bird National Nature Reserve and the Tiaozi Ni Wetland Scenic Area were 2.048 5, 7.798 2, 3.473 3, and 17.695 5 mg/mL, respectively, with corresponding concentrations of deltamethrin ranging from 0.005 to 5.000,0.050 to 50.000,0.050 to 25.000 and 0.050 to 50.000 mg/mL, respectively. Furthermore, the ranges of the KT50 values were 11.76-107.43, 67.05-216.30,29.77-107.43 and 28.40-329.51 min; the 1-h knockdown rates were 34.58%-99.15%, 9.52%-43.80%, 55.09%-73.01%, and 10.09%-68.07%; and the 24-h mortality rates were 12.15%-67.52%,9.52%-79.56%,13.17%-82.21%, and 11.01%-78.99%, respectively. With respect to kdr gene mutation, we assayed a total of 63,70,59, and 57 mosquitoes for the four populations, for which we detected L1014F mutation frequencies of 14.29%, 35.00%, 20.34%, and 31.58%, respectively, with a majority of these mutations being heterozygous for resistance. In addition, five adult mosquitoes were identified has having synonymous mutations at site 1011[i. e. , AAT(asparagine)mutation to AAC(asparagine)]. Conclusions Our findings revealed the clear resistance of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus to deltamethrin in the Yancheng region of the Yellow Sea wetland, and the resistance phenotype and kdr frequency of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus in the wetland environment were comparable to those of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus in the wetland environment, thereby indicating that the resistance of different populations of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus was homogeneous under the pressure of different insecticide selection within and around the wetland. However, the underlying mechanisms need to be further studied.

Objective To understand the current situation of healthcare-associated infection(HAI)in China,pro-vide data support and decision-making basis for formulating scientific and effective strategies for HAI prevention and control.Methods A nationwide cross-sectional survey on HAI was conducted among various types and levels of medical institutions in China according to a unified protocol of bedside surveys and case investigations.Results In 2024,a total of 5 736 medical institutions and 2 751 765 patients were surveyed.Among them,34 889 HAI cases were identified,with a prevalence rate of 1.27％.The number of HAI episodes was 38 032,and case prevalence rate was 1.38％.The prevalence rate of HAI in medical institutions in different regions of China ranged from 0.66％to 2.35％.Among medical institutions of different scales,those with a bed capacity of ≥900 had the high-est incidence of HAI,reaching 1.65％.The most common infection site was the lower respiratory tract(44.66％),followed by the urinary tract(12.94％),surgical site(9.32％),upper respiratory tract(7.02％),and bloodstream infection(5.78％).The top 3 departments with the highest HAI rates were the general intensive care unit(10.02％),department of neurosurgery(5.51％),and department(group)of hematology(5.34％).A total of 23 238 strains of HAI pathogens were detected,with 10 714 strains(46.10％)from lower respiratory tract speci-mens.The top 5 detected strains were Klebsiella pneumoniae(14.76％),Pseudomonas aeruginosa(13.33％),Escherichia coli(12.79％),Acinetobacter baumannii(9.23％),and Staphylococcus aureus(7.88％).231 944 pa-tients underwent class Ⅰ incision surgery were monitored,with 1 647 cases experienced surgical site infection,and the prevalence rate of surgical site infection was 0.71％.The number of patients who should undergo pathogen de-tection(patients receiving therapeutic and therapeutic combined prophylactic antimicrobial agents)was 715 179,while the actual number was 480 492,with a pathogen detection rate of 67.18％.425 225 patients received patho-genic detection before treatment,with a detection rate of 59.46％.Conclusion The overall HAI prevalence in Chi-na is lower,showing disparities among medical institutions of different regions and scales.Therefore,precise imple-mentation of measures is necessary for HAI prevention and control,with a focus on high-risk institutions and high-risk departments,key areas,and critical procedures.All levels of medical institutions should continuously reduce the incidence of HAI by strengthening monitoring,standardizing the use of antimicrobial agents,and reinforcing basic HAI prevention and control measures.

