OBJECTIVE To evaluate the clinical efficacy of dapagliflozin in patients with pulmonary hypertension associated with left heart disease （PH-LHD） and its effect on prognosis， and to provide evidence for its clinical application. METHODS A total of 135 hospitalized patients with PH-LHD admitted to Wuxi No. 2 People’s Hospital from January 1， 2023 to June 30， 2025 were retrospectively included. According to the treatment regimen， the patients were divided into a control group （74 cases， receiving conventional treatment） and a dapagliflozin group （61 cases， receiving dapagliflozin in addition to conventional treatment）. Blood pressure [systolic blood pressure， diastolic blood pressure， and pulmonary artery systolic pressure （PASP）]， echocardiographic cardiac function parameters [cardiac output， cardiac index， left ventricular ejection fraction （LVEF）， right ventricular ejection fraction （RVEF）， left atrial diameter， and left ventricular wall thickness]， inflammatory factors [interleukin-6 （IL-6） and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein （hs-CRP）]， brain natriuretic peptide （BNP）， and 6-minute walking distance （6MWD） were compared between the two groups before treatment and after 12 weeks of treatment. All-cause mortality and the frequency of rehospitalization due to worsening heart failure during follow-up were also compared. RESULTS After 12 weeks of treatment， systolic blood pressure， diastolic blood pressure， PASP， left atrial diameter， IL-6， hs-CRP， and BNP levels were significantly decreased or shortened in both groups， while cardiac index and 6MWD were significantly increased or prolonged compared with those before treatment （ P ＜0.05）. Cardiac output in the dapagliflozin group was significantly increased compared with that before treatment （ P ＜0.05）. Systolic blood pressure， PASP， left atrial diameter， IL-6， hs-CRP， and BNP levels in the dapagliflozin group were significantly lower or shorter than those in the control group， while cardiac output， cardiac index， and 6MWD were significantly higher or longer than those in the control group （ P ＜0.05）. There were no statistically significant differences in LVEF， RVEF， or left ventricular wall thickness between the two groups （ P ＞0.05）. The median follow-up times in the control group and dapagliflozin group were 17.9 months and 17.3 months， respectively. During follow-up， all-cause mortality in the dapagliflozin group was lower than that i n the control group， but the difference was not statistically significant （ P ＞0.05）； the frequency of rehospitalization due to worsening heart failure was significantly lower than that in the control group （ P ＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS On the basis of conventional treatment， the addition of dapagliflozin can further reduce pulmonary artery pressure， inflammatory factor levels， and BNP levels in patients with PH-LHD， improve some cardiac function-related parameters and exercise tolerance， and reduce the frequency of rehospitalization due to worsening heart failure.

Objective To investigate the regulatory mechanism of the central nervous system in patients with refractory overactive bladder (rOAB) using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and graph theory analysis. Methods A total of 43 rOAB patients (rOAB group) and 46 matched healthy controls (HC group) were recruited during May and Nov.2024. All participants were scanned with DTI, and surveyed with the overactive bladder symptom score (OABSS), and overactive bladder questionnaire (OAB-q). Their age, gender, height, weight, and educational years were collected.DTI plus graph theory analysis was employed to explore the alterations in global and local topological properties of the brain structural network in rOAB patients. Brain regions showing significant group differences in structural metrics [specifically, the right paracentral lobule (PCL.R) ]were further used as seed points for functional connectivity (FC) analysis. Correlations between the nodal clustering coefficient (NCp) of the identified region, FC strength, OABSS, and OAB-q score were investigated. Results The OABSS [8 (6,10) vs.0 (0,1) ]and OAB-q [71 (53,80) vs.20 (19,24) ]were higher in the rOAB group than the HC group (P<0.001). Graph theory analysis revealed no statistically significant differences in global network metrics between the two groups (P>0.05). However, the NCp was significantly higher in the PCL.R of rOAB group compared to HC group (P<0.05, FDR-corrected).FC analysis using the PCL.R as a seed region demonstrated significantly reduced FC value in the left cerebellar crus Ⅱ (Cerebelum_Crus2_L) of the rOAB group (P<0.05, FDR-corrected). Partial correlation analysis showed that the NCp of PCL.R was positively correlated with both OABSS (r=0.255, P=0.018) and OAB-q score (r=0.257, P=0.017). Conversely, the FC of Cerebelum_Crus2_L was significantly negatively correlated with OABSS (r=-0.545, P<0.001) and OAB-q score (r=-0.535, P<0.001). Conclusion Patients with rOAB exhibit distinct brain structural network alterations compared to healthy individuals, primarily manifestation in the NCp value of PCL.R increased, and the FC intensity of Cerebelum_Crus2_L is significantly weakened. These alterations in the topological properties of the structural network may be implicated in the pathogenesis of rOAB.