PURPOSE: To screen laboratory markers with predictive value in early spinal surgical site infections (SSI) that are diagnosed within 30 days postoperatively. METHODS: Patients who underwent surgical treatment for internal spinal fixation between March 2022 and March 2023 in our hospital were retrospectively studied. The inclusion criteria were aged >18 years, undergoing internal fixation surgery, complete medical records with >30 days of postoperative follow-up, diagnosis was made within 30 days postoperatively, and an informed consent form was obtained. The exclusion criteria were abnormal white blood cell count or neutrophil percentage in the preoperative blood routine and combined diseases that may affect the C-reactive protein (CRP) or procalcitonin (PCT) values, including lower respiratory tract infection, renal insufficiency, and liver disease. We collected patients' personal information, surgical information, and blood laboratory data, including CRP, PCT, lymphocyte-neutrophil ratio, platelet-neutrophil ratio, and routine blood tests on preoperative and postoperative days 3, 5, and 7, from these patients. These data were statistically analyzed to determine which laboratory markers were statistically significant. The diagnostic value and optimal diagnostic threshold of these laboratory markers were further determined by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. RESULTS: A total of 106 patients were enrolled in this study, of whom 8 patients were diagnosed with early SSI. A total of 4 laboratory markers were screened, namely, CRP on postoperative day 7 (optimal diagnostic threshold of ≥64.1 mg/L, sensitivity of 100%, specificity of 76.5%, area under the curve (AUC) of 0.908), PCT on postoperative day 7 (optimal diagnostic threshold of ≥0.2 ng/mL, sensitivity of 87.5%, specificity of 94.1%, AUC of 0.967), lymphocyte count on postoperative day 5 (optimal diagnostic threshold of ≤0.67 × 10⁹/L, sensitivity of 50%, specificity of 95.9%, AUC of 0.760), and lymphocyte count on postoperative day 7 (optimal diagnostic threshold of ≤1.32 × 10⁹/L, sensitivity of 87.5%, specificity of 55.1%, AUC of 0.721). CONCLUSION We concluded that CRP and PCT levels on postoperative day 7 and lymphocyte counts on postoperative days 5 and 7 are useful markers in screening for early spinal SSI.
Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Male ; Female ; Biomarkers/blood* ; Middle Aged ; C-Reactive Protein/analysis* ; Surgical Wound Infection/blood* ; Procalcitonin/blood* ; Adult ; Aged ; Postoperative Period ; ROC Curve ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Spine/surgery*

Cancer immunotherapy has emerged as a promising strategy. However, low response rates and immune-related side effects have plagued immunotherapy. Metallic nanoparticles, utilizing metals as their framework, are gaining prominence in cancer immunotherapy. Metal ions have shown the ability to modulate immune status by activating the cGAS-STING pathway and inducing immunogenic cell death (ICD), thereby enabling multidimensional activation of immunotherapy. Metallic nanoparticles offer significant advantages in cancer immunotherapy, leading to their increasing use in enhancing therapeutic outcomes. In view of the ever-increasing research on metallic nanoparticles, this review presents the construction, characterization, and enhanced cancer immunotherapeutic effects of different types of metal nanosystems from the perspective of the immunoregulatory mechanisms of metal ions. We delve into the current limitations and future directions of metallic nanoparticles in this rapidly evolving field. To the best of our knowledge, this review offers the most up-to-date and systematic analysis of metallic nanoparticles in immunotherapeutic applications. It is anticipated that this review of metallic nanoparticles will inspire a more refined and intelligent design of metallic nanoparticles for future research, paving the way for advancing their clinical applications.

An ideal dermal filler should integrate filling, repair, and anti-aging effects, with immediate tissue augmentation, slow degradation, and progressive stimulation of collagen regeneration. However, commonly used hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogels, while effective for rapid filling, suffer from limited duration of support, weak cell adhesion, and an inability to promote collagen regeneration. Silk fibroin (SF), a natural protein from silkworm cocoons, is known for its excellent cell adhesion and collagen-stimulating abilities. However, its limited gelation capability restricts its potential application as a standalone injectable hydrogel. Based on a complementary strategy, this study combines the rapid gelling properties of HA with the collagen regenerative properties of SF to create a co-crosslinked HA-SF hydrogel. The composite hydrogel merges HA's rapid filling effect with SF's strong tissue adhesion and collagen-stimulating abilities. The formulation, physicochemical properties, degradation, biocompatibility, and filling effects of the HA-SF hydrogel were systematically investigated. HA-SF hydrogel exhibits excellent mechanical properties and ensures long-term support while maintaining injectability. Interestingly, after intradermal injection in the UVB-induced photoaging model, HA-SF hydrogel not only enhances hydrogel-cell interaction but also continues to stimulate collagen regeneration, especially type III collagen. This dual action achieves the biological effects of repair and anti-aging while maintaining the filling effect. Proteomic analysis confirms that repair and anti-aging effects are enhanced by the regulation of skin fibroblasts and modulation of amino acid and lipid metabolism. This composite hydrogel holds strong promise for clinical applications, offering a safer, long-lasting, and more natural injectable filler that combines filling, repair, and anti-aging into one system.

