Objective To analyze and compare the disease burden, trends, and influencing factors of lung cancer in adolescents and young adults (AYAs) in China and globally from 1990 to 2021, providing a reference for the prevention and treatment of lung cancer in China. Methods Indicators of lung cancer disease burden in different genders and age groups in 204 countries or regions from 1990 to 2021 were retrieved and standardized from GBD 2021 database. The Joinpoint regression model was used to calculate the average annual percentage change (AAPC) of the standardized rates of lung cancer in AYAs in China and globally from 1990 to 2021; changes in incidence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) rates due to population growth, aging, and epidemiological changes were analyzed; differences in lung cancer disease burden in AYAs in different socio-demographic index (SDI) regions were analyzed; and the influencing factors of lung cancer in AYAs in China and globally were explored. Results From 1990 to 2021, the age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) (AAPC=−0.18%, P<0.001), age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) (AAPC=−0.62%, P<0.001), and age-standardized DALYs rate (AAPC=−0.62%, P<0.001) of lung cancer in AYAs in China showed a downward trend, consistent with the global trend, but the decline in China was relatively small. During this period, the age-standardized rates of various indicators of lung cancer in males in China and globally were higher than those in females, and the burden of lung cancer in Chinese males was heavier. However, due to the significant downward trend in males, the gap in lung cancer burden between males and females was narrowing. At the same time, from 2013 to 2021, the ASIR [annual percent change (APC)=2.01%, P<0.001], ASMR (APC=1.46%, P<0.001), and standardized DALYs rate (APC=1.46%, P<0.001) in China showed an upward trend. From 1990 to 2021, among the main influencing factors for the incidence, mortality, and DALYs rates of lung cancer in Chinese AYAs, the contribution of aging was upward-pushing, while the increase in global indicators was mainly attributed to population growth. The global burden of lung cancer in AYAs was overly concentrated in high SDI regions. Although the gap in lung cancer burden between high SDI and low SDI regions was narrowing, it remained widespread. Globally, smoking, environmental PM2.5, insufficient fruit intake, second-hand smoke, and indoor air pollution were prominent risk factors. Conclusion From 1990 to 2021, the global and Chinese AYAs lung cancer incidence and mortality rates generally show a downward trend, but the female lung cancer burden relatively increases, especially in young women without a history of smoking. Continued efforts are needed to reduce the burden of lung cancer in AYAs, especially the specific risk for young women.

OBJECTIVE: Previous studies have shown that insomnia is closely related to erectile dysfunction（ED）. However, the causal relationship between them is still unclear. Mendelian randomization (MR) provides a new method for studying the relationship between the two, and the theory of heart-kidney interaction in TCM provides a new idea for exploring the causal relationship between them. METHODS: Based on the statistical data collected by genome-wide association studies (GWAS), the causal relationship between insomnia and ED was discussed by MR. Inverse variance weighted (IVW) is the main analysis method, and weighted median (WME), simple mode (SM), weighted mode (WM) and MR Egger method were the supplementary analysis to evaluate the causal effect. MR-Egger intercept test, Cochran Q test and leave-one-out method were used in sensitivity analysis to verify the reliability of MR results. RESULTS: Thirty-nine SNPs significantly related to insomnia were finally included for MR analysis. The results of IVW method in MR analysis showed that insomnia had a significant causal relationship with the increased risk of ED (OR = 3.111，95% CI= 1.566－6.181，P=1.193×10－3). The results obtained by MR-Egger method, WME method, WM method and SM method were consistent with IVW method in the direction of effect. The sensitivity results suggested that the results of this study were robust. CONCLUSION Our study reveals the causal relationship between insomnia and ED, which provides a new basis for future clinical practice and prevention and treatment of ED.
Causality ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders/genetics* ; Erectile Dysfunction/genetics* ; Mendelian Randomization Analysis ; Genome-Wide Association Study ; Humans ; Male ; Heart/physiology* ; Kidney/physiology* ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Data Interpretation, Statistical