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the efficacy and safety of human epidermal growth factor gel in the treatment of pin tract infections after surgery in patients with severe spinal deformity. METHODS: A retrospective case-control study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 26 patients with pin tract infections after skull-pelvic ring traction for severe spinal deformity admitted from February 2019 to May 2022. Among them, 11 were male and 15 were female;the age ranged from 18 to 31 years, with an average of (24.1±4.3) years;the Cobb angle ranged 80.3° to 120.7°, with an average of (88.6±10.2)°;there were 52 iliac traction pins, 104 pin tract openings, and 38 pin tract infections. According to the Checketts-Otterbum classification, there were 11 infections of gradeⅠ, 13 infections of gradeⅡ, 10 infections of grade Ⅲ, and 4 infections of grade Ⅳ. The patients were divided into the conventional dressing change group (13 cases) and the growth factor group (13 cases) by coin flipping. Clinical efficacy was evaluated by recording the visual analogue scale(VAS) score during dressing change, duration of dressing change, cost of dressing change, positive rate of bacterial culture, wound improvement rate, and wound improvement time. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in VAS or duration of dressing change between the two groups (P>0.05). The cost of dressing change was (800.0±59.5) yuan in the conventional dressing change group and (1 179.5±80.9) yuan in the growth factor group, with a statistically significant difference (P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the positive rate of bacterial culture between the two groups (P>0.05). In the conventional dressing change group, within 20 pin tract infections, 2 infections achieved wound healing, 7 infections showed improvement, and 11 infections were ineffective;in the growth factor group, within 18 pin tract infections 5 infections achieved wound healing, 8 infections showed improvement, and 5 infections were ineffective, with a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05). The wound healing time was (22.8±4.9) days in the conventional dressing change group and (14.2±2.5) days in the growth factor group, with a statistically significant difference (P<0.05). No complications occurred in either group. CONCLUSION The application of human epidermal growth factor gel in the treatment of pin tract infections after skull-pelvic ring surgery in patients with severe spinal deformity is easy to operate, does not increase patient pain, and has significant efficacy. It shortens wound healing time, effectively promotes wound healing, and has good safety and high cost-effectiveness.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Adolescent ; Retrospective Studies ; Case-Control Studies ; Young Adult ; Epidermal Growth Factor/therapeutic use* ; Traction/adverse effects* ; Gels ; Bone Nails/adverse effects* ; Surgical Wound Infection/drug therapy*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the short-to-medium-term clinical efficacy of total hip arthroplasty(THA) with Pinnacle ES constrained liner in the treatment of femoral neck fractures(FNF) associated with lower limb neuromuscular disorders. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 16 patients who underwent primary THA using Pinnacle ES constrained liner for FNF with lower limb neuromuscular disorders and had complete follow-up data, treated between January 2020 and January 2023. There were 7 males and 9 females, with a mean age of (68.42±3.58) years old ranging from 61 to 75 years old. Among them, 10 cases had left-sided fractures and 6 had right-sided fractures;based on the Garden classification, 11 cases were type Ⅲ and 5 cases were type Ⅳ. The affected limbs were complicated with sequelae of poliomyelitis (2 cases), Parkinson's disease (2 cases), and sequelae of cerebral infarction (12 cases). All operations were performed via a posterolateral approach. Prosthesis position was evaluated using imaging data. Hip function was assessed by the Harris hip score(HHS) and Merle D'Aubigne hip score. During the follow-up period, the occurrence of complications