Objective To explore the needs and influencing factors of palliative care among primary car-egivers in families of patients with advanced Alzheimer's disease(AD).Methods The main caregivers of 148 patients with advanced AD who were diagnosed at the Memory Clinic of this hospital from January 2021 to December 2022 were randomly selected as the research subjects.A self-designed questionnaire on palliative care needs was used for investigation and statistical analysis.Results The total score of the main caregivers for palliative medical needs was(91.88±15.19),with a score indicator of 66.57％.The highest score indicator was the demand for professional medical care guidance,and the lowest was the demand for social support.There were statistical differences in the scores of palliative medical care needs of caregivers with different a-ges,education level,relationship with patients,nursing experience,death of relatives and friends,annual family income,medical payment method and physical condition(P＜0.05).The results of linear regression analysis showed that education level,relationship with patients and nursing experience were the influencing factors of family caregivers'easing medical needs(P＜0.05).Conclusion The main caregivers of advanced AD patients have a high demand for palliative care,and there is an urgent need to strengthen palliative care services.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of CYP3A5 gene polymorphism and Wuzhi capsule （WZ） on early postoperative tacrolimus exposure and adverse reactions in renal transplant patients. METHODS A total of 132 patients who underwent renal transplantation and received tacrolimus + mycophenolic acids + prednisone after operation in our hospital from September 2021 to September 2023 were selected and divided into four groups according to genotypes （CYP3A5*1 or CYP3A5*3/*3） and with or without WZ （“ +WZ” meant drug combination， “ +NO WZ” meant without combination）. The blood trough concentration/daily dose （c0/D） values of the four groups were analyzed on the 14th day， 1 month and 3 months after renal transplantation. The incidence of acute rejection and the incidence of tacrolimus-related adverse reactions within 3 months after transplantation were compared among 4 groups. RESULTS On the 14th day， 1 month and 3 months after surgery （except for the CYP3A5*1+WZ group）， c0/D values of CYP3A5*1 genotype patients were significantly lower than those of CYP3A5*3/*3 genotype patients regardless of whether they were treated with WZ additionally （P＜0.05）. Within 3 months after surgery， although there was no significant difference in the incidence of acute rejection and tacrolimus-related adverse reactions among the four groups （P＞ 0.05）， the incidence of hyperglycemia in patients with CYP3A5*3/*3 was higher （41.67%）. CONCLUSIONS CYP3A5 gene polymorphism is significantly related to tacrolimus c0/D in kidney transplant patients. Under the premise of c0 monitoring of tacrolimus， patients with CYP3A5*1 genotype should be given WZ as soon as possible after surgery to accelerate tacrolimus to reach the therapeutic concentration range， while CYP3A5*3/*3 genotype is not recommended to be given WZ because of the higher risk of hyperglycemia.

Objective:To investigate personal exposures to nitrogen oxides(NOX)and nitrogen di-oxide(NO2)and the influence of baseline personal characteristics,living environment and daily activity patterns of the participants on the exposures among adults over 35 in Tianjin and Shanghai.Methods:In this panel study,91 healthy nonsmoking adults aged over 35 from Tianjin and Shanghai participated in our study.The study was conducted in summer and winter.The participants were followed for three times with an interval of at least two weeks.Only participants in Shanghai were followed once in winter because of the COVID-19 pandemic.Twenty-seven participants completed follow-up visits in both seasons.We measured their 24 h personal exposures to NOX and NO2and collected their baseline and time-activity in-formation through questionnaire/diary.The linear mixed model was used to analyze the associations be-tween potential influencing factors and personal NOX and NO2 exposure levels.Results:There were 349 follow-up visits with valid 24 h personal NO2 and NOX exposure measurements in the two cities.The ave-rage 24 h personal exposures to NO2 and NOX(volume fraction)in Tianjin participants were 18.0 x 10-9 and 26.2 × 10-9 in summer,and 31.0 x 10-9 and 54.9 x 10-9in winter,respectively;and the average 24 h personal exposures to NO2 and NOX in Shanghai participants were 38.7 x 10-9and 100.0x10-9in summer,and 45.5 x10-9 and 139.2 x 10-9 in winter,respectively.The results of univariate regression analysis showed that their personal NOX exposure levels were significantly associated with city,season,gender,average daily cooking times,and ambient NO2 concentrations measured at fixed-site monitoring stations.In addition to the above factors,the personal NOX exposure levels were also significantly associ-ated with educational level