OBJECTIVE To compare the efficacy and safety of dupilumab versus thalidomide in the treatment of refractory prurigo nodularis （PN） in adults. METHODS A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 123 adult patients with refractory PN admitted to Wuhan First Hospital from May 2021 to June 2024. Among them， 63 patients who received dupilumab comprised the observation group and 60 patients who received thalidomide comprised the control group. Clinical efficacy indicators [Investigator Global Assessment （IGA） score， Pruritus Numerical Rating Scale （P-NRS） score， Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure （POEM） score， and Dermatology Life Quality Index （DLQI） score]， allergic biomarkers [eosinophil （EOS） count in peripheral blood and serum total immunoglobulin E （IgE） level]， psychological scores [Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale （HADS）] before and after treatment， as well as the occurrence of adverse drug reaction during treatment， were compared between the two groups. RESULTS Before treatment， there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in above clinical efficacy indicators， allergic biomarkers， or psychological scores （P＞0.05）. At 4， 8， 12 and 16 weeks after treatment， both groups showed significant decreases in IGA score （except for the control group 4 weeks after treatment）， IGA activity score （except for the control group 4 weeks after treatment）， P-NRS score， POEM score， DLQI score （except for the control group 4 weeks after treatment）， serum EOS count， and serum total IgE level compared with baseline （P＜0.05）； at 12 and 16 weeks after treatment， scores on both the HADS-anxiety subscale and HADS-depression subscale were also significantly lower than baseline in both groups （P＜0.05）； the observation group was significantly lower than the control group （P＜0.05）. The overall incidence of adverse events was 12.70% in the observation group， which was significantly lower than 28.33% in the control group （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS Dupilumab treatment in adults with refractory PN demonstrates superior efficacy compared with thalidomide in improving skin lesions， relieving pruritus， reducing peripheral EOS counts and serum total IgE， and improving quality of life and psychological status， while showing a more favorable safety profile.

Objective To investigate the levels of gross α and gross β activities in different water types within a 40-kilometer radius around the Zhangzhou Nuclear Power Plant prior to its operation. Methods In 2018, drinking water samples were collected from the area surrounding the nuclear power plant during both the wet and dry seasons, including source water, treated water, tap water, and well water. The gross α and gross β activity concentrations were measured using a low-background α/β counter, followed by statistical analysis. Results A total of 80 water samples from different sources around the Zhangzhou Nuclear Power Plant were collected. The average gross α and gross β activity concentrations during the wet season were (0.110 ± 0.036) Bq/L and (0.643 ± 0.028) Bq/L, respectively, while those during the dry season were (0.124 ± 0.032) Bq/L and (0.624 ± 0.026) Bq/L, respectively. There were no significant differences in the gross α and gross β activity concentrations between the wet and dry seasons for the overall sample set (P > 0.05). However, there were statistically significant differences in the gross α and gross β activity concentrations between the wet and dry seasons for source water and well water (Z_wet = −2.005, −2.123; Z_dry = −1.943, −3.090; P < 0.05). Conclusion The radioactivity levels in different water types within various ranges around the Zhangzhou Nuclear Power Plant before its operation were determined. The measured activity concentrations were at the same level as those from previous investigations in other regions of Fujian Province.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the short-term effectiveness of Ilizarov technique combined with steel needle internal fixation in treating Charcot neuroarthropathy (CN) of the foot and ankle. METHODS: Between June 2020 and December 2023, 12 patients with Eichenholtz stage Ⅲ CN of the foot and ankle were treated with Ilizarov technique and steel needle internal fixation. There were 9 males and 3 females with an average age of 48.6 years (range, 19-66 years). The disease duration ranged from 1 to 16 months (mean, 6.8 months). Ankle joint involvement predominated in 7 cases, while midfoot involvement occurred in 5 cases; 3 cases presented with skin ulceration and soft tissue infection. Preoperative American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score was 31.2±9.0, 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36)-Physical Component Summary (PCS) score was 32.6±6.8, and Mental Component Summary (MCS) score was 47.8±8.4. Postoperative assessments included wound healing, regular X-ray film/CT evaluations of fusion status, and effectiveness via AOFAS and SF-36-PCS, MCS scores. RESULTS: All operations were successfully completed without neurovascular complication. Two patients experienced delayed wound healing requiring intervention, and the others achieved primary healing. All patients were followed up 15-43 months (mean, 23.3 months). Imaging confirmed successful joint fusion within 13-21 weeks (mean, 16.8 weeks). At last follow-up, the AOFAS score was 72.5±6.4, and the SF-36-PCS and MCS scores were 63.2±8.4 and 76.7±5.3, respectively, all of which improved compared to preoperative levels, with significant differences ( P<0.05). CONCLUSION Ilizarov technique combined with steel needle internal fixation effectively restores walking function and achieves satisfactory short-term effectiveness in CN of the foot and ankle.
Humans ; Middle Aged ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Ilizarov Technique ; Arthropathy, Neurogenic/surgery* ; Aged ; Ankle Joint/surgery* ; Treatment Outcome ; Needles ; Fracture Fixation, Internal/instrumentation* ; Steel ; Young Adult ; Foot Joints/surgery*

