ObjectiveTo investigate the features of serum HBV RNA in different stages of the natural history of chronic hepatitis B virus （HBV） infection without antiviral treatment， as well as its correlation with serum HBV DNA and HBsAg. MethodsA total of 306 treatment-naïve patients with chronic HBV infection who attended Department of Infections Diseases and Hepatoloty， the Second Hospital of Shandong University from January 2023 to June 2024 were divided into six groups based on the different stages of natural history， i.e.， HBeAg-positive chronic HBV infection group with 29 patients， HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B （CHB） group with 107 patients， HBeAg-negative chronic HBV infection group with 18 patients， HBeAg-negative CHB group with 60 patients， HBeAg-positive indeterminate-phase chronic HBV infection group with 7 patients， and HBeAg-negative indeterminate-phase chronic HBV infection group with 85 patients. Real-time isothermal RNA amplification was used to measure serum high-sensitivity HBV RNA. The Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison between multiple groups of continuous data， while the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison between two groups. The Spearman method was used to investigate the correlation of HBV RNA with HBV DNA and HBsAg. ResultsThe HBeAg-positive chronic HBV infection group showed the highest level of serum HBV RNA ［7.5 （7.4‍ ‍—‍ ‍7.9） log₁₀ copies/mL］， followed by the HBeAg-positive CHB group ［7.4 （6.4‍ ‍—‍ ‍7.9） log₁₀ copies/mL］， the HBeAg-negative CHB group ［4.5 （3.0‍ ‍—‍ ‍5.7） log₁₀ copies/mL］， and the HBeAg-negative chronic HBV infection group ［1.0 （1.0‍ ‍—‍ ‍2.0） log₁₀ copies/mL］； the HBeAg-positive indeterminate-phase chronic HBV infection group had a serum HBV RNA level of 3.9 （3.7‍ ‍—‍ ‍5.7） log₁₀ copies/mL， and the HBeAg-negative indeterminate-phase chronic HBV infection group had a serum HBV RNA level of 2.0 （1.0‍ ‍—‍ ‍3.0） log₁₀ copies/mL； there was a significant difference in serum HBV RNA level between the six groups （H=830.770， P<0.001）. There was a significant difference in HBV RNA level between the HBeAg-positive chronic HBV infection group and all the other groups except the HBeAg-positive CHB group （all P<0.001）. In the 306 patients with HBV infection， HBV RNA was strongly correlated with HBV DNA （r=0.92， P<0.001） and was moderately correlated with HBsAg （r=0.67， P<0.001）. The correlation between serum HBV RNA and HBsAg in HBeAg-positive patients （r=0.61， P<0.001） was stronger than that in HBeAg-negative patients （r=0.31， P<0.001）. For the patients with HBeAg-positive chronic HBV infection， the male patients with ALT>30 U/L and the female patients with ALT>19 U/L had a significantly lower serum HBV RNA level than the male patients with ALT≤30 U/L and the female patients with ALT≤19 U/L （P<0.001）， and there was no significant difference in serum HBV RNA level between the latter group of patients and the HBeAg-positive CHB group （P>0.05）. ConclusionIn patients with chronic HBV infection who do not receive antiviral therapy， there is a difference in serum HBV RNA level in different stages of natural history， and serum HBV RNA level has the strongest correlation with HBV DNA and a relatively weak correlation with HBsAg. In patients with HBeAg-positive chronic HBV infection， serum HBV RNA level in male patients with ALT>30 U/L and female patients with ALT>19 U/L are in the transition stage between HBeAg-positive chronic HBV infection and HBeAg-positive CHB.