and the personal NO2 exposure levels were also significantly associated with passive smoking,average daily home time,cooking energy type,residential distance from main traffic road,and use of kitchen ventilators.Multivariate regression analysis showed that the personal exposure levels of NO2 and NOX were significantly lower in Tianjin than that in Shanghai,were significantly lower in summer than that in winter,and were significantly and positively associated with ambient NO2 concen-trations measured at fixed-site monitoring stations.In addition,personal NOX exposure levels were signifi-cantly lower in females than in males,and personal NO2 exposure levels were significantly positively asso-ciated with average daily cooking times and significantly inversely associated with average daily home time.For every interquartile range(IQR)increase(12.7 × 10-9)in ambient NO2,the personal NO2 exposure levels increased by 27.5％(95％CI:17.0％-38.9％),and personal NOX exposure levels in-creased by 16.1％(95％CI:7.1％-25.8％).Conclusion:Season,city and ambient NO2 concentra-tions are significant influencing factors of personal exposure levels of NO2and NOX At the same time,the personal exposures levels of NO2 are also affected by lifestyle factors.Our study provides scientific evi-dence for making precise air pollution control decisions and reducing the exposure levels of NOX in the population.

Objective To explore the impact of pH value of the reaction system on the properties of bovine hemoglobin modified with aldehydeated polyethylene glycol(PEG-bHb).Methods PEG-bHb conjugates were synthesized under varying pH conditions(6.0,6.5,7.4 and 8.0)of the reaction system while consistent molar ratios,temperature,and reaction time were maintained.The structural and functional attributes of PEG-bHb were characterized.Results The proportion of methemoglobin decreased with an increase in pH.In a weakly acidic reaction environment,the PEG-bHb was found to be relatively highly modified.At pH 6.5,the average number of PEG chains attached to the bHb surface was 6.86±0.38.Selective PEG modification of the N-terminal α-NH2 groups was more pronounced under weakly acidic conditions.Specifically,at pH 6.5,the modification efficiency of the N-terminal α-NH2 groups of bHb by aldehyde-activated PEG reached 95.4％for the α-chains and 99.3％for the β-chains.The PEG modification influenced the heme region microenvi-ronment of bHb,with minimal structural impact observed at pH 6.5.After modification,the oxygen affinity of PEG-bHb was enhanced,the Hill coefficient was reduced,and there were significant increases in colloid osmotic pressure,viscosity,and particle size,all of which differed markedly from the unmodified bHb group(P＜0.001).Conclusion The synthesis of PEG-bHb under weakly acidic conditions can result in a high degree of selective modification of the N-terminal α-NH2 groups and an overall high degree of modification.

Objective     To analyze predictive factors, clinical implications and prognosis effects of new-onset conduction block after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). Methods     The clinical data of 86 patients who underwent TAVI through transfemoral approach from 2019 to 2021 in Fujian Provincial Hospital were retrospectively analyzed, including 59 males and 27 females with an average age of 72.9±8.0 years. The patients were divided into a normal group and a new-onset conduction block group according to whether there was new-onset conduction block after operation, and then the new-onset conduction block group was subdivided into a left bundle branch block (LBBB) group (28 patients) and a complete atrioventricular block (CAVB) group (11 patients). We compared the hemodynamics and TAVI-related complications between the postoperative and early follow-up periods, and used the multivariate logistic regression models to identify risk factors for the new-onset conduction block. Results     The median EuroSCORE of all patients were 8 (2) points before the operation. In the postoperative and early follow-up periods, the hemodynamics and TAVI-related complications had no statistical difference between the new-onset conduction block group and the normal group (P>0.05). The incidence of permanent pacemaker implantation (81.8%, 9/11) and mortality due to cardiac causes (18.1%, 2/11) in the CAVB group were significantly higher than those in the normal group and theLBBB group (P<0.05). Female, severe calcification of the aortic valve, too large valve size and deep valve implants were the risk factors for new-onset conduction block after TAVI. Conclusion    The incidence of LBBB and CAVB is high after TAVI, however, both of them do not significantly effect the hemodynamics of the patients. Higher incidence of permanent pacemaker implantation is found in the CAVB group which affects the rate of rehospitalization and mortality. Female patients, severe calcification of the aortic valve, too large valve size and deep valve implants are the risk factors for the new-onset conduction block after TAVI.