such as prosthetic dislocation, loosening, and infection was recorded. RESULTS: One patient died of advanced tumor 2 years after surgery, and the remaining 15 patients were followed up for 24 to 64 months with a mean of (34.8±5.5) months. The operation time ranged from 50 to 90 minutes with a mean of (75.56±8.15) minutes, and the blood loss ranged from 150 to 200 ml with a mean of (170.32±12.56) ml. All patients achieved primary wound healing after surgery. Intraoperatively, femoral calcar splitting occurred in 2 cases, which were treated with titanium cable binding;no neurovascular injuries were observed in any case. The mean HHS increased from (18.95±2.25) preoperatively to (88.02±2.42) at the last follow-up, and the mean Merle D'Aubigne Score increased from (3.05±0.06) preoperatively to (16.65±0.93) at the last follow-up. Postoperative follow-up X-rays showed good prosthetic position, and no complications such as dislocation, prosthetic loosening, periprosthetic fracture, or deep infection occurred during the follow-up period. CONCLUSION Total hip arthroplasty with Pinnacle ES constrained liner is effective in the treatment of femoral neck fractures associated with lower limb neuromuscular disorders. It can significantly improve hip function, reduce the postoperative prosthetic dislocation rate, provide good initial stability, and achieve satisfactory short-to-medium-term clinical efficacy.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip/methods* ; Femoral Neck Fractures/complications* ; Retrospective Studies ; Neuromuscular Diseases/surgery* ; Lower Extremity ; Treatment Outcome

Objective:To investigate tetanus antibody levels and distribution characteristics in a healthy population of Henan Province.Methods:A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Henan Province from 2022 to 2023 to investigate the permanent population. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect anti-tetanus toxoid IgG antibody (anti-TT), and the positive rate (≥0.01 IU/ml), protection rate (≥0.1 IU/ml) and concentration differences of tetanus antibodies in different populations were analyzed.Results:The age M ( Q1, Q3) of 5 494 participants was 14 (4, 40) years old, with a minimum age of 8 months and a maximum age of 81 years old. The male-to-female ratio was 1.00∶1.18. The total positive rate, protective rate and mean concentration (MC) [ M ( Q1, Q3)] of Anti-TT were 76.48%, 41.72% and 0.067 (0.010, 0.154) IU/ml, respectively. The positive rates of Anti-TT in individuals aged <3, 3-5, 6-9, and 10-14 were 95.32%, 96.05%, 97.81%, and 93.17%, respectively, but gradually decreased with age ( χ2trend=1 283.02, P<0.001). The antibody protection rate [82.13% (579/705)] and MC [ M ( Q1, Q3) of 0.160 (0.122, 0.259) IU/ml] in the population under 3 years old were relatively high, and both showed a decreasing trend with age (protection rate: χ2trend=1 889.49, P<0.001; MC: t=-54.22, P<0.001). There were significant differences in antibody levels among populations of different ages, regions, occupations, and immunization histories (all P<0.001). Within 13 years after the last dose of TTCV vaccination, the positive rate of Anti-TT was all greater than 90%, but the protection rate and MC continued to decrease with the prolongation of vaccination time (protection rate: χ2trend=160.58, P<0.001; MC: t=-14.93, P<0.001). After the last dose of vaccination, the protection rate and MC [ M ( Q1, Q3)] decreased to 30.43% and 0.055 (0.036, 0.115) IU/ml, respectively, for 10-13 years. The protection rates of Anti-TT for farmers, workers, people aged 60 and above, and women of childbearing age (20-45 years old) were 7.77%, 22.96%, 8.39%, and 12.72%, respectively. Conclusion:The level of tetanus antibodies in infants and young children in Henan Province is relatively high from 2022 to 2023, but it decreases with age and prolonged post-immunization time. There are significant differences in antibody levels among individuals of different ages, regions, occupations, and immunization histories. Occupational high-risk groups such as farmers and workers, elderly people, and women of childbearing age lack sufficient immunization protection.

This article presents the diagnosis and treatment processes, and morphological and genetic testing of Gongylonema pulchrum in a case with G. pulchrum found in the oral mucosa. In addition, this article reviews publications pertaining to G. pulchrum human infections by Chinese scientists during the recent 10 years and summarizes the demographic and clinical characteristics, location and number of parasites, diagnosis and treatment processes, and epidemiological surveys of cases infected with G. pulchrum, so as to provide insights into improving the diagnostic capability among clinicians.