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.jpha.2023.08.006.].

Background::Findings on the association of genetic factors and colorectal cancer (CRC) survival are limited and inconsistent, and revealing the mechanism underlying their prognostic roles is of great importance. This study aimed to explore the relationship between functional genetic variations and the prognosis of CRC and further reveal the possible mechanism.Methods::We first systematically performed expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL) analysis using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset. Then, the Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to filter out the survival-related eQTL target genes of CRC patients in two public datasets (TCGA and GSE39582 dataset from the Gene Expression Omnibus database). The seven most potentially functional eQTL single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with six survival-related eQTL target genes were genotyped in 907 Chinese CRC patients with clinical prognosis data. The regulatory mechanism of the survival-related SNP was further confirmed by functional experiments.Results::The rs71630754 regulating the expression of endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidase 1 ( ERAP1) was significantly associated with the prognosis of CRC (additive model, hazard ratio [HR]: 1.43, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.08-1.88, P = 0.012). The results of dual-luciferase reporter assay and electrophoretic mobility shift assay showed that the A allele of the rs71630754 could increase the binding of transcription factor 3 (TCF3) and subsequently reduce the expression of ERAP1. The results of bioinformatic analysis showed that lower expression of ERAP1 could affect the tumor immune microenvironment and was significantly associated with severe survival outcomes. Conclusion::The rs71630754 could influence the prognosis of CRC patients by regulating the expression of the immune-related gene ERAP1. Trial Registration::No. NCT00454519 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/)

Objective:To investigate the relationship between intracerebral high-density foci and progressive stroke (PS) morbidity by using dual-energy CT, which can quantify the intracerebral high-density foci of patients with acute ischemic stroke after endovascular treatment.Methods:Ninety-two patients with acute ischemic stroke who received interventional treatment in Gaozhou People′s Hospital from May 2019 to August 2020, and underwent dual-energy CT scan immediately after intervention, were analyzed. The patients were divided into PS group ( n=35) and non-PS group ( n=57) according to the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, and the patients whose NIHSS score increased≥4 points within 72 hours of stroke were included in the PS group, while the patients whose NIHSS score increased<4 points were included in the non-PS group. The clinical data, volume of high-density foci and CT values were compared between the 2 groups. Logistic regression analysis was used to adjust for confounding factors and screen for risk factors. The correlations of the admission NIHSS score, presence and volume of high-density lesions, maximum CT (CTmax) value and average CT (CTave) value with the onset of PS were analyzed, and the receiver operating characteristic curve was used to screen predictive indicators of PS. Results:In the PS group, the NIHSS score (18.80±8.50 vs 14.40±9.58, t=2.229, P=0.028), proportion of high-density foci [29/35(82.9%) vs 32/57 (56.1%), χ 2=6.928, P=0.008], high-density focal volume [13.23 (39.33) cm 3vs 0.76 (9.82) cm 3, U=1 440.000, P<0.001], CTmax value [80.00 (92.00) HU vs 65.00 (87.50) HU, U=1 337.000, P=0.005] and CTave value [53.48 (23.79) HU vs 45.94 (55.11) HU, U=1 345.000, P=0.004] were higher than those in the non-PS group. The NIHSS score ( OR=1.054, 95% CI 1.004-1.106, P=0.033; rs=0.255, 95% CI 0.051-0.447, P=0.014), presence of high-density foci ( OR=3.776, 95% CI 1.358-10.503, P=0.011; rs=0.274, 95% CI 0.093-0.460, P=0.008), high-density focal volume ( OR=1.026, 95% CI 1.003-1.049, P=0.027; rs=0.381, 95% CI 0.183-0.560, P<0.001), CTmax value ( OR=1.006, 95% CI 1.001-1.011, P=0.014; rs=0.292, 95% CI 0.088-0.475, P=0.005) and CTave value ( OR=1.021, 95% CI 1.007-1.035, P=0.004; rs=0.299, 95% CI 0.092-0.484, P=0.004) were all risk factors affecting PS morbidity and were positively correlated with PS morbidity. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of NIHSS score, high-density lesion volume, CTmax value, and CTave value to predict the onset of PS was 0.652, 0.722, 0.670 and 0.674, respectively. The volume of high-density lesions had moderate predictive value for the onset of PS. Conclusions:For AIS patients, CT examination should be performed immediately after interventional operation. The volume, CTmax value and CTave value of high-density lesions newly appeared in the ischemic area are positively correlated with the onset of PS. Quantifying the volume of high-density lesions can help to predict the onset of PS.