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics of residual dizziness（RD） after repositioning in patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo（BPPV）, identify its potential risk factors, and develop a predictive risk model. Methods:A total of 137 patients diagnosed with BPPV at the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University between January 2023 and June 2023 were enrolled. Based on the presence or absence of subjective discomfort within 3 months after successful repositioning, patients were divided into the non-RD group（NRD, n=93） and the RD group（n=44）. Differences in demographic characteristics, comorbidities, and disease-related features were compared between groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent risk factors for RD, and a nomogram was constructed based on these factors. The predictive performance of the model was assessed using the area under the curve（AUC）. Results:The RD group showed significantly higher values in body mass index, prevalence of diabetes and motion sickness history, dizziness duration before repositioning, history of repositioning at external hospitals, number of treatments, and recurrence（all P<0.001）. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that diabetes（adjusted OR=8.73, P=0.039）, motion sickness history（adjusted OR=23.08, P<0.001）, dizziness duration ≥30 days before repositioning（adjusted OR=15.16, P<0.001）, and recurrence（adjusted OR=15.72, P=0.001） were independent risk factors for RD. The nomogram model based on these variables demonstrated good predictive ability, with an AUC of 0.804（95%CI 0.684-0.924）. Conclusion:Diabetes, motion sickness history, dizziness duration ≥30 days, and recurrence are independent risk factors for RD after repositioning in patients with BPPV. The nomogram model based on these variables shows good predictive performance, with recurrence having the highest predictive value. This model can aid in early identification of high-risk patients and guide individualized intervention strategies.
Humans ; Nomograms ; Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo/therapy* ; Dizziness/etiology* ; Risk Factors ; Risk Assessment ; Multivariate Analysis ; Male ; Female ; Logistic Models ; Middle Aged ; Patient Positioning ; Adult

ObjectiveTo investigate the role of proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor alpha （TNFα） and interleukin-1β （IL-1β） in rostral ventromedial medulla （RVM） in chronic postsurgical pain （CPSP） induced by skin/muscle incision and retraction （SMIR）. MethodsSD rats were randomly divided into 5 groups： ① Sham group； ② SMIR group； ③ SMIR+TNFα/IL-1β neutralizing antibody group； ④ SMIR+TNFα/IL-1β group and ⑤ SMIR+vehicle group. 50% paw mechanical withdrawal threshold （MWT） was measured by the up-down method， immunofluroscence was used to detect the TNFα and IL-1β expression and ELISA for the 5-Hydroxytryptamine （5-HT） level. ResultsSMIR elicited persistent nociceptive sensitization， upregulated TNFα and IL-1β expression in RVM neurons and astrocytes. Microinjection of TNFα or IL-1β neutralizing antibody into RVM inhibited the development of nociceptive sensitization and decreased the level of 5-HT in both RVM and spinal dorsal horn. While microinjection of recombinant TNFα or IL-1β into RVM enhanced the development of nociceptive sensitization and increased the level of 5-HT in both RVM and spinal dorsal horn. ConclusionUp-regulation of proinflammatory cytokines in RVM may contribute to SMIR induced CPSP by promoting 5-HT release.

At present,there are many difficulties in the diagnosis and treatment of acute vestibular syndrome(AVS).For example,complex and difficult identification of the cause of disease,uneven diagnosis and treatment levels of clinical doctors,weak humanistic care awareness,lack of communication skills,intrinsic affinity and other reasons,which make it difficult for AVS patients in the process of diagnosis and treatment,and cannot receive timely and effective treatment,resulting in an exacerbation of doctor-patient conflicts.Therefore,it is recommended to explore new paths of AVS diagnosis and treatment work using the humanistic care concept,respect each other between doctors and patients,build a team of medical staff with the value orientation of"humanistic care",and promote the organic unity of theory and practice of"humanistic care",with a view to better promoting the implementation of AVS diagnosis and treatment work,helping more patients rebuild confidence,enhancing quality of life,and improving the doctor-patient relationship.

Objective:To explore the genetic etiology and clinical phenotype of a child with Triadin knockout syndrome (TKOS), and to review the relevant literature of TKOS patients due to variants of TRDN gene. Methods:A child who was admitted to the Children′s Hospital of Xi′an Jiaotong University on March 19, 2023 due to sudden cardiac arrest 3 days earlier was selected as the study subject. Peripheral blood samples (2 to 3 mL) were collected from the child and her parents for the extraction of genomic DNA and whole exome sequencing (WES). Pathogenic variants were searched from databases such as the Genome Aggregation Database (gnomAD) and Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM), and were assessed based on the guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG). Sanger sequencing was carried out for family validation of the pathogenic variants. Using keywords such as " arrhythmias" " TRDN" and " Triadin" both in Chinese and English, relevant literature on TKOS patients due to variants of the TRDN gene was retrieved from the CNKI, Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform, and PubMed databases, and the time of literature retrieval was set from January 1, 2012 to December 1, 2023. This study has been approved by the Ethics Committee of the Affiliated Children′s Hospital of Xi′an Jiaotong University (No. 20230097), and informed consent was obtained from the parents of the child. Results:The child had experienced syncope and cardiac arrest after exercise. Electrocardiographic examination revealed QTc interval prolongation, T-wave inversion in precordial leads V1-V3, polymorphic ventricular premature beat (VPB), and ventricular tachycardia (VT) along with increased heart rate. WES and Sanger sequencing revealed that the child has harbored a homozygous c.463del(p.E155Kfs*20) variant of the TRDN gene, for which both of the parents were heterozygous. Based on the guidelines from the ACMG, the variant was classified as pathogenic (PVS1+ PM2+ PM3). The child was ultimately diagnosed with TKOS. In total 12 publications on TOKS cases caused by TRDN gene variants were retrieved, which involved 30 patients and 28 carriers of single heterozygous variant of the TRDN gene. Among the 30 TKOS patients, 20 had carried homozygous variants of the TRDN gene, and 10 had carried compound heterozygous variants, and all had exhibited significant clinical phenotype of arrhythmia, with most cases had experienced malignant arrhythmia induced by exercise and/or excitement during infancy or early childhood, leading to recurrent syncope and cardiac arrest. Of note, none of the 28 carriers of single heterozygous variant had abnormal clinical phenotype. Conclusion:The homozygous c.463del(p.E155Kfs20) variant of the TRDN gene probably underlay the pathogenesis of cardiac arrest in this child. Above discovery has enriched the mutational spectrum of the TRDN gene.This mutation may represent a genetic cause for cardiac arrest in children with TKOS.