Objective     To investigate the effect of ginkgolide B (GB) on cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-3 (Caspase-3)/chromosome 10 deletion phosphatase-tension protein homologue (PTEN)/protein kinase B (Akt) pathway and cell proliferation and apoptosis in hypoxia/reoxygenation cardiomyocytes. Methods     H9C2 cells were cultured in vitro. A control group was cultured in serum-free DMEM high glucose medium at 37°C and 5% CO2 for 28 hours. The remaining groups were prepared with hypoxia/reoxygenation models. A GB low-dose group and a GB high-dose group were treated with GB pretreatment with final concentration of 50 μmol/L and 200 μmol/L respectively at 1 h before hypoxia/reoxygenation. A carvedilol group was treated with carvedilol of a final concentration of 10 μmol/L at 1 h before hypoxia/reoxygenation. The proliferation and apoptosis of H9C2 cells were detected, and the levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), malondialdehyde (MDA), reactive oxygen species (ROS), PTEN, Akt, phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt) and Caspase-3 in H9C2 cells were also detected. Results     Compared with the control group, the proliferation rate of H9C2 cell, and the levels of PTEN, Akt and p-Akt in other groups decreased, and the apoptosis rate, and the levels of LDH, MDA, ROS and Caspase-3 increased (P<0.05). Compared with the hypoxia/reoxygenation group, the proliferation rate of H9C2 cell, and the levels of PTEN, Akt and p-Akt in all GB dose groups and the carvedilol group increased; the apoptosis rate, and the levels of LDH, MDA, ROS and Caspase-3 decreased, and the effect of GB was in a dose dependent manner; however, the effect of GB was not as strong as carvedilol (P<0.05). Conclusion     GB can inhibit H9C2 cell apoptosis and promote H9C2 cell proliferation by activating Caspase-3/PTEN/Akt pathway.

Objective:To investigate the clinical value of early gastroscopy for patients with hypopharyngeal cancer.Methods:A total of 231 cases of hypopharyngeal cancer diagnosed and treated in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University from January 2010 to December 2014 were included in the retrospective analysis. The 5-year survival rate of hypopharyngeal cancer and patients accompanied with synchronous esophageal cancer (including early and advanced esophageal cancer), as well as the detection rate of synchronous esophageal cancer by gastroscopy and systemic PET-CT examination were statistically analyzed.Results:The 5-year survival rate of hypopharyngeal cancer was 38.96% (90/231). The 5-year survival rates of 62 patients accompanied with synchronous esophageal cancer and 169 patients without were 27.42% (17/62) and 43.20% (73/169), respectively, with statistic difference ( χ2=4.747, P=0.029). The 5-year survival rate of 49 patients accompanied with synchronous early esophageal cancer was 30.69% (17/49). Among the 13 patients with synchronous progressive esophageal cancer, none had a survival period of 5 years, which was significantly different compared with the patients with synchronous early esophageal cancer ( P=0.013). The detection rates of synchronous esophageal carcinoma by gastroscopy and by systemic PET-CT were 26.84% (62/231) and 14.29% (33/231), respectively, with statistic difference ( χ2=11.14, P<0.01). The detection rates of synchronous early esophageal carcinoma by gastroscopy and by systemic PET-CT were 21.21% (49/231) and 8.66% (20/231), respectively, and the difference was also statistically significant ( χ2=14.328, P<0.01). Conclusion:Hypopharyngeal cancer accompanied with synchronous esophageal cancer is of high risk, which affects the survival rate of patients. Early gastroscopy in hypopharyngeal cancer patients can significantly improve the detection rate of synchronous esophageal cancer, which helps to design individualized regimen to improve the survival rate of patients.