Objective To investigate the epidemiological characteristics of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in elderly patients at a hospital in Hengshui and its correlation with climatic and environmental factors. Methods A retrospective study was conducted on 826 elderly patients with RSV infection who were hospitalized in the Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine Department of Hengshui People's Hospital from June 2022 to May 2024. Clinical data of the patients were collected. Based on the climatic and environmental data of the Hengshui region during the same period, the epidemiological characteristics of RSV in the elderly population were analyzed. Pearson analysis was used to examine the correlation between RSV incidence and climatic and environmental factors. Results Among the 826 elderly RSV infected patients, males (54.24%) had a higher incidence than females (45.76%). The age of onset was highest in elderly people aged ≥ 80 (39.47%), followed by the age group of 70-79 (32.08%). Cough (89.95%) and sputum (71.19%) were the main clinical symptoms of elderly RSV infected patients. 28.57% of the elderly patients with RSV infection had basic diseases, of which the patients with diabetes accounted for the highest proportion (12.35%), followed by cardiovascular diseases (10.41%). The proportion of patients with mixed infections reached 4.60%, and the proportion of patients with other systemic complications reached 1.69%. From the perspective of the season of onset, the number of elderly RSV cases was highest in spring and winter, accounting for 39.47% and 47.09%, respectively. The correlation analysis results showed that the number of elderly RSV cases was negatively correlated with average wind speed (r=-0.196), average temperature (r=-0.731), and average humidity (r=-0.729), and weakly positively correlated with average atmospheric pressure (r=0.085) (all P<0.05). Conclusion In the elderly population, RSV infection is more prevalent among males and the very old, with a higher incidence during the winter and spring seasons, and is closely related to climate changes in the Hengshui region.

Objective To compare the effectiveness of femoral neck system(FNS)and inverted triangle cannulated screws(ITCS)in the treatment of femoral neck fractures in young adults.Methods A retrospective study was conducted on 106 young and middle-aged patients who had been surgically treated for femoral neck fracture at our hospital from December 2020 to June 2022.The patients were assigned to FNS group(57 cases)or ITCS group(49 cases)according to the different internal fixations.The operation time,intraoperative fluoroscopy frequency,intraoperative blood loss,extra assisted reduction procedures(Kirschner wire prying reduction or open reduction),hospital stays,healing time,complications,postoperative recovery,and follow-up duration were compared between the two groups.Results The operation time,fluoroscopy frequency,and healing time in the FNS group were less than those in the ITCS group(P<0.001).The shortening degree and length of femoral neck in moderate and severe patients of the FNS group were lower than those of the ITCS group(P<0.001).The Harris score of the FNS group was higher than that of the ITCS group 12 months after surgery(P<0.001).There was no significant difference in intraoperative blood loss,reduction assistance,Garden index,or hospital stays between the two groups(P>0.05).Conclusion FNS is a better choice for internal fixation in patients with femoral neck fractures than ITCS,with faster recovery and less postoperative complications.

Objective To compare the effectiveness of femoral neck system(FNS)and inverted triangle cannulated screws(ITCS)in the treatment of femoral neck fractures in young adults.Methods A retrospective study was conducted on 106 young and middle-aged patients who had been surgically treated for femoral neck fracture at our hospital from December 2020 to June 2022.The patients were assigned to FNS group(57 cases)or ITCS group(49 cases)according to the different internal fixations.The operation time,intraoperative fluoroscopy frequency,intraoperative blood loss,extra assisted reduction procedures(Kirschner wire prying reduction or open reduction),hospital stays,healing time,complications,postoperative recovery,and follow-up duration were compared between the two groups.Results The operation time,fluoroscopy frequency,and healing time in the FNS group were less than those in the ITCS group(P<0.001).The shortening degree and length of femoral neck in moderate and severe patients of the FNS group were lower than those of the ITCS group(P<0.001).The Harris score of the FNS group was higher than that of the ITCS group 12 months after surgery(P<0.001).There was no significant difference in intraoperative blood loss,reduction assistance,Garden index,or hospital stays between the two groups(P>0.05).Conclusion FNS is a better choice for internal fixation in patients with femoral neck fractures than ITCS,with faster recovery and less postoperative complications.

