OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical features of patients with necrotizing soft tissue infection (NSTI) and the related factors for sepsis, so as to provide a basis for early intervention and improvement of patients' prognosis. METHODS: A retrospective case series study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of NSTI patients admitted to the department of burns and wound repair surgery of Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital from October 2021 to December 2024. Demographic information, underlying diseases, infection characteristics, laboratory test results and etiological findings at admission, treatment status, occurrence of complications (including sepsis) and prognosis were collected. Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analyses were used to identify the associated factors for sepsis in NSTI patients. Receiver operator characteristic curves (ROC curves) were plotted to evaluate the predictive value of individual and combined factors for sepsis. RESULTS: A total of 159 NSTI patients were enrolled, mainly middle-aged and elderly males. Most patients had comorbidities, including diabetes mellitus (110 cases, 69.2%) and hypertension (67 cases, 42.1%). The main infection site was the lower extremities (104 cases, 65.4%). Common symptoms included redness (96 cases, 60.4%), swelling (129 cases, 81.1%), local heat (60 cases, 37.7%), pain (100 cases, 62.9%), and skin ulceration or necrosis (9 cases, 5.7%). Imaging findings included soft tissue swelling (66 cases, 57.9%), gas accumulation (41 cases, 36.0%), and abnormal signal/density shadows (50 cases, 43.9%). Staphylococcus aureus was the main pathogenic bacterium [12.0% (31/259)], and drug-resistant Escherichia coli had the highest detection rate among drug-resistant bacteria [35.1% (13/37)]. Regarding debridement and repair, most patients (80 cases, 50.3%) underwent debridement ≥ 72 hours after admission, while only 10.1% (16 cases) received debridement within 6 hours. Most patients underwent multiple debridements, with 2 times of debridements being the most common (68 cases, 42.8%), and the maximum times of debridements reached 6. The largest number of patients received secondary suture (44 cases, 27.7%). In terms of complications, sepsis was the most common (66 cases, 41.51%), followed by acute kidney injury, respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation, and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS), while disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) was the least common. During the follow-up period, 9 patients (5.66%) were readmitted within 90 days, and 11 patients died, with a mortality rate of 6.92%. Univariate analysis showed that diabetes, coronary heart disease, gout, body temperature, heart rate, C-reactive protein, platelet count, total bilirubin, albumin, creatinine, out-of-hospital treatment, and out-of-hospital use of antimicrobial agents were significantly associated with sepsis in NSTI patients (all P < 0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that coronary heart disease [odds ratio (OR) = 30.085, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) was 2.105-956.935], C-reactive protein (OR = 1.026, 95%CI was 1.009-1.054), and total bilirubin (OR = 1.436, 95%CI was 1.188-1.948) were independent associated factors for sepsis in NSTI patients (all P < 0.05). ROC curve analysis revealed that the combination of the three predictors yielded the highest AUC for predicting sepsis in NSTI patients compared to any individual predictor [area under the curve (AUC) = 0.799 (95%CI was 0.721-0.878)]. CONCLUSIONS The clinical features of NSTI patients show certain regularity. Coronary heart disease, C-reactive protein, and total bilirubin are independent associated factors for sepsis in NSTI patients.
Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Male ; Sepsis ; Soft Tissue Infections/microbiology* ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Adult ; Prognosis ; Risk Factors ; Necrosis ; Logistic Models ; Fasciitis, Necrotizing

Objective:To investigate the incidence of postoperative complications in Chinese patients with gastric or colorectal cancer, and to evaluate the risk factors for postoperative complications.Methods:This was a national, multicenter, prospective, registry-based, cohort study of data obtained from the database of the Prevalence of Abdominal Complications After Gastro- enterological Surgery (PACAGE) study sponsored by the China Gastrointestinal Cancer Surgical Union. The PACAGE database prospectively collected general demographic characteristics, protocols for perioperative treatment, and variables associated with postoperative complications in patients treated for gastric or colorectal cancer in 20 medical centers from December 2018 to December 2020. The patients were grouped according to the presence or absence of postoperative complications. Postoperative complications were categorized and graded in accordance with the expert consensus on postoperative complications in gastrointestinal oncology surgery and Clavien-Dindo grading criteria. The incidence of postoperative complications of different grades are presented as bar charts. Independent risk factors for occurrence of postoperative complications were identified by multifactorial unconditional logistic regression.Results:The study cohort comprised 3926 patients with gastric or colorectal cancer, 657 (16.7%) of whom had a total of 876 postoperative complications. Serious complications (Grade III and above) occurred in 4.0% of patients (156/3926). The rate of Grade V complications was 0.2% (7/3926). The cohort included 2271 patients with gastric cancer with a postoperative complication rate of 18.1% (412/2271) and serious complication rate of 4.7% (106/2271); and 1655 with colorectal cancer, with a postoperative complication rate of 14.8% (245/1655) and serious complication rate of 3.0% (50/1655). The incidences of anastomotic leakage in patients with gastric and colorectal cancer were 3.3% (74/2271) and 3.4% (56/1655), respectively. Abdominal infection was the most frequently occurring complication, accounting for 28.7% (164/572) and 39.5% (120/304) of postoperative complications in patients with gastric and colorectal cancer, respectively. The most frequently occurring grade of postoperative complication was Grade II, accounting for 65.4% (374/572) and 56.6% (172/304) of complications in patients with gastric and colorectal cancers, respectively. Multifactorial analysis identified (1) the following independent risk factors for postoperative complications in patients in the gastric cancer group: preoperative comorbidities (OR=2.54, 95%CI: 1.51-4.28, P<0.001), neoadjuvant therapy (OR=1.42, 95%CI:1.06-1.89, P=0.020), high American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) scores (ASA score 2 points:OR=1.60, 95% CI: 1.23-2.07, P<0.001, ASA score ≥3 points:OR=0.43, 95% CI: 0.25-0.73, P=0.002), operative time >180 minutes (OR=1.81, 95% CI: 1.42-2.31, P<0.001), intraoperative bleeding >50 mL (OR=1.29,95%CI: 1.01-1.63, P=0.038), and distal gastrectomy compared with total gastrectomy (OR=0.65,95%CI: 0.51-0.83, P<0.001); and (2) the following independent risk factors for postoperative complications in patients in the colorectal cancer group: female (OR=0.60, 95%CI: 0.44-0.80, P<0.001), preoperative comorbidities (OR=2.73, 95%CI: 1.25-5.99, P=0.030), neoadjuvant therapy (OR=1.83, 95%CI:1.23-2.72, P=0.008), laparoscopic surgery (OR=0.47, 95%CI: 0.30-0.72, P=0.022), and abdominoperineal resection compared with low anterior resection (OR=2.74, 95%CI: 1.71-4.41, P<0.001). Conclusion:Postoperative complications associated with various types of infection were the most frequent complications in patients with gastric or colorectal cancer. Although the risk factors for postoperative complications differed between patients with gastric cancer and those with colorectal cancer, the presence of preoperative comorbidities, administration of neoadjuvant therapy, and extent of surgical resection, were the commonest factors associated with postoperative complications in patients of both categories.

