PURPOSE: The rate of complications among patients undergoing surgery has increased due to infection with SARS-CoV-2 and other variants of concern. However, Omicron has shown decreased pathogenicity, raising questions about the risk of postoperative complications among patients who are infected with this variant. This study aimed to investigate complications and related factors among patients with recent Omicron infection prior to undergoing orthopedic surgery. METHODS: A historical control study was conducted. Data were collected from all patients who underwent surgery during 2 distinct periods: (1) between Dec 12, 2022 and Jan 31, 2023 (COVID-19 positive group), (2) between Dec 12, 2021 and Jan 31, 2022 (COVID-19 negative control group). The patients were at least 18 years old. Patients who received conservative treatment after admission or had high-risk diseases or special circumstances (use of anticoagulants before surgery) were excluded from the study. The study outcomes were the total complication rate and related factors. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify related factors, and odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated to assess the impact of COVID-19 infection on complications. RESULTS: In the analysis, a total of 847 patients who underwent surgery were included, with 275 of these patients testing positive for COVID-19 and 572 testing negative. The COVID-19-positive group had a significantly higher rate of total complications (11.27%) than the control group (4.90%, p < 0.001). After adjusting for relevant factors, the OR was 3.08 (95% CI: 1.45-6.53). Patients who were diagnosed with COVID-19 at 3-4 weeks (OR = 0.20 (95% CI: 0.06-0.59), p = 0.005), 5-6 weeks (OR = 0.16 (95% CI: 0.04-0.59), p = 0.010), or ≥7 weeks (OR = 0.26 (95% CI: 0.06-1.02), p = 0.069) prior to surgery had a lower risk of complications than those who were diagnosed at 0-2 weeks prior to surgery. Seven factors (age, indications for surgery, time of operation, time of COVID-19 diagnosis prior to surgery, C-reactive protein levels, alanine transaminase levels, and aspartate aminotransferase levels) were found to be associated with complications; thus, these factors were used to create a nomogram. CONCLUSION Omicron continues to be a significant factor in the incidence of postoperative complications among patients undergoing orthopedic surgery. By identifying the factors associated with these complications, we can determine the optimal surgical timing, provide more accurate prognostic information, and offer appropriate consultation for orthopedic surgery patients who have been infected with Omicron.
Humans ; COVID-19/complications* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications/epidemiology* ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Orthopedic Procedures/adverse effects* ; Aged ; Nomograms ; Adult ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors

The relationship between hyperuricemia (HUA) and erectile dysfunction (ED) remains inadequately understood. Given that HUA is often associated with various metabolic disorders, this study aims to explore the multivariate linear impacts of metabolic parameters on erectile function in ED patients with HUA. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted involving 514 ED patients with HUA in the Department of Andrology, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine (Nanjing, China), aged 18 to 60 years. General demographic information, medical history, and laboratory results were collected to assess metabolic disturbances. Sexual function was evaluated using the 5-item version of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) questionnaire. Based on univariate analysis, variables associated with IIEF-5 scores were identified, and the correlations between them were evaluated. The effects of these variables on IIEF-5 scores were further explored by multiple linear regression models. Fasting plasma glucose ( β = -0.628, P < 0.001), uric acid ( β = -0.552, P < 0.001), triglycerides ( β = -0.088, P = 0.047), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( β = -0.164, P = 0.027), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c; β = -0.562, P = 0.012), and smoking history ( β = -0.074, P = 0.037) exhibited significant negative impacts on erectile function. The coefficient of determination ( R ²) for the model was 0.239, and the adjusted R ² was 0.230, indicating overall statistical significance ( F -statistic = 26.52, P < 0.001). Metabolic parameters play a crucial role in the development of ED. Maintaining normal metabolic indices may aid in the prevention and improvement of erectile function in ED patients with HUA.
Humans ; Male ; Erectile Dysfunction/metabolism* ; Hyperuricemia/metabolism* ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Glycated Hemoglobin/metabolism* ; Blood Glucose/metabolism* ; Uric Acid/blood* ; Young Adult ; Triglycerides/blood* ; Adolescent ; Cholesterol, LDL/blood* ; Penile Erection/physiology* ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the distribution of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome types of and influencing factors on ED with hyperuricemia. METHODS: Based on the clinical data on 271 cases of ED with hyperuricemia admitted to our Department of Andrology, we studied the characteristics of syndrome elements, summarized the TCM syndrome types, and investigated the influencing factors on the distribution of the syndrome types by factor analysis and cluster analysis. RESULTS: By factor analysis of the data collected on TCM symptoms, 12 common factors and 15 syndrome type elements were identified, including disease type syndrome elements dampness, phlegm, heat, qi stagnation, blood stasis, qi deficiency, blood deficiency, yin deficiency, yang deficiency and essence deficiency, and disease-location syndrome elements kidney, liver, spleen, limbs and joints. Common factor cluster analysis revealed the main TCM syndrome types kidney deficiency damp-heat syndrome, spleen and kidney deficiency syndrome, liver depression and kidney deficiency syndrome, kidney deficiency and blood stasis syndrome, and the main influencing factors on the distribution of syndrome types including uric acid, systolic blood pressure, urea, obesity and so on. CONCLUSION The main TCM syndrome types of ED with hyperuricemia include kidney deficiency damp-heat syndrome, spleen and kidney deficiency syndrome, liver depression and kidney deficiency syndrome, kidney deficiency and blood stasis syndrome, and the related influencing factors can be used as an objective basis for the differentiation of TCM syndromes.
Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Hyperuricemia/complications* ; Male ; Cluster Analysis

