Background: and Purpose Vertebrobasilar fusiform aneurysms (VBFAs) carry substantial morbidity and mortality, but optimal management for unruptured VBFAs remains unclear. We compared the safety and efficacy of conservative management (CM), stent-assisted coiling (SAC), and flow diverters (FDs) in patients with unruptured VBFAs, focusing on long-term prognosis. Methods: This study included data from a nationwide Chinese cohort of patients with vertebrobasilar dissecting aneurysms. Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) balanced confounders across groups. The primary outcome was poor prognosis (modified Rankin Scale score >2). Secondary outcomes included aneurysm rupture, ischemic stroke, compression symptoms, and VBFA-related deaths. Logistic regression estimated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were performed. Results: Among 1,115 patients with unruptured VBFAs, 838 (median age, 54 years; 655 men) were included. After IPTW, baseline characteristics were balanced. Median follow-up was 54 months. FD was associated with a lower risk of poor prognosis than CM (OR, 0.48 [95% CI, 0.30 to 0.77]; p=0.002), with no difference between CM and SAC. FD also reduced aneurysm rupture (OR, 0.20 [95% CI, 0.07 to 0.60]; p=0.004) and compression symptoms (OR, 0.30 [95% CI, 0.13 to 0.68]; p=0.004) versus CM. Time-to-event analyses further revealed significant differences in vertebral artery lesions and Type I–II VBFAs, whereas no significant differences were observed in basilar or vertebrobasilar junction lesions or in Type III–IV VBFAs. Conclusions Compared with CM, FD was associated with improved long-term outcomes in unruptured VBFAs, particularly in vertebral artery lesions and Type I–II VBFAs, although residual confounding cannot be excluded.

Objective:To explore the predictive value of platelet aggregation function for acute kidney injury (AKI) in sepsis patients based on decision curve.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted to collect and analyze the clinical data of 120 sepsis patients admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University from January 2021 to December 2023. According to the incidence of AKI during hospitalization, they were divided into AKI group (37 cases) and non-AKI group (83 cases). The general data, platelet aggregation function index (platelet aggregation rate) and other laboratory indexes of the two groups were collected and compared. Logistic regression model was used to analyze the relationship between AKI and main indexes of platelet aggregation function in patients with sepsis. The area under the curve (AUC) was obtained by drawing the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, and the predictive value of platelet aggregation function on AKI in patients with sepsis was analyzed. R language software was used to construct a nomogram model of platelet aggregation function combined with other main indicators to predict AKI in patients with sepsis. Based on the decision curve, the predictive efficacy of the model on AKI in patients with sepsis was analyzed.Results:The platelet aggregation rate in the AKI group was lower than that in the non-AKI group: (56.23 ± 7.86)% vs. (68.79 ± 8.54)%, and the thrombin time was longer than that in the non-AKI group: 17.00 (16.50, 18.00) s vs. 16.00 (15.00, 17.00) s. The levels of D-dimer, C-reactive protein and procalcitonin were higher than those in the non-AKI group: (1.55 ± 0.45) mg/L vs. (1.32 ± 0.41) mg/L, (107.53 ± 18.41) mg/L vs. (99.86 ± 17.25) mg/L, (3.10 ± 0.46) μg/L vs. (2.88 ± 0.42) μg/L, and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). The results of constructing a Logistic regression model showed that AKI in sepsis patients may be related to abnormal levels of platelet aggregation rate, thrombin time, C-reactive protein and procalcitonin ( P<0.05). The ROC curve was drawn to obtain the corresponding AUC: the AUC of platelet aggregation rate predicting sepsis complicated with AKI was 0.860 (95% CI 0.789 to 0.931), which had certain predictive value. When the platelet aggregation rate was set to 62.84%, the best predictive value can be obtained, with sensitivity, specificity, and Jorden index of 83.80%, 80.70%, and 0.645, respectively. The nomogram model of platelet aggregation function assisting other major indicators in predicting AKI in sepsis patients had a C-index of 0.904 (95% CI 0.851 to 0.957), indicating good discrimination of the model. Through decision curve analysis of the clinical net benefit of the model, the results showed that the clinical net benefit of the model was higher than that of platelet aggregation rate and other major indicators when applied alone. When the risk threshold was within the range of 0 to 0.81 and 0.97 to 1.00, the model could provide a significant increase in clinical net benefit rate. Conclusions:Platelet aggregation function (platelet aggregation rate) can serve as an early auxiliary predictive indicator for the risk of AKI in sepsis patients, and can assist other major indicators to improve the predictive value of AKI in sepsis patients.