Objective To explore the impact of adipokine metabolism on coronary microvascular dysfunction(MVD)and the clinical application value of Shexiang Tongxin dropping pill(STDP).Methods From Sep.2018 to Dec.2019,41 patients with coronary heart disease in Department of Cardiology,Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine were enrolled and divided into non-MVD group(20 cases)and MVD group(21 cases);29 MVD patients were randomly divided into basic treatment group(14 cases)and STDP group(15 cases)with basic treatment or additional STDP treatment for 3 months;and the patient's complaints,blood biochemical indicators,expression levels of plasma inflammatory factors and adipokines were analyzed.A myocardial ischemia-reperfusion model was established in male C57BL/6 mice aged 12-14 weeks.Mice were divided into sham operation group,ischemia-reperfusion(IR)group(normal saline gavage),and IR+STDP group(STDP gavage),with 5 mice in each group.The levels of plasma inflammatory factors were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay,the microvascular occlusion of the heart tissue was measured by thioflavin-S staining,and the differential expression proteins between the IR group and IR+STDP group were explored by proteomics analysis and verified by Western blotting.Results Compared with the non-MVD group,the MVD group showed a significant increase in plasma leptin level([9.89±2.42]μg/L vs[4.76±1.02]μg/L,P＜0.01),a significant decrease in adiponectin level([5.02±1.3]pg/mL vs[7.19±1.76]pg/mL,P＜0.05),and a significant increase in resistin level([9.20±2.03]μg/L vs[5.70±1.32]μg/L,P＜0.05).Pearson correlation analysis showed a positive correlation between leptin levels and MVD(r=0.82 and P＜0.01).Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the area under curve value of plasma leptin was 0.855(sensitivity 0.714,specificity 0.867,and optimal cutoff value＞9.395 μg/L).After 3 months of treatment,compared with the basic treatment group,the improvement rates of symptoms of chest distress and chest pain in the STDP group were significantly higher(73.3％[11/15]vs 21.4％[3/14]),and the levels of plasma leptin,interleukin-6(IL-6)and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)were significantly lower([11.36±0.54]μg/L vs[12.12±0.85]μg/L,[3.96±1.76]pg/mL vs[8.65±1.29]pg/mL,[24.82±3.07]ng/mL vs[32.45±3.32]ng/mL,all P＜0.05).In animal studies,compared with the IR group,the mice in the IR+STDP group showed a 45％reduction in no-reflow area(P＜0.01)and a 23％reduction in low-reflow and no-reflow areas(P＜0.05)after myocardial ischemia-reperfusion;the expression levels of IL-6 and TNF-α were significantly decreased([378.25±19.66]pg/mL vs[457.32±32.01]pg/mL,[289.71±47.62]pg/mL vs[371.28±41.05]pg/mL,both P＜0.05).Proteomic analysis showed that the expression levels of von Willebrand factor(vWF)and intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1(ICAM-1)in the cardiac tissue of mice in the IR+STDP group were significantly lower than those in the IR group.Western blotting results also showed that the expression levels of vWF and ICAM-1 in the IR+STDP group were significantly lower than those in the IR group(both P＜0.01).Conclusion MVD patients have abnormal adipokine metabolism and high plasma leptin.STDP can improve clinical symptoms of MVD patients,reduce the plasma leptin level and inflammatory indicators,and the mechanism may be related to its antiplatelet and anti-inflammatory effects.

