Objective To evaluate the impact of an integrated management mode of prenatal diagnosis-postnatal treatment for congenital heart disease (CHD) on perioperative and long-term outcomes of the arterial switch operation (ASO), and to analyze the efficacy of ASO in a single center. Methods This retrospective study analyzed the clinical data of 183 children who underwent ASO at Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital from 2018 to 2024. The cohort included 106 (57.9%) patients of transposition of the great arteries with intact ventricular septum (TGA/IVS), 61 (33.3%) patients of transposition of the great arteries with ventricular septal defect (TGA/VSD), and 16 (8.7%) patients of Taussig-bing anomaly (TBA). Perioperative indicators were compared between 91 patients in the prenatal-postnatal integrated management group (an integrated group) and 92 patients in the traditional management group (a non-integrated group). Long-term survival and reoperation rates were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier curves. Results The overall perioperative mortality rate was 4.9% (9/183), showing a downward trend year by year. The primary cause of perioperative mortality was low cardiac output syndrome (LCOS), which occurred in 12 patients (6.6% incidence) with a mortality rate of 75.0%. The integrated group had a higher proportion of males (89.0% vs. 72.8%, P<0.05) and lower body weight [3.1 (2.7, 3.3) kg vs. 3.3 (3.0, 3.7) kg, P<0.05] compared to the non-integrated group. The age at surgery was significantly earlier in the integrated group [7 (3, 10) d vs. 14 (9, 48) d, P<0.05], and all children in the integrated group underwent ASO within the optimal surgical window (100.0% vs. 82.6%, P<0.05). Intraoperatively, cardiopulmonary bypass time [173 (150, 207) min vs. 186 (159, 237) min, P<0.05] and aortic cross-clamp time [100 (90, 117) min vs. 116 (97, 142) min, P<0.05] were significantly shorter in the integrated group. Although the integrated group had longer postoperative mechanical ventilation time [145 (98, 214) h vs. 116 (77, 147) h, P<0.05] and higher 48-hour maximum vasoactive inotropic score [15 (10, 21) points vs. 12 (8, 16) points, P<0.05], there was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of severe complications (LCOS, necrotizing enterocolitis, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) or mortality rate (3.3% vs. 6.5%, P=0.51) between the two groups, despite earlier surgical intervention and a higher proportion of critically ill cases in the integrated group. The length of hospital stay in the emergency surgery group was significantly shorter than that in the elective surgery group [20 (15, 28) d vs. 25 (21, 30) d, P<0.05], suggesting that early surgery may be of potential benefit. A total of 163 patients were successfully followed up for a median of 4.7 years, with a 5-year survival rate of 95.1% and a freedom from reintervention survival rate of 95.1%. There were no late deaths, and the most common postoperative complication was pulmonary artery stenosis. Conclusion The integrated management model allowed critically ill children with lower body weights to safely undergo surgery, significantly optimizing the timing of surgery and shortening intraoperative times. The long-term risk of reoperation after ASO is primarily concentrated on pulmonary artery stenosis, necessitating long-term follow-up and monitoring.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the association between acupuncture during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) and the live birth rate (LBR) using different propensity score methods. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, eligible women who underwent a COH were divided into acupuncture and non-acupuncture groups. The primary outcome was LBR, as determined by propensity score matching (PSM). LBR was defined as the delivery of one or more living infants that reached a gestational age over 28 weeks after embryo transfer. The propensity score model encompassed 16 confounding variables. To validate the results, sensitivity analyses were conducted using three additional propensity score methods: propensity score adjustment, inverse probability weighting (IPW), and IPW with a "doubly robust" estimator. RESULTS: The primary cohort encompassed 9751 patients (1830 [18.76%] in the acupuncture group and 7921 [81.23%] in the non-acupuncture group). Following 1:1 PSM, a higher LBR was found in the acupuncture cohort (41.4% [755/1824] vs 36.4% [664/1824], with an odds ratio of 1.23 [95% confidence interval, 1.08-1.41]). Three additional propensity score methods produced essentially similar results. The risk of serious adverse events did not significantly differ between the two groups. CONCLUSION This retrospective study revealed an association between acupuncture and an increased LBR among patients undergoing COH, and that acupuncture is a safe and valuable treatment option. Please cite this article as: Zheng XY, Jiang ZY, Li YT, Li CL, Zhu H, Yu Z, Yu SY, Yang LL, Tang SY, Lü XY, Liang FR, Yang J. Association between acupuncture and live birth rates after fresh embryo transfer: A cohort study based on different propensity score methods. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(5):528-536.
Humans ; Female ; Propensity Score ; Embryo Transfer ; Adult ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Retrospective Studies ; Pregnancy ; Live Birth ; Birth Rate ; Cohort Studies