Objective:To reveal the effect of β-sitosterol on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (CIRI) in rats and whether its mechanism is related to endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS).Methods:Fifty-three CIRI rats (CIRI models established by modified Longa method) were randomly divided into model group ( n=14), β-sitosterol low-dose group ( n=13), β-sitosterol medium-dose group ( n=13) and β-sitosterol high-dose group ( n=13); 12 rats underwent the same operation without blocking the middle cerebral artery were selected as sham-operated group. Rats in the sham-operated group and model group were given intragastric administration of 1 mL 5 g/L sodium carboxymethyl cellulose daily. Rats in the β-sitosterol low-dose group, β-sitosterol medium-dose group and β-sitosterol high-dose group were given intragastric administration of 1 mL β-sitosterol at 10, 20 and 40 mg/kg/d (dissolved in 5 g/L sodium carboxymethyl cellulose), respectively, for 14 consecutive d. Neurological function was evaluated according to Zea Longa 5 method. Rats were sacrificed and brain tissues were collected. Volume of cerebral infarction was measured by 2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining. Brain injury and neuronal apoptosis were evaluated by HE staining, Nissl staining and TUNEL. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents were detected by water-soluble tetrazolium 1 (WST-1) method, colorimetric method or thiobarbituric acid (TBA) method, respectively. The mRNA and protein expression levels of protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK), inositol-requiring enzyme-1 (IRE-1), activated transcription factor-6 (ATF-6), glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78), C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) and Caspase-12 in the brain tissues were detected by qRT-PCR or Western blotting. Results:Compared with the sham-operated group, the model group had significantly increased neurological function score, cerebral infarction volume and TUNEL positive rate, decreased SOD and GSH-Px content, increased MDA content, and increased mRNA and protein expressions of PERK, IRE-1, ATF-6, GRP78, CHOP and Caspase-12 ( P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the β-sitosterol low-dose group, β-sitosterol medium-dose group and β-sitosterol high-dose group had significantly decreased neurological function score, cerebral infarction volume, and TUNEL positive rate, increased SOD and GSH-Px content, and decreased MDA content ( P<0.05); the β-sitosterol low-dose group, β-sitosterol medium-dose group and β-sitosterol high-dose group had significantly decreased mRNA and protein PERK expressions (mRNA: 2.17±0.17, 1.79±0.07 and 1.33±0.07; protein: 5.11±0.52, 2.91±0.26 and 1.98±0.17), IRE-1 expressions (mRNA: 1.75±0.18, 1.65±0.08 and 1.32±0.08; protein: 5.00±0.31, 4.05±0.27 and 1.98±0.14), ATF-6 expressions (mRNA: 2.24±0.12, 1.77±0.14 and 1.37±0.13; protein: 4.93±0.45, 4.04±0.30 and 3.10±0.20), GRP78 expressions (mRNA: 2.67±0.16, 2.11±0.16 and 1.69±0.11; protein: 5.02±0.38, 2.97±0.26 and 2.05±0.22), CHOP expressions (mRNA: 2.01±0.16, 1.70±0.19 and 1.40±0.10; protein: 4.92±0.39, 4.02±0.27 and 3.08±0.22) and Caspase-12 expressions (mRNA: 1.85±0.09, 1.61±0.09 and 1.30±0.09; protein: 3.03±0.20, 2.19±0.11 and 1.82±0.11) compared with the model group (mRNA: 2.99±0.28, 2.27±0.12, 2.57±0.21, 3.46±0.20, 2.50±0.23 and 2.35±0.16; protein: 6.98±0.48, 6.03±0.58, 5.98±0.63, 7.10±0.45, 6.00±0.53 and 5.02±0.43, P<0.05). Conclusion:β-sitosterol attenuates CIRI in rats, whose mechanism may be related to inhibition of ERS signal pathway.