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of acupuncture on the neurotransmitter levels and gut microbiota in a mouse model of Tourette syndrome (TS). METHODS: Thirty-six male C57/BL6 mice were randomly divided into 4 groups using a random number table method: 3,3'-iminodipropionitrile (IDPN) group, control group, acupuncture group, and tiapride group, with 9 mice in each group. In the IDPN group, acupuncture group, and tiapride group, mice received daily intraperitoneal injections of IDPN (300 mg/kg body weight) for 7 consecutive days to induce stereotyped behaviors. Subsequently, in the acupuncture intervention group, standardized acupuncture treatment was administered for 14 consecutive days to IDPN-induced TS model mice. The selected acupoints included Baihui (DU 20), Yintang (DU 29), Waiguan (SJ 5), and Zulinqi (GB 41). In the tiapride group, mice were administered tiapride (50 mg/kg body weight) via oral gavage daily for 14 consecutive days. The control group, IDPN group, and acupuncture group received the same volume of saline orally for 14 consecutive days. Stereotypic behaviors were quantified through behavioral assessments. Neurotransmitter levels, including dopamine (DA), glutamate (Glu), and aspartate (ASP) in striatal tissue were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Dopamine transporter (DAT) expression levels were additionally quantified through quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Gut microbial composition was analyzed through 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing, while metabolic profiling was conducted using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). RESULTS: Acupuncture administration significantly attenuated stereotypic behaviors, concurrently reducing striatal levels of DA, Glu and ASP concentrations while upregulating DAT expression compared with untreated TS controls (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Comparative analysis identified significant differences in Muribaculaceae (P=0.001), Oscillospiraceae (P=0.049), Desulfovibrionaceae (P=0.001), and Marinifilaceae (P=0.014) following acupuncture intervention. Metabolomic profiling revealed alterations in 7 metabolites and 18 metabolic pathways when compared to the TS mice, which involved various amino acid metabolisms associated with DA, Glu, and ASP. CONCLUSIONS Acupuncture demonstrates significant modulatory effects on both central neurotransmitter systems and gut microbial ecology, thereby highlighting its dual therapeutic potential for TS management through gut-brain axis regulation.
Animals ; Tourette Syndrome/metabolism* ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Neurotransmitter Agents/metabolism* ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Male ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice

A deep learning-based method for recognizing the minutiae in fingerprint,as well as a Python programming-based evaluation system for quantifying the evidence value of fingerprint was proposed.Firstly,latent fingerprints,which were developed using a series of fluorescent nanomaterials synthesized by chemical methods,were used as unknown fingerprint(UKFP),while ink impressed fingerprints were used as known fingerprint(KFP).Then,the bifurcations and terminations in minutiae were recognized using the improved YOLOv8 deep learning model.After that,the similarity index(Sim.)of UKFP vs KFP were calculated by analyzing the angle similarity factor(α)and the curve similarity factor(β)between UKFP and KFP,meanwhile,the sensitivity index(Sen.)were calculated by analyzing the fineness factor(γ)between UKFP and KFP.The evidence value(EV)of fingerprint was thus obtained by the combination of Sim.and Sen..The calculation formulas for above evaluation factors(i.e.α,β and γ),evaluation indexes(i.e.Sim.and Sen.),and EV were also put forward.Finally,the evaluation system for quantifying the evidence value of fingerprint was established,the feasibility and reliability of this system were verified,and the external factors that impacted on Sim.,Sen.,and EV were investigated in detail.The Python-based evaluation system for quantifying the evidence value of fingerprint could achieve the goals objectively,comprehensively,accurately and efficiently,exhibiting easy operability,high efficiency,responsiveness and reliability.This research was expected to provide beneficial references for quantitatively evaluating and thoroughly developing the evidence value.