OBJECTIVE: High-altitude hypoxia exposure often damages hippocampus-dependent learning and memory. Nogo-A is an important axonal growth inhibitory factor. However, its function in high-altitude hypoxia and its mechanism of action remain unclear. METHODS: In an in vivo study, a low-pressure oxygen chamber was used to simulate high-altitude hypoxia, and genetic or pharmacological intervention was used to block the Nogo-A/NgR1 signaling pathway. Contextual fear conditioning and Morris water maze behavioral tests were used to assess learning and memory in rats, and synaptic damage in the hippocampus and changes in oxidative stress levels were observed. In vitro, SH-SY5Y cells were used to assess oxidative stress and mitochondrial function with or without Nogo-A knockdown in Oxygen Glucose-Deprivation/Reperfusion (OGD/R) models. RESULTS: Exposure to acute high-altitude hypoxia for 3 or 7 days impaired learning and memory in rats, triggered oxidative stress in the hippocampal tissue, and reduced the dendritic spine density of hippocampal neurons. Blocking the Nogo-A/NgR1 pathway ameliorated oxidative stress, synaptic damage, and the learning and memory impairment induced by high-altitude exposure. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate the detrimental role of Nogo-A protein in mediating learning and memory impairment under high-altitude hypoxia and suggest the potential of the Nogo-A/NgR1 signaling pathway as a crucial therapeutic target for alleviating learning and memory dysfunction induced by high-altitude exposure. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT available in www.besjournal.com.
Animals ; Oxidative Stress ; Hippocampus/metabolism* ; Rats ; Nogo Proteins/genetics* ; Male ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Hypoxia/metabolism* ; Altitude ; Synapses ; Humans ; Altitude Sickness/metabolism*

In the past few decades,supercritical fluid chromatography(SFC)as a supplement to liquid chromatography(LC)separation technology has attracted people's interest,especially in the combination of SFC and mass spectrometry(MS),which has shown important application prospects in metabolomics,lipidomics,and other fields.Compared to the interface of LC-MS,the interface of SFC-MS presents some unique challenges that require special solutions to be designed.This article categorizes and summarizes the existing interfaces used for SFC-MS,focuses on the impact of different interface designs on detection performance,provides the applicable characteristics of different types of interfaces,and finally briefly introduces the application progress of SFC-MS in different fields.