To assess the protective effects of luteolin(LT)on liver fibrosis in rats with autoimmune hepatitis(AIH)and to explore the underlying mechanisms,total of 62 rats were recruited and randomly divided into normal control group(CT),AIH model group(AIH),LT low-dose group(LT L),LT medium-dose group(LT M),LT high-dose group(LT H)and prednisolone group(PSL),with 10 rats in each group.The rat in CT group were injected with an equivalent volume of physiological saline via the tail vein,when the rat in the other groups were received tail vein injection of concanavalin A(Con A)dissolved in physiological saline to induce the AIH model.Then,the rat in LT L,M,and H groups were administered intraperitoneal injections of LT dissolved in physiological saline(at doses of 5,25,and 50 mg/kg,respectively),and the rat in the PSL group received intraperitoneal injections of PSL dissolved in physiological saline(at a dose of 10.0 mg/kg),while the rat in the CT and AIH groups received equivalent volumes of physiological saline intraperitoneally.All treatments were administered twice daily for 7 consecutive days.The day after the last treatment,liver function indices,peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets,and hepatic hydroxyproline content were measured.Furthermore,Masson staining was used to assess the liver fibrosis was assessed using,and Western blot analysis was performed to detect the expression levels of activated nuclear factor κB(NF-κB),phosphorylated NF-κB(p-NF-κB),inhibitor of nuclear factor κBα(IκBα),and phosphorylated IκBα(p-IκBα)proteins in liver tissue.Compared to the CT group,the AIH group exhibited significantly higher serum levels of alanine aminotransferase(ALT),total bilirubin(TBIL),CD4+T lymphocyte ratio,CD4+/CD8+ratio,and hepatic hydroxyproline content(P<0.05),while albumin(ALB)levels and the CD8+T lymphocyte ratio were significantly lower(P<0.05).LT in all doses could reverse these changes mentioned above in AIH rats in a dose-dependent manner(P<0.05),and no significant differences were observed between the LT H group and the PSL group in these parameters(P>0.05).Masson staining results revealed that liver fibrosis in the LT groups was less severe than that in the AIH group,with a clear dose-dependent effect.The PSL group exhibited similar antifibrotic effects to the LT H group.Furthermore,the AIH group showed significantly higher levels of p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65 and p-IκBα/IκBα ratios in liver tissue,as compared to the CT group(P<0.05),while LT could suppress the increase of p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65 and p-IκBα/IκBα ratios(P<0.05)in a dose-dependent manner(P<0.05),and no significant differences in these ratios were observed between the LT H group and the PSL group(P>0.05).Taken together,Luteolin can improve liver function and immune function,and alleviate liver fibrosis by inhibiting the NF-κB pathway in AIH rats.

BACKGROUND:Previous studies have reported inconsistent results with positive,negative,and J-shaped associations between alcohol consumption and the hazard of aortic aneurysm and dissection(AAD).This study aimed to examine the connections between weekly alcohol consumption and the subsequent risk of AAD. METHODS:The UK Biobank study is a population-based cohort study.Weekly alcohol consumption was assessed using self-reported questionnaires and the congenital risk of alcohol consumption was also evaluated using genetic risk score(GRS).Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios(HRs)with 95%confidence intervals(CIs)for the associations between alcohol consumption and AAD.Several sensitivity analyses were performed to assess the robustness of the results. RESULTS:Among the 388,955 participants(mean age:57.1 years,47.4%male),2,895 incident AAD cases were documented during a median follow-up of 12.5 years.Compared with never-drinkers,moderate drinkers(adjusted HR:0.797,95%CI:0.646-0.984,P<0.05)and moderate-heavy drinkers(adjusted HR:0.794,95%CI:0.635-0.992,P<0.05)were significantly associated with a decreased risk of incident AAD.Interaction-based subgroup analysis revealed that the protective effect of moderate drinking was reflected mainly in participants younger than 65 years and women. CONCLUSION:Our findings support a protective effect of moderate alcohol consumption on AAD,but are limited to participants younger than 65 years and women.

BACKGROUND:Previous studies have reported inconsistent results with positive,negative,and J-shaped associations between alcohol consumption and the hazard of aortic aneurysm and dissection(AAD).This study aimed to examine the connections between weekly alcohol consumption and the subsequent risk of AAD. METHODS:The UK Biobank study is a population-based cohort study.Weekly alcohol consumption was assessed using self-reported questionnaires and the congenital risk of alcohol consumption was also evaluated using genetic risk score(GRS).Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios(HRs)with 95%confidence intervals(CIs)for the associations between alcohol consumption and AAD.Several sensitivity analyses were performed to assess the robustness of the results. RESULTS:Among the 388,955 participants(mean age:57.1 years,47.4%male),2,895 incident AAD cases were documented during a median follow-up of 12.5 years.Compared with never-drinkers,moderate drinkers(adjusted HR:0.797,95%CI:0.646-0.984,P<0.05)and moderate-heavy drinkers(adjusted HR:0.794,95%CI:0.635-0.992,P<0.05)were significantly associated with a decreased risk of incident AAD.Interaction-based subgroup analysis revealed that the protective effect of moderate drinking was reflected mainly in participants younger than 65 years and women. CONCLUSION:Our findings support a protective effect of moderate alcohol consumption on AAD,but are limited to participants younger than 65 years and women.