Objective To explore the risk factors for 28-day mortality of sepsis-associated acute kidney injury(SA-AKI)patients and to develop a nomogram risk prediction model.Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted,involving 184 patients with SA-AKI admitted to the intensive care unit(ICU)of the 940th Hospital of Joint Logistic Support Force of PLA between January 2017 and December 2022.Patients were categorized into survival(n=135)and non-survival(n=49)groups based on 28-day mortality.Clinical data were collected,and statistically significant risk factors were preliminarily screened.Multivariate stepwise logistic regression analysis was performed to identify independent risk factors for 28-day mortality of SA-AKI patients.A nomogram predictive model was constructed using these factors,and internally validated with the Bootstrap method.The receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC curve)was drawn,and the area under the ROC curve(AUC)was calculated to verify the predictive value and accuracy of the model.Results The 28-day mortality rate among 184 SA-AKI patients was 26.6％(49/184).Multivariate stepwise logistic regression analysis identified multiple organ dysfunction syndrome(MODS)(OR=16.393,95％CI 4.317-62.254,P＜0.001),high acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ(APACHE Ⅱ)score(OR=1.097,95％CI 1.036-1.161,P=0.002),low oxygenation index(OR=0.992,95％CI 0.986-0.998,P=0.015),low neutrophil count(OR=0.912,95％CI 0.860-0.968,P=0.002)and low fibrinogen concentration(OR=0.733,95％CI 0.549-0.978,P=0.034)as independent risk factors.The prediction model equation was P=1/1+e-logit(P),logit(P)=-1.626+2.797×MODS+0.092×AP ACHE Ⅱ+(-0.311)×fibrinogen+(-0.092)×neutrophil count+(-0.008)×oxygenation index.Internal validation with 1000 Bootstrap resamples showed high consistency between predicted and actual values.ROC analysis showed an AUC of 0.911(95％CI 0.868-0.955,P＜0.05)for the model,with 93.9％sensitivity and 78.5％specificity at a cut-off of 0.194.The Hosmer-Lemeshow test confirmed good calibration(P=0.62),and decision-making curve analysis demonstrated clinical utility within the high-risk threshold range(0.1-0.9).Conclusions MODS,high APACHE Ⅱ score,low oxygenation index,low neutrophil count,and low fibrinogen concentration are independent risk factors for 28-day mortality in SA-AKI patients.The developed nomogram risk prediction model may provide important guidance for predicting 28-day mortality in SA-AKI patients.

The lingnan liver-soothing and spirit-regulating acupuncture and moxibustion technique,developed by Professor FU Wen-Bin,a renowned traditional Chinese medicine expert in Guangdong Province,represents an innovative achievement in acupuncture therapy for depression-related disorders.Drawing upon the rich legacy of master scholars,meticulous study of medical literature,and over three decades of continuous research and innovation,Professor FU has formulated this technique with profound influence and widespread application.By tracing the developmental trajectory of the Lingnan liver-soothing and spirit-regulating technique,this paper sheds light on its significant guiding principles and reference value for the development of other distinctive acupuncture techniques.Furthermore,it offers insights and inspiration for advancement in various fields of traditional Chinese medicine.