Objective:To investigate the incidence of postoperative complications in Chinese patients with gastric or colorectal cancer, and to evaluate the risk factors for postoperative complications.Methods:This was a national, multicenter, prospective, registry-based, cohort study of data obtained from the database of the Prevalence of Abdominal Complications After Gastro- enterological Surgery (PACAGE) study sponsored by the China Gastrointestinal Cancer Surgical Union. The PACAGE database prospectively collected general demographic characteristics, protocols for perioperative treatment, and variables associated with postoperative complications in patients treated for gastric or colorectal cancer in 20 medical centers from December 2018 to December 2020. The patients were grouped according to the presence or absence of postoperative complications. Postoperative complications were categorized and graded in accordance with the expert consensus on postoperative complications in gastrointestinal oncology surgery and Clavien-Dindo grading criteria. The incidence of postoperative complications of different grades are presented as bar charts. Independent risk factors for occurrence of postoperative complications were identified by multifactorial unconditional logistic regression.Results:The study cohort comprised 3926 patients with gastric or colorectal cancer, 657 (16.7%) of whom had a total of 876 postoperative complications. Serious complications (Grade III and above) occurred in 4.0% of patients (156/3926). The rate of Grade V complications was 0.2% (7/3926). The cohort included 2271 patients with gastric cancer with a postoperative complication rate of 18.1% (412/2271) and serious complication rate of 4.7% (106/2271); and 1655 with colorectal cancer, with a postoperative complication rate of 14.8% (245/1655) and serious complication rate of 3.0% (50/1655). The incidences of anastomotic leakage in patients with gastric and colorectal cancer were 3.3% (74/2271) and 3.4% (56/1655), respectively. Abdominal infection was the most frequently occurring complication, accounting for 28.7% (164/572) and 39.5% (120/304) of postoperative complications in patients with gastric and colorectal cancer, respectively. The most frequently occurring grade of postoperative complication was Grade II, accounting for 65.4% (374/572) and 56.6% (172/304) of complications in patients with gastric and colorectal cancers, respectively. Multifactorial analysis identified (1) the following independent risk factors for postoperative complications in patients in the gastric cancer group: preoperative comorbidities (OR=2.54, 95%CI: 1.51-4.28, P<0.001), neoadjuvant therapy (OR=1.42, 95%CI:1.06-1.89, P=0.020), high American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) scores (ASA score 2 points:OR=1.60, 95% CI: 1.23-2.07, P<0.001, ASA score ≥3 points:OR=0.43, 95% CI: 0.25-0.73, P=0.002), operative time >180 minutes (OR=1.81, 95% CI: 1.42-2.31, P<0.001), intraoperative bleeding >50 mL (OR=1.29,95%CI: 1.01-1.63, P=0.038), and distal gastrectomy compared with total gastrectomy (OR=0.65,95%CI: 0.51-0.83, P<0.001); and (2) the following independent risk factors for postoperative complications in patients in the colorectal cancer group: female (OR=0.60, 95%CI: 0.44-0.80, P<0.001), preoperative comorbidities (OR=2.73, 95%CI: 1.25-5.99, P=0.030), neoadjuvant therapy (OR=1.83, 95%CI:1.23-2.72, P=0.008), laparoscopic surgery (OR=0.47, 95%CI: 0.30-0.72, P=0.022), and abdominoperineal resection compared with low anterior resection (OR=2.74, 95%CI: 1.71-4.41, P<0.001). Conclusion:Postoperative complications associated with various types of infection were the most frequent complications in patients with gastric or colorectal cancer. Although the risk factors for postoperative complications differed between patients with gastric cancer and those with colorectal cancer, the presence of preoperative comorbidities, administration of neoadjuvant therapy, and extent of surgical resection, were the commonest factors associated with postoperative complications in patients of both categories.

Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics of patients with Vibrio vulnificus infection, share diagnosis and treatment experience, and establish a rapid diagnosis procedure for this disease. Methods:This study was a retrospective case series study. From January 2009 to November 2022, 11 patients with Vibrio vulnificus infection who met the inclusion criteria were admitted to the Department of Burns and Wound Repair of Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital Affiliated to Southern Medical University. The gender, age, time of onset of illness, time of admission, time of diagnosis, route of infection, underlying diseases, affected limbs, clinical manifestations and signs on admission, white blood cell count, hemoglobin, platelet count, C-reactive protein (CRP), alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), creatinine, procalcitonin, albumin, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), and blood sodium levels on admission, culture results and metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) results of pathogenic bacteria and the Vibrio vulnificus drug susceptibility test results during hospitalization, treatment methods, length of hospital stay, and outcomes of all patients were recorded. Comparative analysis was conducted on the admission time and diagnosis time of patients with and without a history of exposure to seawater/marine products, as well as the fatality ratio and amputation of limbs/digits ratio of patients with and without early adequate antibiotic treatment. For the survived patients with hand involvement, the hand function was assessed using Brunnstrom staging at the last follow-up. Based on patients' clinical characteristics and treatment conditions, a rapid diagnosis procedure for Vibrio vulnificus infection was established. Results:There were 7 males and 4 females among the patients, aged (56±17) years. Most of the patients developed symptoms in summer and autumn. The admission time was 3.00 (1.00, 4.00) d after the onset of illness, and the diagnosis time was 4.00 (2.00, 8.00) d after the onset of illness. There were 7 and 4 patients with and without a history of contact with seawater/marine products, respectively, and the admission time of these two types of patients was similar ( P>0.05). The diagnosis time of patients with a history of contact with seawater/marine products was 2.00 (2.00, 5.00) d after the onset of illness, which was significantly shorter than 9.00 (4.25, 13.00) d after the onset of illness for patients without a history of contact with seawater/marine products ( Z=-2.01, P<0.05). Totally 10 patients had underlying diseases. The affected limbs were right-hand in 8 cases, left-hand in 1 case, and lower limb in 2 cases. On admission, a total of 9 patients had fever; 11 patients had pain at the infected site, and redness and swelling of the affected limb, and 9 patients each had ecchymosis/necrosis and blisters/blood blisters; 6 patients suffered from shock, and 2 patients developed multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. On admission, there were 8 patients with abnormal white blood cell count, hemoglobin, and albumin levels, 10 patients with abnormal CRP, procalcitonin, and NT-proBNP levels, 5 patients with abnormal creatinine and blood sodium levels, and fewer patients with abnormal platelet count, ALT, and AST levels. During hospitalization, 4 of the 11 wound tissue/exudation samples had positive pathogenic bacterial culture results, and the result reporting time was 5.00 (5.00, 5.00) d; 4 of the 9 blood specimens had positive pathogenic bacterial culture results, and the result reporting time was 3.50 (1.25, 5.00) d; the mNGS results of 7 wound tissue/exudation or blood samples were all positive, and the result reporting time was 1.00 (1.00, 2.00) d. The three strains of Vibrio vulnificus detected were sensitive to 10 commonly used clinical antibiotics, including ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, and amikacin, etc. A total of 10 patients received surgical treatment, 4 of whom had amputation of limbs/digits; all patients received anti-infection treatment. The length of hospital stay of 11 patients was (26±11) d, of whom 9 patients were cured and 2 patients died. Compared with that of the 6 patients who did not receive early adequate antibiotic treatment, the 5 patients who received early adequate antibiotic treatment had no significant changes in the fatality ratio or amputation of limbs/digits ratio ( P>0.05). In 3 months to 2 years after surgery, the hand function of 8 patients was assessed, with results showing 4 cases of disabled hands, 2 cases of incompletely disabled hands, and 2 cases of recovered hands. When a patient had clinical symptoms of limb redness and swelling and a history of contact with seawater/marine products or a pre-examination triage RiCH score of Vibrio vulnificus sepsis ≥1, the etiological testing should be initiated immediately to quickly diagnose Vibrio vulnificus infection. Conclusions:Vibrio vulnificus infection occurs most frequently in summer and autumn, with clinical manifestations and laboratory test results showing obvious infection characteristics, and may be accompanied by damage to multiple organ functions. Both the fatality and disability ratios are high and have a great impact on the function of the affected limbs. Early diagnosis is difficult and treatment is easily delayed, but mNGS could facilitate rapid detection. For patients with red and swollen limbs accompanied by a history of contact with seawater/marine products or with a pre-examination triage RiCH score of Vibrio vulnificus sepsis ≥1, the etiological testing should be initiated immediately to quickly diagnose Vibrio vulnificus infection.