Objective To analyze and compare the efficacy of DNA barcode,i.e.,Cytochrome b(Cytb)and 12S ribosomal RNA(12S rRNA)gene sequences,in the species identification of wildlife.Methods DNA extraction,quantification,PCR amplification of Cytb and 12S rRNA gene fragments,Sanger sequencing,and sequence alignment analysis were performed on ten wildlife samples.Results Both gene fragments were successfully amplified in six samples,while Cytb alone was successfully amplified in 1 sample,and 12S rRNA alone in 3 samples.Sequence analysis indicated that Cytb enabled species-level identification for 6 samples(Gallinula chloropus,Streptopelia orientalis,Phasianus colchicus,Falco naumanni,Myiopsitta monachus and Lynx lynx)and genus-level identification for 1 sample(Lepus).In contrast,12S rRNA achieved species-level identificaggion for 8 samples(Gallinula chloropus,Lepus sinensis,Phasianus colchicus,Myiopsitta monachus,Muntiacus reevesi,Macaca mulatta and Lynx lynx),representing seven species,and genus-level identification for 1 sample(Falco).However,by combining Cytb and 12S rRNA,all samples could be identified to the species level.Conclusion When applying DNA barcodes to wildlife identification,the Cytb and 12S rRNA gene regions analyzed here can effectively identify common species such as Gallinula chloropus and Streptopelia orientalis,but face difficulties in distinguishing closely related species within the same genus.Therefore,when conducting wildlife species identification,it is recommended to use two or more DNA barcode markers.

Objective To analyze and compare the efficacy of DNA barcode,i.e.,Cytochrome b(Cytb)and 12S ribosomal RNA(12S rRNA)gene sequences,in the species identification of wildlife.Methods DNA extraction,quantification,PCR amplification of Cytb and 12S rRNA gene fragments,Sanger sequencing,and sequence alignment analysis were performed on ten wildlife samples.Results Both gene fragments were successfully amplified in six samples,while Cytb alone was successfully amplified in 1 sample,and 12S rRNA alone in 3 samples.Sequence analysis indicated that Cytb enabled species-level identification for 6 samples(Gallinula chloropus,Streptopelia orientalis,Phasianus colchicus,Falco naumanni,Myiopsitta monachus and Lynx lynx)and genus-level identification for 1 sample(Lepus).In contrast,12S rRNA achieved species-level identificaggion for 8 samples(Gallinula chloropus,Lepus sinensis,Phasianus colchicus,Myiopsitta monachus,Muntiacus reevesi,Macaca mulatta and Lynx lynx),representing seven species,and genus-level identification for 1 sample(Falco).However,by combining Cytb and 12S rRNA,all samples could be identified to the species level.Conclusion When applying DNA barcodes to wildlife identification,the Cytb and 12S rRNA gene regions analyzed here can effectively identify common species such as Gallinula chloropus and Streptopelia orientalis,but face difficulties in distinguishing closely related species within the same genus.Therefore,when conducting wildlife species identification,it is recommended to use two or more DNA barcode markers.

Objective:To analyze the predictive value of serum transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) after single-port thoracoscopic radical resection.Methods:A total of 50 patients with NSCLC who underwent single-port thoracoscopic radical resection in Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University from May 2018 to May 2020 were selected as the observation objects. Serum TGF-β1, VEGF levels and Karnofsky functional status (KPS) scores before and after surgery were compared, and the total incidence of complications was calculated. All subjects were followed up for 3 years, and serum levels of TGF-β1, VEGF and KPS scores were compared between relapsed group and non-relapsed group, survival group and death group. Pearson correlation analysis was used to explore the correlation between TGF-β1, VEGF and KPS scores. The receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted and the area under the curve (AUC) was calculated to evaluate the predictive value of serum TGF-β1 and VEGF alone and combined detection in patients with NSCLC after single-port thoracoscopic radical resection.Results:The serum levels of TGF-β1 and VEGF were (7.16±1.94) μg/L and (42.26±5.04) ng/L in 50 patients with NSCLC one month after single-port thoracoscopic radical resection, which were lower than those before surgery [ (13.62±3.52) μg/L and (136.52±20.66) ng/L, t=11.37, P<0.001; t=31.34, P<0.001]. The KPS score one month after surgery was 66.57±8.11, which was higher than that before surgery (53.62±5.62, t=9.28, P<0.001). Postoperative wound healing was delayed in 1 of the 50 patients, pulmonary infection in 1 patient, and no pulmonary embolism and other complications occurred. The total incidence of complications was 4.00%. The serum levels of TGF-β1 and VEGF in patients in the relapsed group ( n=6) were (12.95±4.26) μg/L and (72.46±6.05) ng/L respectively, which were higher than those in the non-relapsed group ( n=44) [ (6.37±1.25) μg/L and (38.14±5.37) ng/L; t=8.34, P<0.001; t=29.99, P<0.001]. The KPS score in the relapsed group was 52.16±8.16, which was lower than that in the non-relapsed group (67.55±12.67, t=2.88, P=0.006). Serum levels of TGF-β1 and VEGF in the death group ( n=5) were (13.99±6.82) μg/L and (75.95±9.05) ng/L, which were higher than those in the survival group ( n=45) [ (6.41±3.06) μg/L and (38.52±8.37) ng/L; t=4.56, P<0.001; t=21.47, P<0.001]. The KPS score in the death group was 1.25±0.34, which was lower than that in the survival group (65.11±12.94, t=10.93, P<0.001). Pearson correlation analysis showed that serum levels of TGF-β1 ( r=-0.45, P<0.001) and VEGF ( r=-0.48, P<0.001) were negatively correlated with KPS scores. ROC curve analysis showed that when the optimal cut-off value of TGF-β1 was 8.14 μg/L, the AUC for predicting recurrence after single-port thoracoscopic radical resection was 0.516 (95% CI: 0.446-0.676), the sensitivity was 71.85%, and the specificity was 80.69%. When the optimal cut-off value of VEGF was 142 ng/L, the AUC was 0.659 (95% CI: 0.534-0.761), the sensitivity was 76.04%, and the specificity was 82.52%. The AUC of the combined detection was 0.828 (95% CI: 0.786-0.951), the sensitivity was 91.86%, and the specificity was 87.52%. The AUC of combined detection was higher than that of serum TGF-β1 ( Z=2.63, P=0.007), VEGF ( Z=2.32, P=0.013) single detection. Conclusion:The serum levels of TGF-β1 and VEGF are significantly decreased in NSCLC patients after one month of single-port thoracoscopic radical resection, and the combined detection of the two has predictive value for recurrence after single-port thoracoscopic radical resection.