A major impedance to neuronal regeneration after peripheral nerve injury(PNI)is the activation of various programmed cell death mechanisms in the dorsal root ganglion.Ferroptosis is a form of pro-grammed cell death distinguished by imbalance in iron and thiol metabolism,leading to lethal lipid peroxidation.However,the molecular mechanisms of ferroptosis in the context of PNI and nerve regeneration remain unclear.Ferroportin(Fpn),the only known mammalian nonheme iron export protein,plays a pivotal part in inhibiting ferroptosis by maintaining intracellular iron homeostasis.Here,we explored in vitro and in vivo the involvement of Fpn in neuronal ferroptosis.We first delineated that reactive oxygen species at the injury site induces neuronal ferroptosis by increasing intracellular iron via accelerated UBA52-driven ubiquitination and degradation of Fpn,and stimulation of lipid peroxidation.Early administration of the potent arterial vasodilator,hydralazine(HYD),decreases the ubiquitination of Fpn after PNI by binding to UBA52,leading to suppression of neuronal cell death and significant ac-celeration of axon regeneration and motor function recovery.HYD targeting of ferroptosis is a promising strategy for clinical management of PNI.

Objective This study aimed to evaluate the application of digital impression and resin model technology in removable partial dentures(RPD)for Kennedy classⅠandⅡdentition defects.Methods Patients with Kennedy classⅠorⅡdental defect were selected and grouped in accordance with the following denture production processes:digital impression/resin model/cast cobalt-chromium alloy framework group(group A),digital impression/resin model/laser printed titanium framework group(group B),alginate impression/plaster model/cast cobalt-chromium alloy framework group(group C),and alginate impression/plaster model/laser printed titanium framework group(group D),with 40 cases in each group.The final RPD was examined in place in the mouth,and the evaluation indicators included the retention force of clamp ring,the tightness of connector and base,and the accuracy of occlusion.The evaluation scores of each in-dex were used for analysis on the Kruskal-Wallis rank-sum test.Results No statistically significant difference in the score of each index was found among the four groups in RPD.Conclusion The cast cobalt-chromium alloy and laser-printed titanium framework RPD using digital impression and resin model can meet the clinical restoration requirements of patients with Kennedy classⅠandⅡdentition defects.

