Background: Malignant vasovagal syncope (VVS) is characterized by cardiac arrest lasting more than 3 seconds during a syncope episode or head-up tilt test (HUTT). We aim to conduct a risk assessment for potential malignant VVS before the HUTT by using economic, simple and convenient demographic data, in order to prevent adverse outcomes for pediatric VVS.Purpose: To explore the correlation between demographic factors and pediatric malignant VVS, and verify the value of these factors in early risk assessment for malignant VVS before HUTT, so as to optimize test safety and reduce adverse events. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of the clinical data of 3,734 children who were initially diagnosed with VVS due to unexplained syncope and presyncope. Finally, 122 children who met the diagnostic criteria for malignant VVS were included in the malignant VVS group, and 661 children who did not meet the criteria during the same period were matched as the control group. By analyzing demographic data and other factors, we attempted to clarify the association between these factors and malignant VVS. Results: Linear relationship: age and body mass index (BMI) have independent protective effects on malignant VVS. For every 1-year increase in age and every 1 kg/m2 increase in BMI, the risk of malignant VVS decreases by 12% and 9%, respectively. Nonlinear relationship: When the age is <12.9 years old, for every additional year of age, the risk of malignant VVS decreases by 20%. For ages 12.9 years and above, the efficacy is not significant. There is no significant nonlinear relationship between BMI and malignant VVS. Conclusion Age and BMI are independent protective factors for pediatric malignant VVS. Before the age of 12.9 years, the incidence of malignant VVS gradually decreases with the increase in age, and thereafter there is no significant impact.

ObjectiveThe present study aimed to investigate alterations in white matter microstructure and spontaneous neural activity in male college smokers, and to further explore their associations with nicotine dependence. Given that adolescence and early adulthood represent critical periods for brain maturation, particularly for white matter development, understanding the neural correlates of smoking behavior during this stage is of substantial importance for both neuroscience and public health. MethodsA total of 115 male undergraduate students were initially recruited for this study. After quality control and exclusion procedures, 52 male college smokers and 42 demographically matched healthy non-smokers were included in the final analysis. All participants underwent multimodal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), including diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI). White matter fiber tracts were reconstructed using the automated fiber quantification (AFQ) method, which enables precise identification and quantification of major fiber bundles. Eighteen major white matter tracts were segmented for each participant. Along the core trajectory of each tract, 100 equidistant nodes were sampled. Fractional anisotropy (FA) was calculated at each node to assess white matter microstructural integrity, while amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF) was computed to evaluate spontaneous neural activity within white matter tracts. Between-group differences in FA and ALFF were assessed using two-sample t-tests, with appropriate corrections applied for multiple comparisons. Furthermore, Pearson correlation analyses were conducted to examine the relationships between imaging-derived metrics (FA and ALFF values in regions showing significant group differences) and nicotine dependence severity, as measured by the Fagerström test for nicotine dependence (FTND). ResultsCompared with healthy non-smokers, male college smokers exhibited significantly increased FA values in several white matter tracts, including the left thalamic radiation, right corticospinal tract, forceps major of the corpus callosum, left uncinate fasciculus, and right arcuate fasciculus. These findings suggest altered microstructural organization or increased directional coherence within these pathways. In addition, smokers demonstrated significantly elevated ALFF values in the forceps major, right uncinate fasciculus, and left arcuate fasciculus, indicating enhanced spontaneous neural activity in these white matter regions. Correlation analyses revealed that FA values in the left thalamic radiation and right corticospinal tract were negatively correlated with FTND scores, suggesting that higher levels of nicotine dependence were associated with reduced microstructural integrity or altered fiber organization in these regions. In contrast, ALFF values in the forceps major and right uncinate fasciculus were positively correlated with FTND scores, indicating that greater nicotine dependence was associated with increased spontaneous neural activity in specific white matter pathways. ConclusionThe present study provides evidence that male college smokers exhibit distinct alterations in both white matter microstructure and functional activity. These abnormalities are not uniformly distributed but rather localized to specific fiber tracts implicated in sensorimotor processing, interhemispheric communication, and higher-order cognitive and emotional regulation. Importantly, the observed associations between imaging metrics and nicotine dependence severity suggest that these structural and functional alterations may reflect neurobiological mechanisms underlying addiction. The combination of AFQ-based tract profiling and multimodal MRI offers a sensitive approach for detecting subtle changes along white matter pathways, highlighting its potential utility in identifying neuroimaging biomarkers of nicotine dependence. Overall, these findings indicate that smoking during early adulthood may disrupt ongoing white matter maturation, potentially leading to long-term consequences for brain function. This study provides novel insights into the neural basis of nicotine dependence and underscores the importance of early intervention and prevention strategies targeting young smokers.