Purpose: Varlitinib is a pan-human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER) inhibitor targeting epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), and HER4. We present a phase Ib/II study of a combination of varlitinib and weekly paclitaxel as a second-line treatment for patients with EGFR/HER2 co-expressing advanced gastric cancer (AGC). Materials and Methods: Patients whose tumors with EGFR and HER2 overexpression by immunohistochemistry (≥ 1+) were enrolled. Varlitinib and paclitaxel were investigated every 4 weeks. After determining the recommended phase II dose (RP2D) in phase Ib, a phase II study was conducted to evaluate the antitumor activity. Results: RP2D was treated with a combination of varlitinib (300 mg twice daily) and paclitaxel. Among 27 patients treated with RP2D, the median progression-free survival and overall survival (OS) were 3.3 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.7 to 4.9) and 7.9 months (95% CI, 5.0 to 10.8), respectively, with a median follow-up of 15.7 months. Among 16 patients with measurable disease, the objective response rate (ORR) and disease control rate were 31% and 88%, respectively. Patients with strong HER2 expression (n=8) had a higher ORR and longer OS, whereas those with strong EGFR expression (n=3) had poorer outcomes. The most common adverse events (AEs) of any grade were neutropenia (52%), diarrhea (27%), aspartate aminotransferase/alanine transaminase elevation (22%), and nausea (19%). No treatment-related deaths or unexpected AEs resulting from treatment cessation were observed in patients with RP2D. Conclusion A combination of varlitinib and paclitaxel displayed manageable toxicity and modest antitumor activity in patients with EGFR/HER2 co-expressing AGC who progressed after first-line chemotherapy.

Animals ; Cardiomegaly ; Constriction ; Heart ; Mice

Gastrectomy ; Humans ; Lymph Node Excision ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms/surgery*

Objective To understand the basic information and epidemic characteristics of new cases of cysticercosis in Dali Prefecture, Yunnan Province, so as to provide the evidence for formulating the prevention and control strategy of cysticercosis. Methods The data of inpatients in the Dali Parasitic Disease Prevention and Control Center from 2014 to 2017 were collected and the eligible data of new cases of cysticercosis were analyzed by the epidemiological method. Results There were 1 552 patients with cysticercosis, including 549 new cases of cysticercosis. Among the new cysticercosis patients, most were neurocysticer-cosis cases (484 / 549, 88.16%). The symptoms included epilepsy and headache (51.73%), headache (40.98%), and dizziness (18.76%). The new cysticercosis patients were mainly middle-aged male farmers of Bai nationality, and they were distributed in all counties (cities) of Dali Prefecture, especially in Eryuan County (26.78%), and Dali City (19.49%). The annual incidence rate was 4.423/105 in 2014, 3.837/105 in 2015, 3.765/105 in 2016, and 3.442/105 in 2017, and there was no significance among the different years’incidence ( χ² = 4.595, P > 0.05). Conclusion Dali Prefecture is still an endemic area of cysticercosis. Therefore, the monitoring, prevention and control of the disease should be strengthened.