Objective To investigatethe relationship between gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms and clinicopathological characteristics, p53 expression, and survival of Chinese patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma. Methods A total of 3882 patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma, 970 matched patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, and 970 matched patients with gastric cardia adenocarcinoma were included to compare the incidence of GERD symptoms. Patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma were divided into two groups according to the presence and absence of GERD symptoms. The differences in clinicopathological characteristics and p53 expression between the two groups were compared by chi-square test, and the differences in survival between the two groups were compared by landmark analysis. Results The incidence of GERD symptoms increased successively in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, esophageal adenocarcinoma, and gastric cardia adenocarcinoma. In patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma, the proportions of male, less than 65 years old, lower thoracic tumors, tumors without squamous cell carcinoma, poorly differentiation, early tumors (stage 0-I), and p53-positive tumors in the group with GERD symptoms were higher than those in the group without GERD symptoms; moreover, the long-term survival (≥15 years) was better. Conclusion GERD symptom is an important clinical sign of esophageal adenocarcinoma. It is closely related to specific clinicopathological characteristics, p53 overexpression, and good long-term prognosis.

Azvudine and nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (Paxlovid) are recommended for COVID-19 treatment in China, but their safety and efficacy in the elderly population are not fully known. In this multicenter, retrospective, cohort study, we identified 5131 elderly hospitalized COVID-19 patients from 32,864 COVID-19 patients admitted to nine hospitals in Henan Province, China, from December 5, 2022, to January 31, 2023. The primary outcome was all-cause death, and the secondary outcome was composite disease progression. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed to control for confounding factors, including demographics, vaccination status, comorbidities, and laboratory tests. After 2:1 PSM, 1786 elderly patients receiving azvudine and 893 elderly patients receiving Paxlovid were included. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses revealed that compared with Paxlovid group, azvudine could significantly reduce the risk of all-cause death (log-rank P = 0.002; HR: 0.71, 95% CI: 0.573-0.883, P = 0.002), but there was no difference in composite disease progression (log-rank P = 0.52; HR: 1.05, 95% CI: 0.877-1.260, P = 0.588). Four sensitivity analyses verified the robustness of above results. Subgroup analysis suggested that a greater benefit of azvudine over Paxlovid was observed in elderly patients with primary malignant tumors (P for interaction = 0.005, HR: 0.32, 95% CI: 0.18-0.57) compared to patients without primary malignant tumors. Safety analysis revealed that azvudine treatment had a lower incidence of adverse events and higher lymphocyte levels than Paxlovid treatment. In conclusion, azvudine treatment is not inferior to Paxlovid treatment in terms of all-cause death, composite disease progression and adverse events in elderly hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

Objective:To investigate the diversity, temporal dynamics and influencing factors of serotypes of Salmonella among asymptomatic workers in Yulin, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, from 2013 to 2023, and provide reference for controlling the hidden transmission of Salmonella and for disease prevention among healthy populations. Methods:Anal rectal swabs were collected from asymptomatic workers in Yulin from 2013 to 2023 for the isolation and identification of Salmonella. The diversity of serotypes of Salmonella was evaluated by using Shannon index, while the isolation rates and composition ratio of different serotypes were compared with χ2 test. Spearman correlation analysis was used to evaluate the correlation of natural and social factors with serotype isolation rates for more than eight years, and stepwise multiple linear regression analysis were used to evaluate the impact of social factors on the serotype isolation rates for more than 8 years. Results:A total of 8 073 strains of Salmonella were isolated from 2013 to 2023, with an overall isolation rate of 18.88‰ During the 11-year period, 135 serotypes of Salmonella were identified, and the serotype diversity increased first and then decreased. The serotype with the highest isolation rate was Salmonella Typhimurium (3.04‰), followed by Salmonella Rissen (1.70‰), Salmonella Corvallis (1.41‰), Salmonella Agona (1.36‰), Salmonella Derby (1.22‰), and Salmonella London (1.02‰), accounting for 51.67% of the total Salmonella serotypes isolated. There was no significant trend in isolation rate of Salmonella over the years ( χ2=0.67, P=0.415); however, season significantly influenced the isolation rate, with lower rate being observed in winter and higher rate in summer ( χ2=615.91, P<0.001). The isolation rate of different serotypes of Salmonella was influenced by social and natural factors, showing a positive correlation with temperature, precipitation, and poultry consumption and production levels. Conclusions:The serotypes of Salmonella carried by asymptomatic workers were complex and diverse in Yulin, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, from 2013 to 2023, and the isolation rates of multi-serotypes increased from 2013 to 2023. Higher isolation rate was observed in summer and the isolation rate was widely influenced by natural factors such as temperature and precipitation, as well as social factors such as economic conditions. It is necessary to pay attention to the Salmonella serotype carriage in healthy population, and strengthen monitoring of both healthy individuals and pathogenic bacteria.