This study analyzed the epidemiological characteristics of imported malaria in Yunnan Province from 2020 to 2023,to provide scientific evidence for formulating measures to decrease imported malaria and prevent re-establishment of malaria transmission.Malaria data reported by the China Disease Prevention and Control Information System were analyzed to determine parasite species;sources of infection;temporal,spatial,and population distributions;and importation routes.A total of 828 malaria cases were reported in the province.Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum accounted for 89.98％and 8.33％of cases,respectively.A total of 47.58％of cases were imported from Myanmar,and all P.falciparum malaria ca-ses were from Africa.Thirteen(81.25％)prefectures or municipalities reported malaria,among which Dehong,Baoshan,Kunming,and Lincang reported 94.32％of cases.A total of 52.54％of cases were in young men.The proportion of cross-bor-der personnel flow,land input,and aircraft input were 88.89％and 11.11％respectively.A total of 98.19％of patients sought medical care within 7 days after fever onset,and 82.85％initiated diagnosis for malaria,and 84.90％of diagnoses were con-firmed by health facilities at or below the county level.Imported malaria is a major challenge in preventing re-establishment of transmission in Yunnan.Most imported cases involved cross-border malaria transmission of mainly Plasmodium vivax between China and Myanmar.To achieve malaria elimination,vigilance of health staff in malaria diagnosis and treatment should be pro-moted,and intensive malaria health education should be provided to people traveling to malaria endemic territories,to enable individual protection,and timely diagnosis and treatment after return from endemic countries.

This study analyzed the epidemiological characteristics of imported malaria in Yunnan Province from 2020 to 2023,to provide scientific evidence for formulating measures to decrease imported malaria and prevent re-establishment of malaria transmission.Malaria data reported by the China Disease Prevention and Control Information System were analyzed to determine parasite species;sources of infection;temporal,spatial,and population distributions;and importation routes.A total of 828 malaria cases were reported in the province.Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum accounted for 89.98％and 8.33％of cases,respectively.A total of 47.58％of cases were imported from Myanmar,and all P.falciparum malaria ca-ses were from Africa.Thirteen(81.25％)prefectures or municipalities reported malaria,among which Dehong,Baoshan,Kunming,and Lincang reported 94.32％of cases.A total of 52.54％of cases were in young men.The proportion of cross-bor-der personnel flow,land input,and aircraft input were 88.89％and 11.11％respectively.A total of 98.19％of patients sought medical care within 7 days after fever onset,and 82.85％initiated diagnosis for malaria,and 84.90％of diagnoses were con-firmed by health facilities at or below the county level.Imported malaria is a major challenge in preventing re-establishment of transmission in Yunnan.Most imported cases involved cross-border malaria transmission of mainly Plasmodium vivax between China and Myanmar.To achieve malaria elimination,vigilance of health staff in malaria diagnosis and treatment should be pro-moted,and intensive malaria health education should be provided to people traveling to malaria endemic territories,to enable individual protection,and timely diagnosis and treatment after return from endemic countries.

Aging is comprehensively influenced by multiple fac-tors such as internal genes,cellular metabolism,external envi-ronment,and lifestyle habits.Among them,epigenetic regula-tion plays a core role.Epigenetic modifications,including DNA methylation,histone modification,heterochromatin remodeling,and non-coding RNA regulation,act in concert with the three-di-mensional genome architecture to precisely regulate gene expres-sion.This review elaborates on the factors influencing epigenetic regulation,as well as the mechanisms of how epigenetics affects the occurrence of organismal aging and the corresponding inter-vention strategies,providing relevant insights for uncovering the mechanisms of aging and preventing/treating aging-related disea-ses.