OBJECTIVE To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of hospital-associated infections(HAIs)in a large scale three-A hospital and assess the occurrence and development trends of HAIs before and after COVID-19 epidemic and during different stages of prevention and control strategies so as to provide scientific bases for HAIs management.METHODS The surveillance data were collected from the patients who were hospitalized in a large scale three-A hospital by nosocomial infection real-time surveillance system from Jan.2018 to Dec.2023.The prevalence trend,infection sites and distribution of pathogens were analyzed.The study period was divided into the pre-epidemic stage and the epidemic stage,the epidemic stage was divided into the strict infection prevention and control phase and the loose infection prevention and control phase.The epidemiological characteristics of HAIs were observed and compared.RESULTS From 2018 to 2023,the prevalence rate of HAIs was decreased from 3.39％to 2.21％,and there was significant difference in the prevalence rate of the infections among the years(x2=105.00,P＜0.001).During the six years,the prevalence rate of HAIs was highest in the internal medicine wards of critical care medicine department(54.91％),and the gram-negative bacteria(56.61％)were dominant among the pathogens.Lower respiratory tract(41.85％),bloodstream(20.93％)and urinary tract(20.50％)ranked the top 3 infection sites;the lower respiratory tract infection ranked the first place before the COVID-19 epidemic and the different stages of epidemic.The overall prevalence rate of HAIs was 3.26％during the epidemic period,remarkably lower than 3.91％before the COVID-19 epidemic(P＜0.001);the overall prevalence rate of HAIs was 2.21％in the loose prevention and control phase of 2023,remarkably lower than 3.78％in the strict prevention and control phase(P＜0.001).CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of HAIs generally shows a downward trend during the six years.The lower respiratory tract is the major infection site,and the gram-negative bacteria are dominant among the pathogens,especially Klebsiella pneumoniae.The prevention and control strategies for the COVID-19 epidemic may facilitate the reduction of incidence of HAIs,and the prevalence rate is remarkably reduced even in the loose prevention and control phase.It is necessary for the hospital to take targeted prevention and control measures based on the departments,carry out rigid surveillance of the major infection sites and patho-gens,and conduct multidisciplinary coordinated prevention and control so as to control the HAIs.

Objective:To investigate the prevalence of skeletal fluorosis and the management and treatment of patients in endemic fluorosis areas of Shaanxi Province.Methods:From March to November 2023, in accordance with the requirements of the "2023 Monitoring Plan for Endemic Fluorosis in Shaanxi Province", the implementation of prevention and control measures of endemic fluorosis in Shaanxi Province was investigated. The data of patients with skeletal fluorosis from January to December 2023 were downloaded from Shaanxi Province Endemic Disease Control Information Management Platform, and the epidemiological characteristics were analyzed. At the same time, the management and treatment of patients with skeletal fluorosis in endemic fluorosis areas of Shaanxi Province were carried out in accordance with the requirements of the "Shaanxi Province Endemic Disease Patient Management Service Specification".Results:In 2023, there were 10 drinking water-borne endemic fluorosis cities in Shaanxi Province, involving 3 715 endemic villages, including 3 650 water improvement villages with a water-improving rate of 98.25%. There were 2 coal-burning-borne endemic fluorosis cities in Shaanxi Province, involving 641 746 households in 1 414 endemic villages. Among them, 641 617 households had changed their furnaces and stoves, with a furnace and stove change rate of 99.98%. There were 37 462 patients with skeletal fluorosis in the province, with 35 792 from drinking water-borne endemic fluorosis areas and 1 670 from coal-burning-borne endemic fluorosis areas. The condition was mainly mild and moderate (94.12%, 35 258/37 462), with females accounting for 55.13% (20 654/37 462). The education level was mainly primary school and illiteracy (83.64%, 31 333/37 462), and the occupation was mainly farmers (99.29%, 37 196/37 462). A total of 37 116 patients with skeletal fluorosis were followed up and managed, with a management rate of 99.08% (37 116/37 462). A total of 35 756 patients were managed in a standardized manner, and the standardized management rate was 96.34% (35 756/37 116). A total of 30 649 patients with skeletal fluorosis were actually treated, with a treatment rate of 84.27% (30 649/36 370) and a total effective rate of 98.08% (30 062/30 649).Conclusion:In 2023, the prevalence of skeletal fluorosis in endemic fluorosis areas of Shaanxi Province is mainly mild and moderate, with a wide coverage of community management and a high level of treatment efficiency.