Objective:To explore the changes in cardiac rehabilitation information needs of patients undergoing cryobaiioon ablation (CBA) for atrial fibrillation, analyze the influencing factors of different trajectory categories, so as to provide reference for rehabilitation guidance.Methods:From January 2022 to April 2023, convenience sampling was used to select patients who were planning to undergo CBA in the Cardiovascular Department at the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University as participants. Patients were surveyed using the Information Needs in Cardiac Rehabilitation Scale at one day before surgery (T0), one month after surgery (T1), three months after surgery (T2), and six months after surgery (T3) .Results:A total of 257 questionnaires were distributed, and 218 valid questionnaires were collected. The total scores of the Information Needs in Cardiac Rehabilitation Scale for 218 patients at T0, T1, T2, and T3 were (187.86±35.28), (183.27±34.98), (174.03±34.01), and (167.35±33.96), respectively. There was a statistically significant difference in the total scores of the Information Needs in Cardiac Rehabilitation Scale among 218 patients at different time points ( F=18.237, P<0.01). Four potential trajectory categories were fitted, namely the sustained medium high need group (40.83%, 89/218), the medium high need-decline group (36.70%, 80/218), the medium low need-improvement group (7.34%, 16/218), and the medium low need-decline group (15.14%, 33/218). Age, whether to merge underlying chronic diseases, place of residence, social support, and postoperative complications were potential trajectory factors affecting the cardiac rehabilitation information needs of atrial fibrillation patients ( P<0.05) . Conclusions:Medical and nursing staff should assess the development trajectory of patients' cardiac rehabilitation information needs as early as possible, emphasize the importance of cardiac rehabilitation, establish remote and controllable cardiac rehabilitation programs, encourage rural residents to participate in local community related cardiac rehabilitation activities, mobilize patients' social support resources, and improve their needs and compliance with cardiac rehabilitation.

This article retrospectively analyzes the clinical data of a patient with Addison′s disease complicated by torsades de pointes treated in Children′s Hospital Affiliated to Xi′an Jiaotong University in July 2021.The patient, female, aged 12 years, was hospitalized multiple times due to recurrent seizures, syncope, and coma, and had been successively diagnosed with fulminant myocarditis, supraventricular tachycardia, etc.She was later transferred to Children′s Hospital Affiliated to Xi′an Jiaotong University, where during hospitalization, electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring revealed torsades de pointes associated with the attacks.The ECG between attacks showed a prolonged Q-T interval, with the longest Q-Tc of 564 ms.Echocardiography suggested a slight enlargement of the left ventricle and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction.After a comprehensive examination, she was diagnosed with Addison′s disease.Treatment with intravenous Hydrocortisone for 3 days, followed by oral Hydrocortisone tablets, was administered sequentially.After treatment, symptoms such as syncope did not recur, and the Q-T interval gradually returned to normal.After continued treatment for 1 year, echocardiography revealed no abnormality.This report aims to enhance pediatricians′ understanding and research on the relationship between pediatric endocrine diseases and arrhythmias.

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is a peripheral vestibular disease with the highest incidence rate, and the elderly are the high incidence population. Particle repositioning maneuver, simple and practicable, and has good clinical effects, is recognized as the preferred treatment method for BPPV. However, the elderly patients have a higher prevalence rate, often suffer from multiple chronic diseases, and their various bodily functions have entered a declining stage, with poor response to treatment and a tendency to recur. Based on these, medical staff should continuously improve their professional abilities, and pay attention to and implement some comprehensive and multi-dimensional humanistic care measures from physiological to psychological aspects such as verbal encouragement, behavioral support, and spiritual integration during the diagnosis and treatment process, to improve the quality of life of elderly BPPV patients, reduce medical disputes, and save medical resources.