Objective:To investigate the impact of early invasive arterial blood pressure (IBP) monitoring on survival and neurological outcomes in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients undergoing extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR).Methods:This retrospective cohort study analyzed 44 OHCA patients receiving ECPR between January 2021 and January 2023. Patients were divided into: Early intervention group : IBP established within 3 min of ECMO initiation; Late intervention group : IBP established after ICU admission. Baseline characteristics, ECMO parameters, and clinical outcomes were compared. Multivariable logistic regression (adjusted for age, initial rhythm, etc.) and Spearman's correlation were used.Results:This study included a total of 44 patients treated with OHCA and ECPR, divided into an early intervention group of 23 cases and a late intervention group of 21 cases. The early intervention group showed significantly higher: Survival to discharge (43.5% vs. 9.5%, P<0.05), Good neurological recovery (CPC 1-2: 34.8% vs. 9.5%, P<0.05).Early intervention independently predicted survival (adjusted OR=18.84, 95% CI:1.97-179.98, P=0.01). Stratified analysis by pH (cutoff 7.0) demonstrated consistent benefits in both pH>7.0 ( aOR=0.392, 95% CI:0.106-0.678) and pH≤7.0 subgroups ( aOR=0.385, 95% CI: 0.075-0.695; interaction P=0.183). Early IBP positively correlated with CPC scores ( ρ=0.40, P=0.007). Conclusions:Early IBP monitoring significantly improves survival and neurological outcomes in OHCA-ECPR patients, supporting its integration into standardized protocols.

Objective:To investigate the diversity, temporal dynamics and influencing factors of serotypes of Salmonella among asymptomatic workers in Yulin, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, from 2013 to 2023, and provide reference for controlling the hidden transmission of Salmonella and for disease prevention among healthy populations. Methods:Anal rectal swabs were collected from asymptomatic workers in Yulin from 2013 to 2023 for the isolation and identification of Salmonella. The diversity of serotypes of Salmonella was evaluated by using Shannon index, while the isolation rates and composition ratio of different serotypes were compared with χ2 test. Spearman correlation analysis was used to evaluate the correlation of natural and social factors with serotype isolation rates for more than eight years, and stepwise multiple linear regression analysis were used to evaluate the impact of social factors on the serotype isolation rates for more than 8 years. Results:A total of 8 073 strains of Salmonella were isolated from 2013 to 2023, with an overall isolation rate of 18.88‰ During the 11-year period, 135 serotypes of Salmonella were identified, and the serotype diversity increased first and then decreased. The serotype with the highest isolation rate was Salmonella Typhimurium (3.04‰), followed by Salmonella Rissen (1.70‰), Salmonella Corvallis (1.41‰), Salmonella Agona (1.36‰), Salmonella Derby (1.22‰), and Salmonella London (1.02‰), accounting for 51.67% of the total Salmonella serotypes isolated. There was no significant trend in isolation rate of Salmonella over the years ( χ2=0.67, P=0.415); however, season significantly influenced the isolation rate, with lower rate being observed in winter and higher rate in summer ( χ2=615.91, P<0.001). The isolation rate of different serotypes of Salmonella was influenced by social and natural factors, showing a positive correlation with temperature, precipitation, and poultry consumption and production levels. Conclusions:The serotypes of Salmonella carried by asymptomatic workers were complex and diverse in Yulin, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, from 2013 to 2023, and the isolation rates of multi-serotypes increased from 2013 to 2023. Higher isolation rate was observed in summer and the isolation rate was widely influenced by natural factors such as temperature and precipitation, as well as social factors such as economic conditions. It is necessary to pay attention to the Salmonella serotype carriage in healthy population, and strengthen monitoring of both healthy individuals and pathogenic bacteria.