Objective:To investigate tetanus antibody levels and distribution characteristics in a healthy population of Henan Province.Methods:A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Henan Province from 2022 to 2023 to investigate the permanent population. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect anti-tetanus toxoid IgG antibody (anti-TT), and the positive rate (≥0.01 IU/ml), protection rate (≥0.1 IU/ml) and concentration differences of tetanus antibodies in different populations were analyzed.Results:The age M ( Q1, Q3) of 5 494 participants was 14 (4, 40) years old, with a minimum age of 8 months and a maximum age of 81 years old. The male-to-female ratio was 1.00∶1.18. The total positive rate, protective rate and mean concentration (MC) [ M ( Q1, Q3)] of Anti-TT were 76.48%, 41.72% and 0.067 (0.010, 0.154) IU/ml, respectively. The positive rates of Anti-TT in individuals aged <3, 3-5, 6-9, and 10-14 were 95.32%, 96.05%, 97.81%, and 93.17%, respectively, but gradually decreased with age ( χ2trend=1 283.02, P<0.001). The antibody protection rate [82.13% (579/705)] and MC [ M ( Q1, Q3) of 0.160 (0.122, 0.259) IU/ml] in the population under 3 years old were relatively high, and both showed a decreasing trend with age (protection rate: χ2trend=1 889.49, P<0.001; MC: t=-54.22, P<0.001). There were significant differences in antibody levels among populations of different ages, regions, occupations, and immunization histories (all P<0.001). Within 13 years after the last dose of TTCV vaccination, the positive rate of Anti-TT was all greater than 90%, but the protection rate and MC continued to decrease with the prolongation of vaccination time (protection rate: χ2trend=160.58, P<0.001; MC: t=-14.93, P<0.001). After the last dose of vaccination, the protection rate and MC [ M ( Q1, Q3)] decreased to 30.43% and 0.055 (0.036, 0.115) IU/ml, respectively, for 10-13 years. The protection rates of Anti-TT for farmers, workers, people aged 60 and above, and women of childbearing age (20-45 years old) were 7.77%, 22.96%, 8.39%, and 12.72%, respectively. Conclusion:The level of tetanus antibodies in infants and young children in Henan Province is relatively high from 2022 to 2023, but it decreases with age and prolonged post-immunization time. There are significant differences in antibody levels among individuals of different ages, regions, occupations, and immunization histories. Occupational high-risk groups such as farmers and workers, elderly people, and women of childbearing age lack sufficient immunization protection.

Objective:To analyze the epidemiological distribution characteristics, influencing factors, and infection rates of pertussis in the population of Henan Province.Methods:From 2022 to 2023, a cross-sectional survey was conducted to investigate the permanent population in Henan Province. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect anti-pertussis toxin IgG (PT-IgG), analyze the antibody positivity rate (≥20 IU/ml) and median concentration (MC), and estimate the pertussis infection rate based on PT IgG ≥40 IU/ml. The rank sum test was used to compare antibody levels among groups, and the χ2 test was used to compare antibody positive rates and infection rates among groups. Results:A total of 4 810 research subjects were included in this study. The overall positive rate of PT-IgG was 12.10% and MC was 3.04 (0.35, 10.36) IU/ml. There were significant differences both in positive rates and antibody levels of PT-IgG among different regions or age groups (region positive rate: χ2=134.06, P<0.001, MC: H=337.74, P<0.001; age group positive rate: χ2=45.27, P<0.001, MC: H=134.49, P<0.001). Both the positive rate of PT-IgG (25.26%) and MC (8.01 IU/ml) were the highest within one year after completing a full course of vaccination. There were significant differences in positive rates and antibody levels among people receiving different types of pertussis vaccines (positive rate: χ2=12.38, P=0.006, MC: H=17.93, P<0.001). The antibody positivity rate (35.71%) and MC (8.88 IU/ml) of the people who received cell-free pertussis inactivated poliomyelitis influenza type b (combined) vaccine throughout the course were higher than those who received other types of vaccines. The natural infection rate of pertussis was evaluated for individuals aged≥3 years who had no history of pertussis vaccine immunization within the year prior to sampling. With a high vaccination rate, the estimated infection rate of pertussis in the population was 5 757.22/100 000. The infection rates in the 3-year-old (1 940.16/100 000) and 4-year-old (1 765.68/100 000) populations were at a low level among the entire population, reaching their peak at the age of 6 (12 656.71/100 000). Subsequently, although the infection rate continued to decline, it remained at a high level and peaked again at the age of 40-49 years (8 740.39/100 000). There was a statistically significant difference in the estimated infection rate of pertussis among different age groups ( χ2=53.21, P<0.001). Conclusion:The PT-IgG level of pertussis in the population of Henan Province is generally at a low level. The estimated infection rate of pertussis is much higher than the reported incidence rate. A booster dose of pertussis vaccine is recommended at 6 years old.