Objective: To study the correlation between electronic screen use and myopia among primary and secondary school students in six provinces and cities in China, in order to provide a scientific basis for comprehensive prevention and control of myopia. Methods: From November 2020 to June 2022, a total of 16 557 primary and secondary school students from six provinces and cities in China (Beijing City, Liaoning Province, Zhejiang Province, Henan Province, Shaanxi Province, Chongqing City) were selected by stratified cluster random sampling and probability smampling methods, and a questionnaire prepared by Beijing Center for Disease Control and Prevention was used to investigate their electronic screen use. According to Screening Criteria for Myopia in Children and Adolescents, 0.5% mass concentration of compound topicamide eye drops was used to paralyze the ciliary muscle and undergo slit lamp optometry. Chisquare test was used to compare the differences between groups, and binary Logistic regression was used to analyze the association between electronic screen use and myopia. Results: About 58.3% of primary and secondary school students used electronic screens for more than two hours a day on average, and 63.4% of primary and secondary school students used continuously electronic products for more than 15 minutes at a time for nonstudy purposes. After adjusting for confounding factors, parents unrestricted use of electronic screen time and electronic screen time ≥2 h/d were positively correlated with myopia (OR=1.27, 1.13, P<0.05). Gender stratified analysis showed that boys who used electronic screen time ≥2 h/d had a higher risk of myopia (OR=1.15, P<0.05). The results of grade stratification analysis showed that parents unrestricted electronic screen use time and electronic screen time ≥2 h/d were positively correlated with myopia in the lower grade of primary school students (OR=1.34, 1.18, P<0.05). Among the higher grade of primary school students, continuous use of electronic screens for nonstudy purposes for more than 15 minutes at one time was positively correlated with myopia (OR=1.18, P<0.05). There was a multiplicative interaction between total screen time and one continuous screen time (OR=1.04, P<0.05). Conclusions Primary and secondary students in six provinces and cities in China reports excessive electronic screen usage which is associated with myopia. Schools and parents should jointly limit the use of electronic screen among primary and secondary students to reduce the occurrence of myopia.

Background Gene sequencing industry is an emerging innovation-driven industry. Employees have high requirements for independent learning and innovation ability and face great professional pressure. Objective To understand the occupational stress, depression, and sleep of gene sequencing enterprise employees and to analyze the effect of occupational stress on depression and sleep. Methods From November to December 2021, occupational stress, depression, and sleep conditions of 469 workers from 34 enterprises in gene sequencing industry were surveyed by Core Occupational Stress Scale (COSS), Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). A total of 427 valid questionnaires were recovered with a questionnaire valid response rate of 91.04%. The relationship of occupational stress with depression or sleep was analyzed by logistic regression. Results The rates of occupational stress, depression, and sleep disorder were 27.40%, 33.50%, and 28.10%, respectively. Significant difference were found in the rates of depression and sleep disorder in different occupational stress groups (P<0.05). The results of logistic regression analysis showed that, for every 1 increase in social support score, the risk of depression increased by 1.206 (95%CI: 1.117−1.304), and the risk of sleep disorder increased by 1.143 (95%CI: 1.059−1.233). For every 1 increase in organization and reward score, the risk of developing depression increased by 1.082 (95%CI: 1.017−1.151). Mild, moderate, and severe occupational stress were all associated with a higher risk of depression in reference to no occupational stress (OR=2.535, 95%CI: 1.465−4.386; OR=3.774, 95%CI: 1.809−7.870; OR=3.823, 95%CI: 1.486−9.837). Severe occupational stress was associated with a higher risk of sleep disorder in reference to no occupational stress (OR=3.141, 95%CI: 1.233−8.006). Conclusion Occupational stress among employees in the gene sequencing industry can increase the risks of depression and sleep disorder. Enterprises need to take intervention measures and pay attention to prevention and treatment.