OBJECTIVE: Our study aimed to conduct genomic characterization of Salmonella strains carrying the bla _NDM-1 gene in the intestinal tract of healthy individuals. The objectives were to underscore the importance of genomic surveillance for drug resistance in both commensal and pathogenic bacteria among healthy populations, and to establish protocols for regulating drug resistance plasmids based on the completion of a comprehensive map of drug resistance plasmid genomes. METHODS: We performed antimicrobial susceptibility testing and employed second- and third-generation sequencing techniques to analyze Salmonella strains harboring the bla _NDM-1 gene, to surveil drug-resistant bacteria in the intestines of healthy subjects. Sequence comparison was conducted using both core- and pan-genome approaches. Concurrently, conjugation experiments were carried out to assess the efficiency of plasmid transfer. RESULTS: We isolated a carbapenem-resistant Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium strain from a healthy food worker in China. This strain harbored an IncHI2/IncHI2A plasmid carrying bla _NDM-1 along with multiple antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Our findings highlight the potential for asymptomatic carriers to facilitate the transmission of ARGs. Pan-genomic analysis revealed that bla _NDM-1-positive plasmids could traverse bacterial species barriers, facilitating cross-host transmission. CONCLUSION This study marks the first detection of bla _NDM-1 in Salmonella strains isolated from healthy individuals. We underscore the risk associated with the transmission of conjugative hybrid plasmids carrying bla _NDM-1, which have the potential to be harbored and transmitted among healthy individuals. Enhanced surveillance of drug-resistant pathogens and plasmids in the intestinal microbiota of healthy individuals could provide insights into the risk of ARG transmission and pathways for population-wide dissemination via ARG transfer factors.
beta-Lactamases/genetics* ; Plasmids/genetics* ; Humans ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology* ; China ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Salmonella typhimurium/isolation & purification* ; Salmonella/isolation & purification* ; Salmonella Infections/microbiology*

Objective:To investigate the necessity of internal fixation of the fibular fracture in the treatment of degree Ⅱ ankle supination-external rotation injury by the Dias-Tachdjian classification in children.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted to analyze the data of 69 children with ankle fracture (degree Ⅱ ankle supination-external rotation injury by the Dias-Tachdjian classification) who had been treated at Department of Orthopedic Trauma, The People's Hospital of Weifang and Department of Pediatric Orthopedics, Tianjin Hospital from January 2015 to October 2021. There were 41 males and 28 females with an age of (10.1±1.4) years, and 37 left and 32 right sides affected. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to whether internal fixation of the fibular fracture was performed. Group A consisted of 21 cases with fibular internal fixation and group B of 48 cases without fibular internal fixation. The preoperative data, operation time and operation expenses were recorded and compared between the 2 groups. At the last follow-up, the anteroposterior and lateral radiographs of bilateral full length lower limbs and ankle joints were taken; the lateral distal tibial angle (LDTA) and the anterior distal tibial angle (ADTA) on the affected side, and the disparity between bilateral ankle tibiotalar angles were measured; ankle function was assessed according to the ankle-hindfoot score of American Association of Foot and Ankle Surgery (AOFAS); the occurrence of premature physeal closure (PPC) was recorded.Results:There was no significant difference in the preoperative general data between the 2 groups, indicating comparability ( P>0.05). All patients were followed up for (19.5±4.1) months. At the last follow-up, the LDTA on the affected side was 89.6° (87.9°, 90.5°) in group A and 88.6°±1.9° in group B; the ADTA on the affected side was 80.9° (79.0°, 81.4°) in group A and 80.0° (78.6°, 81.2°) in group B; the disparity between bilateral ankle tibiotalar angles was 1.1°±0.5° in group A and 1.2°±0.5° in group B; the AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score was (89.5±5.2) points in group A and 89.0 (87.0, 92.0) points in group B. There was no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups in the above items ( P>0.05). The incidence of PPC was, respectively, 14.3% (3/21) and 14.6% (7/48) in groups A and B, showing no statistically significant difference ( P>0.05). Conclusions:In the treatment of degree Ⅱ ankle supination-external rotation injury in children, internal fixation of the fibular fracture has no significant effect on the imaging angles or the function of the ankle joint. After anatomic reduction of the distal tibia, the fibular fracture can be treated without internal fixation to reduce operational trauma, shorten operation time and reduce operation expenses.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a terminal disease of the lung. Its pathogenesis mechanism and pathogenesis evolution are very complex, which is closely related to epithelial-mesenchymal transformation (EMT). Under the guidance of the theory of "deficient-qi induced stagnation", this article elaborated on the relationship between IPF, "deficient-qi induced stagnation", and EMT from the perspective of TCM and Western medicine. It is believed that "deficient-qi induced stagnation" is the macroscopic pathogenesis of IPF, and EMT is the microscopic mechanism of IPF. The micro-mechanism was to inhibit EMT as the treatment target to prevent epithelial cell injury and apoptosis, thus reducing the release of inflammatory factors, pro-fibrosis factors and other factors that damage lung tissue and the transformation of damaged epithelial cells into fibroblasts and produce a large number of ECM deposition; the occurrence and development process of IPF was summarized in the macro pathogenesis. It was highly condensed that IPF was based on "deficiency-qi", "stagnation" as the standard, and the basic pathogenesis characteristics of "stagnation" due to deficiency, as well as the pathogenesis development characteristics of the vicious cycle of "deficiency leads to stagnation, and from stagnation to deficiency". Based on the theory of "deficient-qi induced stagnation", it should be used to tonify deficiency and clear stagnation; tonifying deficiency includes replenishing lung qi, benefiting qi and nourishing yin, and mutual generation between metal and water; clearing stagnation includes circulating qi and blood, drying the wetness and eliminating phlegm, and promoting blood circulation for removing obstruction in collaterals, etc. In clinical application, attention should be paid to the fact that tonifying deficiency and clearing stagnation should be used in parallel.