Accessory cavitated uterine malformation(ACUM)is a rare unique congenital Müllerian duct malformation.Its main clinical manifestations are abdominal pain shortly after menarche and progressive aggravation,also may present as chronic periodic lower abdominal pain or abnormal uterine bleeding.Because it occurs rarely,it is easy to cause misdiagnosis or delay diagnosis.This paper reports the clinical manifestations,diagnosis and treatment of a young patient with ACUM,and reviews the literature to deepen the understanding of this rare genital tract malformation.

Objective To explore the correlation between serum hypoxia-inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α)levels and cerebral microbleeds(CMBs)and cognitive impairment and to assess the predictive value of HIF-1α for CSVD-related cognitive impairment.Methods A total of 104 patients with CSVD who attended the Department of Neurology,First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University from June 2022 to November 2023 were enrolled.All enrolled patients were subjected to basic statistics,cranial nuclear magnetic resonance examination,cognitive function assessment,and serum HIF-1α test,and the number and location of CMBs were counted.Based on the above data the enrolled patients were grouped.The correlation between HIF-1α and cognitive function and CMBs was studied the influencing factors of CMBs and cognitive impairment were analyzed,and the predictive value of HIF-1α on the occurrence of cognitive impairment was evaluated.Results There were statistically significant differences in HIF-1α levels and cognitive function among different CMBs groups.Serum HIF-1α levels were significantly negatively correlated with overall cognitive function,visuospatial and executive function,attention,and delayed recall,and serum HIF-1α was positively correlated with the number of CMBs.HIF-1α may be a risk factor for CMBs and cognitive impairment associated with CSVD,and serum HIF-1α has potential in predict the cognitive impairment caused by CSVD.Conclusion Serum levels of HIF-1α were associated with the number of CMB and CSVD-related cognitive impairment,and serum levels of HIF-1α may have a predictive value for CSVD-related cognitive impairment.

Objective To explore the effectiveness of the peripheral arterial calcification scoring system(PACSS)based on computed tomography angiography(CTA)in assessing renal function in patients with peripheral arterial disease(PAD).Methods The clinical data,CTA imaging data,and laboratory results from PAD patients who underwent lower limb artery CTA examination were retrospectively collected.The PACSS was utilized to score the calcification in both lower limb arteries.Participants were categorized into three groups based on their estimated glomerular filtration rate(eGFR)(normal group:eGFR≥90 mL/min;mild renal dysfunction group:eGFR 60-89 mL/min,and moderate to severe renal dysfunction group:eGFR＜60 mL/min).The demographic data,clinical symptoms,and comorbidities among the three groups were compared by analysis of variance(ANOVA).The Spearman correlation coefficient was employed to evaluate the relationship between eGFR,cystatin C,and PACSS score.Results The age(P＜0.001)and PACSS score(P＜0.05)of patients with renal dysfunction were significantly higher than those of patients with normal renal function.However,there were no significant differences in gender,prevalence of diabetes,hypertension,or severe limb ischemia.Spearman correlation analysis showed that eGFR was negatively correlated with PACSS score(r=-0.18 in the right lower limb,P=0.037,r=-0.24 in the left lower limb,P=0.006).In contrast,cystatin C was positively correlated with PACSS score(r=0.26 in the right lower limb,P＜0.001,r=0.22 in the left lower limb,P=0.002).Conclusion The PACSS score of lower limb artery in PAD patients is corre-lated with the severity of renal dysfunction.This finding may facilitate early warning and clinical intervention for PAD patients with renal dysfunction.