Objective: To study the effect of activated carbon on the purification of formaldehyde in the clean workshop return air purification device and its influencing factors. Methods: From May to June 2018, choosed 4 different commercial activated carbons (bamboo charcoal, 1-3 mm, 3-5 mm; coconut shell charcoal, 6-12 mesh, 8-16 mesh) to make 5 types of activated carbon purification net. In the simulated clean plant laboratory, the detection of occupational disease hazards was used to test the purification effect of different types of activated carbon purification nets on formaldehyde. Results: The purification effect of different types of activated carbon increased with the prolongation of purification time, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05) . Compared with other types of activated carbon, coconut shell charcoal (8-16 mesh, double layer) had the best purification effect, 15 min and 30 min purification efficiency was 58.72% and 85.20% respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05) . The purification effect of double-layer coconut shell charcoal was better than single layer (P<0.05) . The purification effect of double-layer coconut shell charcoal (8-16 mesh) was better than double-layer coconut shell charcoal (6-12 mesh) , the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05) . Coconut shell charcoal (8-16 mesh, double layer) had better purification effect than bamboo charcoal (P<0.05) . Conclusion Different specific surface area, particle size, and thickness of activated carbon have a certain effect on the purification effect of formaldehyde, and its selection has a certain significance in improving the occupational health protection level in the clean plant, solving the safe use of return air and reducing energy consumption.

Non-coding RNAs ( ncRNA ), including ribosomal RNA( rRNA), transfer RNA( tRNA), MicroRNA ( miRNA), long noncoding RNA(lncRNA) and small nucleolar RNA(snoR-NA), are a class of RNA that have multiple functions and are not translated to proteins. MicroRNA and lncRNA are involved in the injury, remodeling and aging of blood vessels, and it is necessary to understand the regulatory roles of MicroRNA and lncRNA in these processes. It is reported that MicroRNA and lncRNA are not only participated in the regulation of oxidative response, inflammation, cell proliferation and migration, and phenotype transition, they are also involved in the regulation of gene expression by conducting different mechanisms, including transcriptional regulation, post-transcriptional modification and chromatin remodeling. These aspects of regulation by MicroRNA and lncRNA are related to cardiovascular diseases, such as ath-erosclerosis, hypertension, myocardial infarction, stroke, pul-monary hypertension and diabetes, and thus provide a new way for genetic diagnosis and therapy of cardiovascular diseases.

When senescence induction is based on DNA damage, senescent cells display a unique phenotype, which has been termed “senescence-associated secretory phenotype”( SASP ) . SASP, including proinflammatory cytokines, growth factors, chemokines, matrix remodeling enzymes and other cytokines, may be an important driver of chronic inflammation and therefore may be part of a vicious cycle of inflammation, DNA damage and senescence. Senescence-associated secretory products released by such cells can affect the neighboring cells and further exacer-bate their regenerative capacity. SASP is associated with many chronic age-related diseases.

Objective To predict the functions of hsa-miR-1908 promoter using various bioinformatic tools, and to provide clues for further study on transcriptional regulation mechanism of miR-1908 in human adipocytes. Methods The promoter se-quence of miR-1908 was obtained from Ensemble, and then the CpG islands and transcription factor binding sites were pre-dicted by a variety of online bioinformatic tools. Results The length of the miR-1908 promoter sequence was 1 458 bp. The CpG islands, which inhibited the transcription of miR-1908, were located at (438-756) bp, (836-937) bp and (979-1374) bp. Meanwhile, 15 transcription factor binding sites were found in the promoter sequence of miR-1908. Conclusions miRNA up-stream promoter related bioinformatics can not only improve the efficiency of microRNA promoter research, but also provide further important information on transcriptional regulation of miR-1908.