Objective Our study aimed to conduct genomic characterization of Salmonella strains carrying the b/aNDM-1 gene in the intestinal tract of healthy individuals.The objectives were to underscore the importance of genomic surveillance for drug resistance in both commensal and pathogenic bacteria among healthy populations,and to establish protocols for regulating drug resistance plasmids based on the completion of a comprehensive map of drug resistance plasmid genomes.Methods We performed antimicrobial susceptibility testing and employed second-and third-generation sequencing techniques to analyze Salmonella strains harboring the b/aNDM-1 gene,to surveil drug-resistant bacteria in the intestines of healthy subjects.Sequence comparison was conducted using both core-and pan-genome approaches.Concurrently,conjugation experiments were carried out to assess the efficiency of plasmid transfer.Results We isolated a carbapenem-resistant Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium strain from a healthy food worker in China.This strain harbored an lncHI2/lncHI2A plasmid carrying blaNDM-1 along with multiple antibiotic resistance genes(ARGs).Our findings highlight the potential for asymptomatic carriers to facilitate the transmission of ARGs.Pan-genomic analysis revealed that b/aNDM-1-positive plasmids could traverse bacterial species barriers,facilitating cross-host transmission.Conclusion This study marks the first detection of b/aNDM-1 in Salmonella strains isolated from healthy individuals.We underscore the risk associated with the transmission of conjugative hybrid plasmids carrying blaNDM-1,which have the potential to be harbored and transmitted among healthy individuals.Enhanced surveillance of drug-resistant pathogens and plasmids in the intestinal microbiota of healthy individuals could provide insights into the risk of ARG transmission and pathways for population-wide dissemination via ARG transfer factors.

Objective:To investigate the application of artificial intelligence based on the neural network radiation field in repair of soft tissue defects at lower limbs.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed of the 23 patients who had been admitted to Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University from June 2020 to May 2022 for soft tissue defects at lower limbs. There were 14 males and 9 females, aged (38.6±6.7) years. Causes for soft tissue defects: traffic injury in 9 cases, benign or malignant primary soft tissue tumor in 6 cases, mechanical injury in 4 cases, crush injury in 2 cases, and chronic ulcer in 2 cases. Defect locations: the thigh in 3 cases, the lower leg in 7 cases, and the ankle and distal foot in 13 cases. The areas of soft tissue defect ranged from 6.0 cm×3.8 cm to 14.7 cm×12.8 cm. The defects were repaired and reconstructed by transplantation of an anterolateral femoral free flap in 7 cases and a pedicled flap in 16 cases with the assistance of artificial intelligence based on the neural network radiation field, a cutting-edge artificial intelligence algorithm that can quickly construct and process three-dimensional model images through volume rendering under the radiation field. The flap survival rate, aesthetic satisfaction before and after treatment, time for skin flap harvesting and transplantation, functional recovery of lower limbs and incidence of complications were recorded.Results:All the 23 patients were followed up for 32(28, 36) weeks. All the flaps were harvested smoothly and survived. The time for flap harvesting and transplantation was 65.8(50.0, 76.0) min. The aesthetic satisfaction scored (2.3±0.7) points before treatment and (8.4±1.6) points 4 weeks after treatment, showing a statistically significant difference ( P<0.05). The skin flaps healed well with no complications such as hematoma or infection in all but one patient who suffered from superficial necrosis at the distal skin flap due to venous crisis but healed with a scar. On average, the functional recovery of lower limbs scored 23.7(22.0, 25.0) points at 12 weeks after operation according to the Enneking evaluation system, and the functional recovery of lower limbs was 79% (23.7/30.0). Conclusion:Application of artificial intelligence based on the neural network radiation field can achieve ideal results in repair of soft tissue defects at lower limbs, due to its advantages of rapid and accurate surgical procedures, limited damage to the donor site, and a short learning curve.