ObjectiveMicrotube associated protein-2 （MAP-2）， alpha-tubulin （α-tubulin）， and synaptophysin （SYP） are important proteins in neuronal signal communication. This paper observed the effects of modified Zhigancao Tang on the expression of serum α-Synuclein （α-Syn） and its oligomers， MAP-2， α-tubulin， and SYP of patients with liver and kidney deficiency of Parkinson's disease （PD）， analyzed their correlation， and evaluated the therapeutic effect of modified Zhigancao Tang in patients with liver and kidney deficiency of PD based on α-Syn transmission pathway mediated by neuronal communication in vivo. MethodsA total of 60 patients with PD who met the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into a treatment group （30 cases） and a control group （30 cases）. Both groups were treated on the basis of PD medicine， and the treatment group was treated with modified Zhigancao Tang. Both groups were treated for 12 weeks. The changes in UPDRS score， TCM syndrome score， and expression of serum α-Syn and its oligomers， MAP-2， α-tubulin， and SYP were observed before and after 12 weeks of treatment in each group. The correlation between the above-mentioned serum biological indexes and the levels of serum α-Syn and its oligomers was analyzed. ResultsAfter treatment， the TCM syndrome score， UPDRS score， UPDRS-Ⅱ score， and UPDRS-Ⅲ score of the treatment group were significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The UPDRS score， UPDRS-Ⅱ score， and UPDRS-Ⅲ scores in the treatment group were significantly decreased compared with those in the control group after treatment （P<0.05）. After treatment， the total effective rate of the control group was 63.3% （19/30）， and that of the treatment group was 86.7% （26/30）. The clinical effect of the observation group was better than the control group （Z=-2.03， P<0.05）. The total effective rate of the observation group was better than that of the control group， and the difference was statistically significant （χ²=5.136， P<0.05）. After treatment， the oligomer level of serum α-Syn and MAP-2 level in the treatment group were significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The levels of serum α-Syn and its oligomers， as well as α-tubulin in the treatment group， were significantly decreased compared with those in the control group after treatment （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Serum α-Syn was correlated with serum MAP-2 and α-Syn oligomer in patients with PD （P<0.05， P<0.01） but not correlated with serum SYP . Serum α-Syn oligomers of patients with PD were correlated with serum MAP-2 and α-tubulin （P<0.05， P<0.01） but not correlated with serum SYP level. Serum SYP of patients with PD was correlated with serum MAP-2 （P<0.05）. ConclusionModified Zhigancao Tang has a therapeutic effect on patients with liver and kidney deficiency of PD by inhibiting the production of α-Syn oligomers and intervening α-Syn microtubule transport pathway in vivo.