Objective To explore the role of meibomian gland massage combined with the ROY adaptation model in nursing of xerophthalmia.Methods The medical records of 286 patients with xerophthalmia admitted from March 2022 to October 2023 were retrospectively included.The patients were divided into conventional group(141 cases)and combined group(145 cases)according to dif-ferent intervention methods.Both groups received optimized pulsed light therapy.The conventional group received meibomian gland massage and routine nursing for xerophthalmia,while the combined group received additional nursing based on the ROY adaptation model.The improvement effects on subjective symptoms(dryness,foreign body sensation,fatigue,photophobia,and burning sensation)as well as psychological status[Symptom Checklist-90(SCL-90)],self-efficacy[General Self-Effica-cy Scale(GSES)],ocular surface status[Ocular Surface Disease Index(OSDI)],and quality of life[the scale of quality of life for diseases with visual impairment(SQOL-DVI)]before and after inter-vention were compared between the two groups.Results The disappearance time of dryness,foreign body sensation,fatigue,photophobia,and burning sensation were shorter in the combined group than those in the conventional group(P＜0.05).After the intervention,the scores of all dimensions and the total score of SCL-90 decreased in both groups compared with those before the intervention,and the scores in the combined group were lower than those in the conventional group(P＜0.05).After the intervention,the scores for facing problems,coping with problems,and the total score increased in both groups compared with those before the intervention,and the scores in the combined group were higher than those in the conventional group(P＜0.05).After the intervention,the scores for ocular symp-toms,visual function,environmental triggers factors,and the total score decreased in both groups compared with those before the intervention,and the scores in the combined group were lower than those in the conventional group(P＜0.05).After the intervention,the scores for general health status,symptoms and visual function,social activities,mental health,and the total score increased in both groups compared with those before the intervention,and the scores in the combined group were higher than those in the conventional group(P＜0.05).Conclusion Meibomian gland mas-sage combined with nursing based on the ROY adaptation model can improve dry eye symptoms,ad-just the ocular surface status,enhance self-efficacy,and improve the quality of life of patients.

Objective We systematically analyze the changes in the count and function of platelet at the early sepsis based on clinical study and single cell sequencing.Methods Clinical data of sepsis patients at the early stage were collected and had been compared between different prognostic groups in the prospective case-control study.The independent risk factors of death were analyzed by logistic regression,and the predictive efficacy of clini-cal indicators was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve.The healthy volunteers and sepsis patients were recruited.Clinical researchers collected peripheral venous blood samples for sorting cell samples to carry out single-cell RNA sequencing(sc-RNA seq).Through bioinformatics techniques,we analyzed the changes in platelet count,the significantly differential-expressed genes and its enriched functional signaling pathways in the early stages of sepsis.Results(1)A total of 224 patients were enrolled,with a 90 day survival rate of 70.5%.Compared with the survival group,the count of platelet and MAP in the death group at the early stage of sepsis were significantly lower,but the plasma lactate content and SOFA score were significantly higher.(2)Based on single cell sequencing technology,cells are annotated as six groups.The proportion of innate immune cells(neutrophils,monocytes,and dendritic cells)was significantly increased in the early stage of sepsis compared to the healthy volun-teers(2.15∶1),while platelets significantly decreased(0.31∶1).(3)Through bioinformatics technology,CD41/CD42a/CD61 was identified as platelet specific molecules,with significantly increased expression levels in sepsis.Three molecules can distinguish platelets together.(4)771 genes were significantly upregulated and 1101 genes were significantly downregulated in platelets of patients with sepsis,including core molecules involved in physiological functions such as cell adhesion,chemotaxis,and immune response.Functional analysis suggests that differentially expressed genes are enriched in coagulation,immune functions and cell death,participating in oxidative phosphory-lation,leukocyte chemotaxis,iron death,and NOD like receptor signaling pathways.Conclusion Reduced platelet count is associated with poor prognosis in the early stage of sepsis.The specific high expression molecules CD41/CD42a/CD61 that are significantly upregulated in platelets can serve as biomarkers for platelets.Platelets not only mediate cell adhesion and coagulation cascade,but also participate in functional changes such as immune cell chemotaxis,inflammatory response,and the pathological death of inflammatory cells.