Objective:To explore the prevalence and independent associated factors of vascular calcification (VC) in non-dialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients of stage 3-5.Methods:It was a single-center cross-sectional observational study. Non-dialysis stage 3-5 CKD patients ≥18 years old who were admitted to the Department of Nephrology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from May 1, 2022 to December 31, 2022 with VC evaluation were enrolled. The patients' general information, laboratory examination and imaging data were collected. Coronary artery calcification (CAC), thoracic aorta calcification (TAC), abdominal aorta calcification (AAC), carotid artery calcification and aortic valve calcification (AVC) were evaluated by cardiac-gated electron-beam CT (EBCT) scans, lateral lumbar x-ray, cervical macrovascular ultrasound and echocardiography, respectively. The differences in clinical data and the prevalence of VC at different sites of patients with different CKD stages were compared, and the prevalence of VC at different sites of patients in different age groups [youth group (18-44 years old), middle-aged group (45-64 years old) and elderly group (≥65 years old)] and patients with or without diabetes were compared. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to analyse the independent associated factors of VC for different areas.Results:A total of 206 patients aged (51±14) years were included, including 129 (62.6%) males. There were 44 patients with CKD stage 3 (21.4%), 51 patients with CKD stage 4 (24.8%), and 111 patients with CKD stage 5 (53.9%). CKD was caused by chronic glomerulonephritis [104 cases (50.5%)], diabetic kidney damage [35 cases (17.0%)], hypertensive kidney damage [29 cases (14.1%)] and others [38 cases (18.4%)]. Among 206 patients, 131 (63.6%) exhibited cardiovascular calcification, and the prevalence of CAC, TAC, AAC, carotid artery calcification, and AVC was 37.9%, 43.7%, 37.9%, 35.9% and 9.7%, respectively. The overall prevalence of VC in young, middle-aged and elderly patients was 24.6%, 73.6% and 97.4%, respectively. With the increase of age, the prevalence of VC in each site gradually increased, and the increasing trend was statistically significant (all P<0.001). The overall prevalence of VC in CKD patients with diabetes was 92.5% (62/67), and the prevalence of VC at each site in the patients with diabetes was significantly higher than that in the patients without diabetes (all P<0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that age (every 10 years increase, OR=2.51, 95% CI 1.77-3.56, P<0.001), hypertension ( OR=5.88, 95% CI 1.57-22.10, P=0.009), and diabetes ( OR=4.66, 95% CI 2.10-10.35, P<0.001) were independently correlated with CAC; Age (every 10 years increase, OR=6.43, 95% CI 3.64-11.36, P<0.001) and hypertension ( OR=6.09, 95% CI 1.33-27.84, P=0.020) were independently correlated with TAC; Female ( OR=0.23, 95% CI 0.07-0.72, P=0.011), age (every 10 years increase, OR=3.90, 95% CI 2.42-6.29, P<0.001), diabetes ( OR=5.37, 95% CI 2.19-13.19, P<0.001) and serum magnesium ( OR=0.01,95% CI 0-0.35, P=0.014) were independently correlated with AAC. Moreover, age and diabetes were independently correlated with carotid artery calcification, AVC and overall VC Conclusions:The prevalence of VC in non-dialysis CKD patients of stage 3-5 is 63.59%, of which CAC reaches 37.9%, TAC is the most common one (43.7%), while AVC is the least one (9.7%). Age and diabetes are the independent associated factors for VC of all sites except TAC, while hypertension is an independent associated factor for both CAC and TAC.

Objective:To investigate the application of virtual reality (VR) technology on intraoperative pain in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD)-related procedures with local infiltration anesthesia and the satisfaction.Methods:It was a single-center, prospective, concurrent controlled study. Patients were divided into two groups: VR group and control group. In the VR group, patients wore a VR headset to watch soothing audio and video content during surgery, while the control group underwent routine procedures. Intraoperative pain and satisfaction were assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS) and a 5-point satisfaction scale within 30 minutes of surgery. In addition, tolerance of the VR experience in the VR group was assessed using the VR sickness questionnaire.Results:A total of 43 patients were included in the study, including 25 males (58.1%). Chronic glomerulonephritis [17 cases (39.5%)] and diabetic nephropathy [6 cases (14.0%)] were the main primary diseases. There were 23 cases in the control group and 20 cases in the VR group. There were no significant differences between the two groups in age, sex ratio, proportion of primary disease, diabetes, hypertension, distribution of operation methods, preoperative vital signs and operation time (all P>0.05). VAS pain score was significantly lower in the VR group than that in the control group (5.90±2.38 vs. 7.43±1.67, t=2.469, P=0.018). The percentage of patients who were satisfied was 89.5% (17/19) in the VR group and 78.3% (18/23) in the control group, but there was no significant difference (chi-square test for continuity correction, χ2=0.308, P=0.579). Three patients in the VR group withdrew from the study due to severe discomfort, while the remaining participants found the VR experience to be tolerable. Common adverse effects included fatigue and blurred vision. Conclusions:The application of VR technology in PD-related procedures has been effective in reducing intraoperative pain when combined with local infiltration anesthesia. Furthermore, the utilization of VR technology in PD-related procedures is associated with a safe and tolerable outcome, despite the observation of some adverse effects.