Objectives: To investigated the safety and efficacy of treating patients with acute non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) and elevated levels of N-terminal pro-hormone B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) with levosimendan within 24 hours of first medical contact (FMC). Methods: This multicenter, open-label, block-randomized controlled trial (NCT03189901) investigated the safety and efficacy of levosimendan as an early management strategy of acute heart failure (EMS-AHF) for patients with NSTEMI and high NT-proBNP levels. This study included 255 patients with NSTEMI and elevated NT-proBNP levels, including 142 males and 113 females with a median age of 65 (58-70) years, and were admitted in the emergency or outpatient departments at 14 medical centers in China between October 2017 and October 2021. The patients were randomly divided into a levosimendan group (n=129) and a control group (n=126). The primary outcome measure was NT-proBNP levels on day 3 of treatment and changes in the NT-proBNP levels from baseline on day 5 after randomization. The secondary outcome measures included the proportion of patients with more than 30% reduction in NT-proBNP levels from baseline, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) during hospitalization and at 6 months after hospitalization, safety during the treatment, and health economics indices. The measurement data parameters between groups were compared using the t-test or the non-parametric test. The count data parameters were compared between groups using the χ² test. Results: On day 3, the NT-proBNP levels in the levosimendan group were lower than the control group but were statistically insignificant [866 (455, 1 960) vs. 1 118 (459, 2 417) ng/L, Z=-1.25,P=0.21]. However, on day 5, changes in the NT-proBNP levels from baseline in the levosimendan group were significantly higher than the control group [67.6% (33.8%,82.5%)vs.54.8% (7.3%,77.9%), Z=-2.14, P=0.03]. There were no significant differences in the proportion of patients with more than 30% reduction in the NT-proBNP levels on day 5 between the levosimendan and the control groups [77.5% (100/129) vs. 69.0% (87/126), χ²=2.34, P=0.13]. Furthermore, incidences of MACE did not show any significant differences between the two groups during hospitalization [4.7% (6/129) vs. 7.1% (9/126), χ²=0.72, P=0.40] and at 6 months [14.7% (19/129) vs. 12.7% (16/126), χ²=0.22, P=0.64]. Four cardiac deaths were reported in the control group during hospitalization [0 (0/129) vs. 3.2% (4/126), P=0.06]. However, 6-month survival rates were comparable between the two groups (log-rank test, P=0.18). Moreover, adverse events or serious adverse events such as shock, ventricular fibrillation, and ventricular tachycardia were not reported in both the groups during levosimendan treatment (days 0-1). The total cost of hospitalization [34 591.00(15 527.46,59 324.80) vs. 37 144.65(16 066.90,63 919.00)yuan, Z=-0.26, P=0.80] and the total length of hospitalization [9 (8, 12) vs. 10 (7, 13) days, Z=0.72, P=0.72] were lower for patients in the levosimendan group compared to those in the control group, but did not show statistically significant differences. Conclusions: Early administration of levosimendan reduced NT-proBNP levels in NSTEMI patients with elevated NT-proBNP and did not increase the total cost and length of hospitalization, but did not significantly improve MACE during hospitalization or at 6 months.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Aged ; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain ; Simendan/therapeutic use* ; Non-ST Elevated Myocardial Infarction ; Heart Failure/drug therapy* ; Peptide Fragments ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Biomarkers ; Prognosis

OBJECTIVES: To explore the etiology composition and outcomes of pediatric chronic critical illness (PCCI) in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). METHODS: The children who were hospitalized in the PICU of Dongguan Children's Hospital Affiliated to Guangdong Medical University and met the diagnostic criteria for PCCI from January 2017 to December 2022 were included in the study. The etiology of the children was classified based on their medical records and discharge diagnoses. Relevant clinical data during hospitalization were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: Among the 3 955 hospitalized children in the PICU from January 2017 to December 2022, 321 cases (8.12%) met the diagnostic criteria for PCCI. Among the 321 cases, the most common etiology was infection (71.3%, 229 cases), followed by unintentional injury (12.8%, 41 cases), postoperation (5.9%, 19 cases), tumors/immune system diseases (5.0%, 16 cases), and genetic and chromosomal diseases (5.0%, 16 cases). Among the 321 cases, 249 cases (77.6%) were discharged after improvement, 37 cases (11.5%) were discharged at the request of the family, and 35 cases (10.9%) died in the hospital. Among the deaths, infection accounted for 74% (26/35), unintentional injury accounted for 17% (6/35), tumors/immune system diseases accounted for 6% (2/35), and genetic and chromosomal diseases accounted for 3% (1/35). From 2017 to 2022, the proportion of PCCI in PICU diseases showed an increasing trend year by year (P<0.05). Among the 321 children with PCCI, there were 148 infants and young children (46.1%), 57 preschool children (17.8%), 54 school-aged children (16.8%), and 62 adolescents (19.3%), with the highest proportion in the infant and young children group (P<0.05). The in-hospital mortality rates of the four age groups were 14.9% (22/148), 8.8% (5/57), 5.6% (3/54), and 8.1% (5/62), respectively. The infant and young children group had the highest mortality rate, but there was no statistically significant difference among the four groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS The proportion of PCCI in PICU diseases is increasing, and the main causes are infection and unintentional injury. The most common cause of death in children with PCCI is infection. The PCCI patient population is mainly infants and young children, and the in-hospital mortality rate of infant and young children with PCCI is relatively high.
Adolescent ; Infant ; Child, Preschool ; Humans ; Child ; Critical Illness ; Prognosis ; Child, Hospitalized ; Chronic Disease ; Intensive Care Units, Pediatric