Objective To investigate the mechanism of astragaloside Ⅰ,the active constituent of milkvetch root,in inhibiting podocyte injury and improving diabetic kidney disease.Methods According to the body weight,60 male db/db mice were randomly divided into the model group,astragaloside Ⅰ low-dose group(10 mg/kg),astragaloside Ⅰ medium-dose group(20 mg/kg),astragaloside Ⅰ high-dose group(40 mg/kg),and valsartan group(10mg/kg),with 12 mice per group.Twelve db/db littermate control db/m mice were used as the control group.The drug was administered by gavage for 8 weeks.Transmission electron microscope was used to observe the ultrastructure of the kidney;immunohistochemistry and Western blotting were used to detect the expression of nephrotic protein(nephrin),a marker of renal podocytes;enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the contents of interleukin-1β(IL-1β)and interleukin-18(IL-18)in the serum of mice;Western blotting was used to detect the protein expressions of NOD-like receptor thermoprotein domain-related protein 3(NLRP3),cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase 1(Caspase-1),and Gasdermin D(GSDMD)in kidney tissue.Results Compared with the control group,the glomeruli of the model group showed obvious podocyte loss and foot process fusion;the protein expression of nephrin was decreased(P＜0.05);the contents of IL-1 β and IL-18 in serum were increased(P＜0.05);the protein expressions of NLRP3,Cleaved-Caspase-1,and GSDMD-N were increased(P＜0.05).Compared with the model group,the renal pathological damage in the astragaloside Ⅰ administration groups were alleviated;the protein expression of nephrin was increased(P＜0.05);the contents of IL-1β and IL-18 in serum were decreased(P＜0.05);the protein expressions of NLRP3,Cleaved-Caspase-1,and GSDMD-N were decreased(P＜0.05).Conclusion Astragaloside Ⅰ may play a role in intervening diabetic kidney disease by inhibiting pyroptosis and improving podocyte injury.

AIM: To assess the association between the Dem, axial length/corneal radius ratio(AL/CR ratio), and the refractive status of children aged 3 to 14, compare the efficiency of Dem with AL/CR ratio in predicting myopia, and to explore a more effective method for quantitatively predicting the refractive state of children.METHODS: This cross-sectional study involved 519 children aged 3 to 14, including 519 eyes(data from the right eyes were used). All participants were out-patients at the ophthalmic clinic of Xi'an No.1 Hospital from March 2021 to December 2022. The axial length(AL), keratometry(K), Dem, and spherical equivalent refraction(SER)were recorded before ciliary paralysis, and myopia was defined when the SER ≤-0.50 D.RESULTS: There was a positive correlation between SER and Dem(r=0.88, P<0.01), and a negative correlation between SER and the AL/CR ratio(r=-0.87, P<0.01)in children aged 3-14. The optimal cutoff points for the Dem and AL/CR ratio were 20.40 D, and 3.02, respectively. Myopia could be diagnosed when the Dem ≤20.40 D or the AL/CR ratio ≥3.02. SER decreased by 0.57 D for every 1 D decrease in Dem and by 1.00 D for every 0.06 increase in the AL/CR ratio. The area under the ROC curve(AUC)for Dem(0.958)was significantly greater than that for the AL/CR ratio(0.940).CONCLUSION: There is a positive correlation between SER and Dem, and a negative correlation between SER and the AL/CR ratio in children aged 3-14. Dem is more efficient than the AL/CR ratio in myopia assessment. The eye biometrics directly provide Dem values, which is more convenient for calculating the dose-effect relationship with SER, thus making it more efficient for predicting SER in children.

Objective:To investigate the incidence of radiation pneumonitis (RP) induced by 125I seed implantation for the treatment of malignant lung tumors and analyze related dosimetric parameters. Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 31 cases of malignant lung tumors treated with 125I seed implantation from January 2017 to December 2022 at Hebei Provincial Tumor Radioactive Seeds Implantation Diagnosis and Treatment Center. These cases consisted of eight patients with squamous cell carcinoma, 10 patients with adenocarcinoma, and 13 patients with metastatic cancer in other sites. At 1-6 months after treatment, these patients received postoperative chest CT scans, with the efficacy evaluated based on the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.1 (RECIST 1.1), including the objective response rate (ORR) and the disease control rate (DCR). The efficacy of RP was evaluated using the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) criteria. Postoperative dosimetric parameters, including D90 (minimum peripheral dose received by 90% of the target volume), V8 (percentage of lung volume receiving 8 Gy), V32 (percentage of lung volume receiving 32 Gy), and Dmean (mean radiation dose) of the affected lung, were statistically analyzed. The relationships of the RP occurrence with postoperative D90, V8, V32, and Dmean were analyzed by comparison with relevant external radiotherapy data, to identify the parameters that are correlated closely with RP occurrence. Results:All the patients underwent successful surgeries. The postoperative efficacy evaluation after six months showed complete response (CR) in 11 cases, partial response (PR) in 11 cases, stable disease (SD) in eight cases, and progressive disease (PD) in one case, with an overall response rate (ORR) of 71.0%, and a disease control rate (DCR) of 96.8%. Three patients suffered RP, with an incidence rate of 9.7%. Postoperative V8, V32, and Dmean could not serve as predictive indicators for RP. Follow-up observation revealed that three RP cases (3/5) exhibited postoperative D90 exceeding 170 Gy and no RP cases (0/26) showed postoperative D90 below 170 Gy. Conclusions:In the treatment of malignant lung tumors with 125I seed implantation, there is a certain correlation between RP and postoperative D90, while there is no correlation between it and V8, V32, and Dmean.