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the metabolic profile and genetic variants for newborns with primary carnitine deficiency (PCD) from Guangxi, China. METHODS: From January 2014 to December 2019, 400 575 newborns from the jurisdiction of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Newborn Screening Center were subjected to tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) analysis. Newborns with positive results for PCD and their mothers were recalled for retesting. Those who were still positive were subjected to sequencing of the SLC22A5 gene. RESULTS: Twenty-two newborns and 9 mothers were diagnosed with PCD, which gave a prevalence rate of 1/18 208. Sequencing of 18 newborns and 4 mothers have identified 14 types of SLC22A5 gene variants, with the common ones including c.51C>G (10/44, 22.7%), c.1195C>T (9/44, 20.5%) and c.1400C>G (7/44, 15.9%), The c.517delC(p.L173Cfs*3) and c.1031C>T(p.T344I) were unreported previously and predicted to be pathogenic (PVS1+PM2_supporting+PM3+PP4) and likely pathogenic (PM1+PM2_supporting+PM3+PP3+PP4) based on the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics standards and guidelines. CONCLUSION c.51C>G, c.1195C>T and c.1400C>G are the most common variants underlying PCD in Guangxi.
Cardiomyopathies ; Carnitine/deficiency* ; China ; Humans ; Hyperammonemia ; Infant, Newborn ; Metabolome ; Muscular Diseases ; Mutation ; Solute Carrier Family 22 Member 5/genetics* ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Objective:To evaluate the safety and clinical efficacy of transplanting a muscle flap to treat the postoperative refractory empyema with a bronchopleural fistula.Methods:From July 2015 to December 2019, the clinical data of 15 patients who suffered from postoperative refractory empyema with bronchopleural fistula was retrospectively summarized. There were 13 males and two females with a mean age of 61.7 years. Ten cases had previous posterolateral thoracotomy and four cases underwent minimally invasive surgery. After conservative and endoscopic therapy, a pedicled latissimus dorsi muscle flap, a pectoralis major muscle flap, or a free vastus lateralis myocutaneous flap was harvested from the ipsilateral local thorax or thigh and was transferred to cover the intrathoracic cavity.Results:There was no perioperative death. During a mean follow-up of 14.8 months, one patient was dead, one suffered from a recurrence of refractory empyema, and l3 patients had an uneventful course with no recurrence of refractory empyema and bronchopleural fistula. Postoperative chest computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging showed the empyema cavity was satisfactorily covered with a pedicle or free muscle flap.Conclusions:Muscle flap transplantation is an effective alternative for treating the postoperative refractory empyema with bronchopleural fistula, which can achieve promising short-medium-term results.

Objective:To evaluate the safety and clinical efficacy of transplanting a muscle flap to treat the postoperative refractory empyema with a bronchopleural fistula.Methods:From July 2015 to December 2019, the clinical data of 15 patients who suffered from postoperative refractory empyema with bronchopleural fistula was retrospectively summarized. There were 13 males and two females with a mean age of 61.7 years. Ten cases had previous posterolateral thoracotomy and four cases underwent minimally invasive surgery. After conservative and endoscopic therapy, a pedicled latissimus dorsi muscle flap, a pectoralis major muscle flap, or a free vastus lateralis myocutaneous flap was harvested from the ipsilateral local thorax or thigh and was transferred to cover the intrathoracic cavity.Results:There was no perioperative death. During a mean follow-up of 14.8 months, one patient was dead, one suffered from a recurrence of refractory empyema, and l3 patients had an uneventful course with no recurrence of refractory empyema and bronchopleural fistula. Postoperative chest computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging showed the empyema cavity was satisfactorily covered with a pedicle or free muscle flap.Conclusions:Muscle flap transplantation is an effective alternative for treating the postoperative refractory empyema with bronchopleural fistula, which can achieve promising short-medium-term results.