It is well established that plants as sessile organisms, are constantly threatened by various biotic and abiotic stresses in the living environment. So, during the long evolutionary process, sessile plants have to integrate a wide variety of environmental cues into their developmental programme to prioritize adaptive morphogenesis and metabolic pathways precise control. Previous studies have shown that the phenylpropane metabolic pathway is one of the important secondary metabolic pathways in plants, and the metabolites via phenylpropane metabolism, such as lignin, sporopollen, anthocyanin and organic acids, play an important role in the regulation of plant adaptive growth. In medicinal plants, the phenylpropane metabolic pathway is closely related to the synthesis of many medicinal active ingredients. Almost all natural medicinal molecules containing phenylpropane skeleton are synthesized directly or indirectly through this metabolic pathway, for example flavonoids, terpenoids, phenols, etc. In addition, some secondary metabolites biosynthesized through phenylpropane metabolic pathway can be secreted from the plant root system into the peripheral soil to affect plant growth and ability of abiotic and biotic stress resist, by changing the microbial ecology of plant root system. Meanwhile, this phenylpropane-mediated plant-microbe interaction can also affect the genuine characters of the medicinal plants. In this paper, we summarize the latest research progress of plant phenylpropane metabolic pathway, especially the physiological functions and expression regulation mechanism of the products of phenylpropane metabolic pathway are introduced. We aim to provide guidance for further understanding of the potential relationship between the quality of medicinal plants and plant phenylpropane metabolic pathway, in the end to direct excellent Chinese herbal medicine breeding, then to further promote the vigorous development of Chinese medicine in China.

Objective To measure the prevalence of mental health symptoms and identify the associated factors among college students at the beginning of coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)outbreak in China. Methods We carried out a multi-center cross-sectional study via snowball sampling and convenience sampling of the college students in different areas of China.The rates of self-reported depression,anxiety,and stress and post-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD)were assessed via the 21-item Depression-Anxiety-Stress Scale(DASS-21)and the 6-item Impact of Event Scale-Revised(IES-6),respectively.Covariates included sociodemographic characteristics,health-related data,and information of the social environment.Data pertaining to mental health service seeking were also collected.Multivariate Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the risk factors. Results A total of 3641 valid questionnaires were collected from college students.At the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak,535(14.69%)students had negative emotions,among which 402(11.04%),381(10.49%),and 171(4.90%)students had the symptoms of depression,anxiety,and stress,respectively.Meanwhile,1245(34.19%)college students had PTSD.Among the risk factors identified,male gender was associated with a lower likelihood of reporting depression symptoms(AOR=0.755,P=0.037],and medical students were at higher risk of depression and stress symptoms than liberal arts students(AOR=1.497,P=0.003;AOR=1.494,P=0.045).Family support was associated with lower risks of negative emotions and PTSD in college students(AOR=0.918,P<0.001;AOR=0.913,P<0.001;AOR=0.899,P<0.001;AOR=0.971,P=0.021). Conclusions College students were more sensitive to public health emergencies,and the incidence of negative emotions and PTSD was significantly higher than that before the outbreak of COVID-19.More attention should be paid to female college students who were more likely to develop negative emotions.We should strengthen positive and proper propaganda via mass media and help college students understand the situation and impact of COVID-19.Furthermore,we should enhance family support for college students.The government and relevant agencies need to provide appropriate mental health services to the students under similar circumstances to avoid the deterioration of their mental well-being.
COVID-19/epidemiology* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Health Status ; Humans ; Male ; Students/psychology* ; Universities