Objective:To analyze the epidemiological distribution characteristics, influencing factors, and infection rates of pertussis in the population of Henan Province.Methods:From 2022 to 2023, a cross-sectional survey was conducted to investigate the permanent population in Henan Province. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect anti-pertussis toxin IgG (PT-IgG), analyze the antibody positivity rate (≥20 IU/ml) and median concentration (MC), and estimate the pertussis infection rate based on PT IgG ≥40 IU/ml. The rank sum test was used to compare antibody levels among groups, and the χ2 test was used to compare antibody positive rates and infection rates among groups. Results:A total of 4 810 research subjects were included in this study. The overall positive rate of PT-IgG was 12.10% and MC was 3.04 (0.35, 10.36) IU/ml. There were significant differences both in positive rates and antibody levels of PT-IgG among different regions or age groups (region positive rate: χ2=134.06, P<0.001, MC: H=337.74, P<0.001; age group positive rate: χ2=45.27, P<0.001, MC: H=134.49, P<0.001). Both the positive rate of PT-IgG (25.26%) and MC (8.01 IU/ml) were the highest within one year after completing a full course of vaccination. There were significant differences in positive rates and antibody levels among people receiving different types of pertussis vaccines (positive rate: χ2=12.38, P=0.006, MC: H=17.93, P<0.001). The antibody positivity rate (35.71%) and MC (8.88 IU/ml) of the people who received cell-free pertussis inactivated poliomyelitis influenza type b (combined) vaccine throughout the course were higher than those who received other types of vaccines. The natural infection rate of pertussis was evaluated for individuals aged≥3 years who had no history of pertussis vaccine immunization within the year prior to sampling. With a high vaccination rate, the estimated infection rate of pertussis in the population was 5 757.22/100 000. The infection rates in the 3-year-old (1 940.16/100 000) and 4-year-old (1 765.68/100 000) populations were at a low level among the entire population, reaching their peak at the age of 6 (12 656.71/100 000). Subsequently, although the infection rate continued to decline, it remained at a high level and peaked again at the age of 40-49 years (8 740.39/100 000). There was a statistically significant difference in the estimated infection rate of pertussis among different age groups ( χ2=53.21, P<0.001). Conclusion:The PT-IgG level of pertussis in the population of Henan Province is generally at a low level. The estimated infection rate of pertussis is much higher than the reported incidence rate. A booster dose of pertussis vaccine is recommended at 6 years old.

Asthma and rhinosinusitis are both common respiratory diseases in children，with a high rate of co-morbidity，and both affect each other.The theory of “same airway，same disease” has been confirmed in recent years.However，rhinosinusitis is often underdiagnosed，and correctly recognizing，diagnosing and treating rhinosinusitis in a timely manner is conducive to asthma control.Both rhinosinusitis and asthma are highly heterogeneous diseases，with diverse and complex inflammatory endotypes and biomarkers，including eosinophils and neutrophils.This article reviews the epidemiology of rhinosinusitis and asthma co-morbidities，the inflammatory endotypes and biomarkers of rhinosinusitis，the impact of rhinosinusitis on asthma and its mechanism of influence，and the impact of treating rhinosinusitis on asthma control.