The biological characteristics and pathogenicity of Klebsiella oxytoca isolated from sick carrier pigeons in Gansu province were explored by morphological observations,biochemical testing,16S rRNA PCR analysis,and RNA sequencing.The drug resistance and pathogenicity of the isolated strains were studied by histopathological observation,drug susceptibility testing,and pathogenicity analysis.The livers,lungs,hearts,and other organs of the sick pigeons were bleeding.In addition,the livers were yellow and brittle,and the lungs were purulent.A Gram-negative,short,rod-shaped bacterium was successfully isolated from the sick pigeon.Pink,smooth,moist,and round colonies grew on MacConkey's agar.The result of the indigo matrix test was positive.The homology between the amplified 16S rRNA sequence and MN330093.1 was 100.00％,indicating that the sick pigeon was infected with K.oxytoca.The strain was named GS-BY-GG.K.Oxytoca GS-BY-GG was resistant to 10 drugs,including penicillin,ampicillin,and furazolidone,and sensitive to 5 others,which included florfenicol,meropenem,and gentamicin.Histopathological observation showed bleeding in multiple organs.The liver cells were irregu-larly arranged with brown-yellow pigmentation.Extensive cell necrosis and exfoliation were observed in the trachea and mucosal epithelium,with inflammatory cell infiltration in the mucosal layer.The isolates were highly pathogenic in specific pathogen-free chickens.These findings provide support for the clinical diagnosis and control of K.oxytoca GS-BY-GG.

AIM: To investigate the changes of protein expressions in human lens epithelial cells(SRA01/04)undergoing oxidative damage, hoping to provide new protein target for the pathogenesis of age-related cataract(ARC).METHODS: SRA01/04 cells were divided into experimental group and control group. In the experimental group, cells were irradiated with ultraviolet-B(UVB)for 10min to establish the model of oxidative damage, whereas cells in the control group were untreated. Protein expression profile from the two groups was sequenced by isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation(iTRAQ). The filtering criteria that fold change >1.2 and p<0.05 was used to determine the differentially expressed proteins(DEPs). Gene Ontology(GO)and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)database were utilized for functional enrichment analysis of the top 50 DEPs with either up-regulated or down-regulated significance. Furthermore, Pathway commons software was used to establish the protein-protein interaction(PPI)network.RESULTS: Overall, 552 DEPs were screened out. A total of 176 DEPs were up-regulated in the experimental group compared with the control group, including HMGB1 and USP1, while 376 DEPs were down-regulated, including POLR2A and POLR2B. GO and KEGG enrichment analysis indicated that the top 50 DEPs with up-regulated or down-regulated significance were involved in various crucial biological processes and signaling pathways. PPI network revealed that oxidative damage repair(ODR)-related proteins might play a key role in UVB-induced oxidative damage.CONCLUSIONS: The expressions of multiple proteins, especially ODR-related proteins, can be altered in SRA01/04 cells via UVB irradiation. These findings may provide cellular-related insights into the pathogenesis of ARC and into proteins or pathways associated with therapeutic targets.

Objective To evaluate the effects of various polysorbates(PS)on the stability of different types of monoclonal antibody(mAb)drugs.Methods Three types of monoclonal antibodies mAbA(IgG1 proantibody drug),mAbB(IgG1 mAb)and mAbC(IgG1 mAb with Fc N297A mutation)were used as model proteins,and different kinds or contents of PS were added into the mAb formulations respectively to investigate the influencing factors.The effects of PS on the stability of mAb drugs were evaluated comprehensively by detecting the changes of quality attributes,such as protein aggregates and insoluble particles.Results PS20 and PS80 showed no significant difference in inhibiting the formation of aggregates and charge variants in the three mAbs(P>0.05),while the addition of PS80 in mAbB and PS20 in mAbC significantly inhibited the increase of insoluble particles respectively(P<0.05);The content of PS20 showed a significant effect on the detection indexes of charge variants and insoluble particles in mAbC(P<0.05).Conclusion Different types of mAbs have different sensitivities to various kinds and contents of PS.Therefore,when designing the formulation of mAbs,it is necessary to select appropriate kinds and contents of PS to further improve the stability of mAb drugs.