BACKGROUND:Previous studies have reported inconsistent results with positive,negative,and J-shaped associations between alcohol consumption and the hazard of aortic aneurysm and dissection(AAD).This study aimed to examine the connections between weekly alcohol consumption and the subsequent risk of AAD. METHODS:The UK Biobank study is a population-based cohort study.Weekly alcohol consumption was assessed using self-reported questionnaires and the congenital risk of alcohol consumption was also evaluated using genetic risk score(GRS).Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios(HRs)with 95%confidence intervals(CIs)for the associations between alcohol consumption and AAD.Several sensitivity analyses were performed to assess the robustness of the results. RESULTS:Among the 388,955 participants(mean age:57.1 years,47.4%male),2,895 incident AAD cases were documented during a median follow-up of 12.5 years.Compared with never-drinkers,moderate drinkers(adjusted HR:0.797,95%CI:0.646-0.984,P<0.05)and moderate-heavy drinkers(adjusted HR:0.794,95%CI:0.635-0.992,P<0.05)were significantly associated with a decreased risk of incident AAD.Interaction-based subgroup analysis revealed that the protective effect of moderate drinking was reflected mainly in participants younger than 65 years and women. CONCLUSION:Our findings support a protective effect of moderate alcohol consumption on AAD,but are limited to participants younger than 65 years and women.

BACKGROUND:Previous studies have reported inconsistent results with positive,negative,and J-shaped associations between alcohol consumption and the hazard of aortic aneurysm and dissection(AAD).This study aimed to examine the connections between weekly alcohol consumption and the subsequent risk of AAD. METHODS:The UK Biobank study is a population-based cohort study.Weekly alcohol consumption was assessed using self-reported questionnaires and the congenital risk of alcohol consumption was also evaluated using genetic risk score(GRS).Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios(HRs)with 95%confidence intervals(CIs)for the associations between alcohol consumption and AAD.Several sensitivity analyses were performed to assess the robustness of the results. RESULTS:Among the 388,955 participants(mean age:57.1 years,47.4%male),2,895 incident AAD cases were documented during a median follow-up of 12.5 years.Compared with never-drinkers,moderate drinkers(adjusted HR:0.797,95%CI:0.646-0.984,P<0.05)and moderate-heavy drinkers(adjusted HR:0.794,95%CI:0.635-0.992,P<0.05)were significantly associated with a decreased risk of incident AAD.Interaction-based subgroup analysis revealed that the protective effect of moderate drinking was reflected mainly in participants younger than 65 years and women. CONCLUSION:Our findings support a protective effect of moderate alcohol consumption on AAD,but are limited to participants younger than 65 years and women.

BACKGROUND:Previous studies have reported inconsistent results with positive,negative,and J-shaped associations between alcohol consumption and the hazard of aortic aneurysm and dissection(AAD).This study aimed to examine the connections between weekly alcohol consumption and the subsequent risk of AAD. METHODS:The UK Biobank study is a population-based cohort study.Weekly alcohol consumption was assessed using self-reported questionnaires and the congenital risk of alcohol consumption was also evaluated using genetic risk score(GRS).Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios(HRs)with 95%confidence intervals(CIs)for the associations between alcohol consumption and AAD.Several sensitivity analyses were performed to assess the robustness of the results. RESULTS:Among the 388,955 participants(mean age:57.1 years,47.4%male),2,895 incident AAD cases were documented during a median follow-up of 12.5 years.Compared with never-drinkers,moderate drinkers(adjusted HR:0.797,95%CI:0.646-0.984,P<0.05)and moderate-heavy drinkers(adjusted HR:0.794,95%CI:0.635-0.992,P<0.05)were significantly associated with a decreased risk of incident AAD.Interaction-based subgroup analysis revealed that the protective effect of moderate drinking was reflected mainly in participants younger than 65 years and women. CONCLUSION:Our findings support a protective effect of moderate alcohol consumption on AAD,but are limited to participants younger than 65 years and women.