Glaucoma is one of the most common optic neuropathies, featuring progressive retinal ganglion cell damage and visual field loss (Tham et al., 2014; Xu et al., 2020). Currently, the only effective treatment for this condition is the reduction of intraocular pressure (IOP) (Palmberg, 2001; Heijl et al., 2002). Canaloplasty is a proven bleb-independent surgery with good efficacy and safety profiles in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) (Gołaszewska et al., 2021). However, early transient postoperative IOP elevation has been reported in up to 30% of cases (Riva et al., 2019), similar to that commonly observed in other internal drainage glaucoma surgeries such as implantation using iStent (0%-21.0%), CyPass (10.8%), and Hydrus (4.8%-6.5%) (Lavia et al., 2017). This complication may be a predictor of poor reserve in the outflow system and is potentially associated with surgical failure. Nonetheless, the exact pathophysiology of glaucoma remains unknown, and studies clarifying the risk factors for postoperative IOP elevation have been scarce.
Humans ; Intraocular Pressure ; Glaucoma, Open-Angle/surgery* ; Incidence ; Treatment Outcome ; Risk Factors

Background::Keratinocytes play an important role in wound healing; however, less is known about skin keratinocytes in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Therefore, this study aimed to search for the transcriptional characteristics of keratinocytes at the single-cell level from T2DM patients, and to provide experimental data for identifying the pathological mechanisms of keratinocytes under pathological conditions.Methods::We performed single-cell RNA sequencing on the skin tissue from two T2DM patients and one patient without diabetes-induced trauma using the BD Rhapsody TM Single-Cell Analysis System. With the help of bioinformatics R-based single-cell analysis software, we analyzed the results of single-cell sequencing to identify the single-cell subsets and transcriptional characteristics of keratinocytes at the single-cell level, including Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes and Gene Ontology analyzes. Results::In this study, we found specific highly expressed signature keratinocyte-related genes. We analyzed the transcriptome of keratinocytes from experimental and control groups and screened a total of 356 differential genes, which were subject to bioinformatics analysis. Enriched pathways included oxidative phosphorylation, antigen processing and presentation, prion and Huntingtons’ diseases, bacterial invasion of epithelial cells, thermogenesis, vasopressin-regulated water reabsorption, and protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum.Conclusions::This study revealed the characteristics of keratinocytes at the single-cell level and screened a group of differentially expressed genes related to T2DM-associated keratinocytes, oxidative phosphorylation, cytokine receptor interactions, prion diseases, and other signaling pathways.

Objective:To investigate the relationship between dosimetric parameters and tumor volume change after 125I implantation for thyroid cancer and obtain better dosimetric parameters that predict the curative effect more accurately. Methods:A total of 22 consecutive patients with thyroid cancer (23 targets) who received 125I interstitial brachytherapy in Department of Oncology, Hebei General Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. All the patients received post-operative dose verification, and the D 90 (Minimum dose received by 90% target volume) was calculated. After a regular follow-up, the tumor volume reduction ratio after t months (R t) , actual absorbed dose (D 1m) , efficacy corrected absorbed dose (D 1e) , and sensitivity corrected absorbed dose (D 1s) of the first month were calculated according to the actual follow-up CT images. The statistical test was carried out by SPSS21.0. The Spearman linear analysis was applied to analyze the relationship between D 90, D 1m, D 1e, D 1s and R t, and the curve fitting was also completed. Results:The post-operative D 90, D 1m, D 1e, D 1s and R t were (129.73±14.22) Gy, (36.95±7.35) Gy, (43.45±11.32) Gy, (41.78±13.39) Gy, and (32.00±19.00) %, respectively. And the correlation coefficient were 0.692, 0.551, 0.728, and 0.858, respectively, which showed significant positive relevance between dosimetric parameters and tumor volume change ( P<0.01) , the curve fitting presented cubic function. Conclusion:The post-operative D 90, D 1m, D 1e, and D 1s can be predictors for curative effect, and D 1s is the best predictor.