Objective: To assess the prevalence, risk factors and treatment of anemia in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Methods: A descriptive method was used to analyze the prevalence and treatment of anemia in CKD patients based on regional health data in Yinzhou District of Ningbo during 2012-2018. The multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent influence factors of anemia in the CKD patients. Results: In 52 619 CKD patients, 15 639 suffered from by anemia (29.72%), in whom 5 461 were men (26.41%) and 10 178 were women (31.87%), and anemia prevalence was higher in women than in men, the difference was significant (P<0.001). The prevalence of anemia increased with stage of CKD (24.77% in stage 1 vs. 69.42% in stage 5, trend χ² test P<0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that being women (aOR=1.57, 95%CI: 1.50-1.63), CKD stage (stage 2: aOR=1.10, 95%CI: 1.04-1.16;stage 3: aOR=2.28,95%CI: 2.12-2.44;stage 4: aOR=4.49,95%CI :3.79-5.32;stage 5: aOR=6.31,95%CI: 4.74-8.39), age (18-30 years old: aOR=2.40,95%CI: 2.24-2.57, 61-75 years old: aOR=1.35,95%CI:1.28-1.42, ≥76 years old: aOR=2.37,95%CI:2.20-2.55), BMI (<18.5 kg/m²:aOR=1.29,95%CI: 1.18-1.41;23.0-24.9 kg/m²:aOR=0.79,95%CI: 0.75-0.83;≥25.0 kg/m²:aOR=0.70,95%CI: 0.66-0.74), abdominal obesity (aOR=0.91, 95%CI: 0.86-0.96), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (aOR=1.15, 95%CI: 1.09-1.22), cancer (aOR=3.03, 95%CI: 2.84-3.23), heart failure (aOR=1.44, 95%CI: 1.35-1.54) and myocardial infarction (aOR=1.54, 95%CI:1.16-2.04) were independent risk factors of anemia in CKD patients. Among stage 3-5 CKD patients with anemia, 12.03% received iron therapy, and 4.78% received treatment with erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) within 12 months after anemia was diagnosed. Conclusions: The prevalence of anemia in CKD patients was high in Yinzhou. However, the treatment rate of iron therapy and ESA were low. More attention should be paid to the anemia management and treatment in CKD patients.

Objective:To compare the differences in the prevalence of mild micro-hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) among patients with cirrhosis by using the psychometric hepatic encephalopathy score (PHES) and the Stroop smartphone application (Encephal App) test.Methods:This prospective, multi-center, real-world study was initiated by the National Clinical Medical Research Center for Infectious Diseases and the Portal Hypertension Alliance and registered with International ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05140837). 354 cases of cirrhosis were enrolled in 19 hospitals across the country. PHES (including digital connection tests A and B, digital symbol tests, trajectory drawing tests, and serial management tests) and the Stroop test were conducted in all of them. PHES was differentiated using standard diagnostic criteria established by the two studies in China and South Korea. The Stroop test was evaluated based on the criteria of the research and development team. The impact of different diagnostic standards or methods on the incidence of MHE in patients with cirrhosis was analyzed. Data between groups were differentiated using the t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, and χ2 test. A kappa test was used to compare the consistency between groups. Results:After PHES, the prevalence of MHE among 354 cases of cirrhosis was 78.53% and 15.25%, respectively, based on Chinese research standards and Korean research normal value standards. However, the prevalence of MHE was 56.78% based on the Stroop test, and the differences in pairwise comparisons among the three groups were statistically significant (kappa = -0.064, P < 0.001). Stratified analysis revealed that the MHE prevalence in three groups of patients with Child-Pugh classes A, B, and C was 74.14%, 83.33%, and 88.24%, respectively, according to the normal value standards of Chinese researchers, while the MHE prevalence rates in three groups of patients with Child-Pugh classes A, B, and C were 8.29%, 23.53%, and 38.24%, respectively, according to the normal value standards of Korean researchers. Furthermore, the prevalence rates of MHE in the three groups of patients with Child-Pugh grades A, B, and C were 52.68%, 58.82%, and 73.53%, respectively, according to the Stroop test standard. However, among the results of each diagnostic standard, the prevalence of MHE showed an increasing trend with an increasing Child-Pugh grade. Further comparison demonstrated that the scores obtained by the number connection test A and the number symbol test were consistent according to the normal value standards of the two studies in China and South Korea ( Z = -0.982, -1.702; P = 0.326, 0.089), while the other three sub-tests had significant differences ( P < 0.001). Conclusion:The prevalence rate of MHE in the cirrhotic population is high, but the prevalence of MHE obtained by using different diagnostic criteria or methods varies greatly. Therefore, in line with the current changes in demographics and disease spectrum, it is necessary to enroll a larger sample size of a healthy population as a control. Moreover, the establishment of more reliable diagnostic scoring criteria will serve as a basis for obtaining accurate MHE incidence and formulating diagnosis and treatment strategies in cirrhotic populations.