Objective:Based on the background of high-quality development,we analyze the operational efficiency of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)hospitals in China's Yangtze River Economic Belt in 2021 and explore the impact of external environmental factors on operational efficiency,so as to provide a reference for promoting the high-quality development of TCM hospitals in the Yangtze River Economic Belt.Methods:The three-stage DEA model was used to analyze the operational efficiency of TCM hospitals in 11 provinces and cities in the Yangtze River Economic Zone in China in 2021.Results:After three-stage DEA analysis,the values of comprehensive efficiency,pure technical efficiency and scale efficiency of TCM hospitals in China's Yangtze River Economic Belt are 0.976,0.986 and 0.990,respectively.5 provinces and cities,Shanghai,Jiangsu,Hunan,Chongqing and Guizhou,are efficient before and after the adjustment,and the comprehensive efficiency of Zhejiang,Anhui,Hubei,Jiangxi,Sichuan and Yunnan have increased compared with that before the adjustment.Ranking of the average value of the comprehensive efficiency of TCM hospitals operation in the three major city clusters of the Yangtze River Economic Belt after adjustment:Chengdu-Chongqing city cluster(0.998)>city cluster in the Yangtze River Delta(0.964)>city cluster in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River(0.962).Conclusion:The operational efficiency of TCM hospitals in the Yangtze River Economic Zone has been underestimated,and the comprehensive efficiency is mainly affected by scale efficiency;there are differences in the operational efficiency of TCM hospitals in the three major urban agglomerations,and balanced development is needed between regions;the operational efficiency of TCM hospitals is affected by the external environment,and it is necessary to improve the external environment;it is necessary to strengthen the construction of digital and informatization of TCM,and to pay attention to the role of talents in TCM,so as to promote the high-quality development of TCM hospitals.

Objective:To explore the predictive value of platelet aggregation function for acute kidney injury (AKI) in sepsis patients based on decision curve.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted to collect and analyze the clinical data of 120 sepsis patients admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University from January 2021 to December 2023. According to the incidence of AKI during hospitalization, they were divided into AKI group (37 cases) and non-AKI group (83 cases). The general data, platelet aggregation function index (platelet aggregation rate) and other laboratory indexes of the two groups were collected and compared. Logistic regression model was used to analyze the relationship between AKI and main indexes of platelet aggregation function in patients with sepsis. The area under the curve (AUC) was obtained by drawing the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, and the predictive value of platelet aggregation function on AKI in patients with sepsis was analyzed. R language software was used to construct a nomogram model of platelet aggregation function combined with other main indicators to predict AKI in patients with sepsis. Based on the decision curve, the predictive efficacy of the model on AKI in patients with sepsis was analyzed.Results:The platelet aggregation rate in the AKI group was lower than that in the non-AKI group: (56.23 ± 7.86)% vs. (68.79 ± 8.54)%, and the thrombin time was longer than that in the non-AKI group: 17.00 (16.50, 18.00) s vs. 16.00 (15.00, 17.00) s. The levels of D-dimer, C-reactive protein and procalcitonin were higher than those in the non-AKI group: (1.55 ± 0.45) mg/L vs. (1.32 ± 0.41) mg/L, (107.53 ± 18.41) mg/L vs. (99.86 ± 17.25) mg/L, (3.10 ± 0.46) μg/L vs. (2.88 ± 0.42) μg/L, and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). The results of constructing a Logistic regression model showed that AKI in sepsis patients may be related to abnormal levels of platelet aggregation rate, thrombin time, C-reactive protein and procalcitonin ( P<0.05). The ROC curve was drawn to obtain the corresponding AUC: the AUC of platelet aggregation rate predicting sepsis complicated with AKI was 0.860 (95% CI 0.789 to 0.931), which had certain predictive value. When the platelet aggregation rate was set to 62.84%, the best predictive value can be obtained, with sensitivity, specificity, and Jorden index of 83.80%, 80.70%, and 0.645, respectively. The nomogram model of platelet aggregation function assisting other major indicators in predicting AKI in sepsis patients had a C-index of 0.904 (95% CI 0.851 to 0.957), indicating good discrimination of the model. Through decision curve analysis of the clinical net benefit of the model, the results showed that the clinical net benefit of the model was higher than that of platelet aggregation rate and other major indicators when applied alone. When the risk threshold was within the range of 0 to 0.81 and 0.97 to 1.00, the model could provide a significant increase in clinical net benefit rate. Conclusions:Platelet aggregation function (platelet aggregation rate) can serve as an early auxiliary predictive indicator for the risk of AKI in sepsis patients, and can assist other major indicators to improve the predictive value of AKI in sepsis patients.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of polyethylene glycol electrolyte powder(PEG)combined with linaclotide(Lin)for bowel preparation in elderly constipated patients before colonoscopy.Methods In this prospective,randomized controlled trial,90 elderly patients with constipation undergoing colonoscopy were recruited at our hospital from June 2022 to December 2023.Participants were randomly assigned to three groups(n=30 each):PEG-3L alone,PEG-3L+Lin,and PEG-2L+Lin.Primary outcome was Boston Bowel Preparation Scale(BBPS)score and secondary outcomes included adverse event rates,colonoscopy completion rate,withdrawal time,and polyp detection rate.Statistical analysis was performed using independent t-tests and chi-square tests.Results The PEG-3L+Lin group achieved significantly higher BBPS scores than both PEG-3L alone and PEG-2L+Lin groups did(both P<0.001).The PEG-2L+Lin group also outperformed the PEG-3L alone group in cleansing efficacy(90.0%vs.76.7%,P=0.008).The PEG-2L+Lin group demonstrated the best tolerability and lowest adverse event rate,the PEG-3L group had the longest withdrawal time(P<0.05),but the three groups showed no significant difference in polyp detection rates.Conclusion PEG combined with linaclotide significantly improves bowel cleansing in elderly constipated patients.PEG-2L+Lin regimen provides optimal balance between efficacy,safety,and tolerability,making it a preferable choice for this population.

Transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach(TOETVA)has become a research hotspot because of its cosmetic advantages of no scar on the body surface,but there is still a risk of unique complications,among which mandibular sensory dysfunction is the most common,mainly related to mental nerve injury.This review focuses on the key anatomical structures closely related to the establishment of TOETVA space and the occurrence of complications.A deep understanding of the related anatomical structures of maxillofacial region and neck,especially the location and variation of mental nerve,the course of mandibular marginal branches of facial nerve,the level of mandibular muscles and the adjacent relationship of blood vessels,is the key to safely implement TOETVA and reduce postoperative complications.Preoperative image evaluation,intraoperative precise anatomy,following the design of safe area and improving the operation method in the future will contribute to the further promotion of this operation.

Purpose: This study assessed the performance of the ultrasound-guided attenuation parameter (UGAP) in diagnosing and grading hepatic steatosis in patients with metabolic dysfunctionassociated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Magnetic resonance imaging proton density fat fraction (MRI-PDFF) served as the reference standard. Methods: Patients with hepatic steatosis were enrolled in this prospective study and underwent UGAP measurements. MRI-PDFF values of ≥5%, ≥15%, and ≥25% were used as references for the diagnosis of steatosis grades ≥S1, ≥S2, and S3, respectively. Spearman correlation coefficients and area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs) were calculated. Results: Between July 2023 and June 2024, the study included 88 patients (median age, 40 years; interquartile range [IQR], 36 to 46 years), of whom 54.5% (48/88) were men and 45.5% (40/88) were women. Steatosis grades exhibited the following distribution: 22.7% (20/88) had S0, 50.0% (44/88) had S1, 21.6% (19/88) had S2, and 5.7% (5/88) had S3. The success rate for UGAP measurements was 100%. The median UGAP value was 0.74 dB/cm/MHz (IQR, 0.65 to 0.82 dB/ cm/MHz), and UGAP values were positively correlated with MRI-PDFF (r=0.77, P<0.001). The AUCs of UGAP for the diagnoses of ≥S1, ≥S2, and S3 steatosis were 0.91, 0.90, and 0.88, respectively. In the subgroup analysis, 98.4% (60/61) of patients had valid controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) values. UGAP measurements were positively correlated with CAP values (r=0.65, P<0.001). Conclusion Using MRI-PDFF as the reference standard, UGAP demonstrates good diagnostic performance in the detection and grading of hepatic steatosis in patients with MASLD.