BACKGROUND:According to existing clinical studies,vertebroplasty treatment with both the external pedicle approach and the pedicle approach can improve the pain and quality of life of patients with spinal compression fractures.Compared with the pedicle approach,the external pedicle approach has a freer puncture angle,and good bone cement dispersion effect can be obtained by adjusting the puncture angle. OBJECTIVE:To compare the impact of vertebroplasty through individualized unilateral external pedicle approach and bilateral pedicle approach on the treatment of spinal compression fractures by quantifying the dispersion effect of bone cement. METHODS:A total of 80 patients with thoracolumbar compression fracture were divided into two groups by random number table method.The bilateral pedicle group(n=40)underwent vertebroplasty through a bilateral pedicle approach,while the unilateral external pedicle group(n=40)underwent individualized vertebroplasty through a unilateral external pedicle approach.Anteroposterior and lateral X-rays of the affected vertebrae from two groups of patients were photographed to assess effect and type of bone cement dispersion within 3 days after surgery.Visual analog scale score,tenderness threshold around fracture,and Oswestry dysfunction index were assessed before,1,7 days,and 1 month after surgery. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Dispersion effect of bone cement in unilateral external pedicle group was better than that in bilateral pedicle group(P<0.001),and the amount of bone cement perfusion was higher than that in bilateral pedicle group(P<0.001).In the bilateral pedicle group,the bone cement dispersion types were mainly concentrated in type Ⅰ and type Ⅲ,while in the unilateral external pedicle group,the bone cement dispersion types were mainly concentrated in type I and type Ⅱ,and there was a significant difference in bone cement dispersion types between the two groups(P<0.001).(2)Postoperative visual analog scale scores and Oswestry disability index of both groups were lower than those before surgery(P<0.001),and postoperative tenderness threshold around fracture showed a trend of decreasing first and then increasing.At the same time point after treatment,there were no significant differences in visual analog scale score,Oswestry disability index,and tenderness threshold around fracture between the two groups(P>0.05).(3)The results indicate that individualized vertebroplasty via unilateral external pedicle approach can achieve better bone cement dispersion,and the treatment effect is consistent with the vertebroplasty via classical bilateral pedicle approach.

Objective To investigate the mechanism by which Senegenin(SEN)alleviates microglial inflammatory response through the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2)/NOD-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3)pathway.Methods BV2 mouse microglia cells were randomly divided into control group,model group,SEN group and MCC950 group.Cells in control group were not treated,and cells in model group were added with 1 μg/ml lipopolysaccharide(LPS);Cells in SEN group were added with 1 μg/ml LPS+4 μmol/L SEN,and cells in MCC950 group were added with 1 μg/ml LPS+10 μmol/L MCC950 for 24 hours.CCK-8 method was used to detect the effect of different concentrations of SEN on the viability of BV2 cells.Griess method was used to determine the release amount of nitric oxide(NO)in the supernatant.Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR was used to determine the mRNA expression levels of NLRP3,lymphocyte apoptosis-associated spect-like protein containing a CARD(ASC),caspase-1,interleukin(IL)-1β and IL-18 mRNA.Immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the expression levels of ASC,IL-1β,Nrf2 and heme oxygenase-1(HO-1).Western blotting was used to detect the expression levels of NLRP3,caspase-1,ASC,IL-1β,IL-18,Nrf2,HO-1,nuclear factor kappa B(NF-κB)and inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS).Results The results of CCK-8 method showed that there was no significant difference in the viability of BV2 cells treated with 2～20 μmol/L SEN compared with control group(P>0.05).Compared with control group,the viability of BV2 cells in model group decreased significantly(P<0.05).Compared with model group,the viability of BV2 cells in 4 μmol/L SEN group was significantly restored(P<0.05).Compared with control group,the results of Griess method showed that the release amount of NO in cells of model group increased significantly(P<0.05);the results of real-time PCR showed that the expression levels of NLRP3,ASC,caspase-1,IL-1β and IL-18 mRNA in cells of model group increased significantly(P<0.05);the results of Western blotting showed that the protein expression levels of NLRP3,ASC,caspase-1,IL-1β and IL-18 proteins in cells of model group increased significantly(P<0.05),and the immunofluorescence staining results showed that the expression levels of iNOS and NF-κB protein in cells of model group increased,and the expression levels of Nrf2 and HO-1 decreased,with statistically significant differences(P<0.05).Compared with model group,the release amount of NO in cells of SEN group and MCC950 group decreased,and the expression levels of NLRP3,ASC,caspase-1,IL-1β and IL-18 mRNA and proteins decreased,with statistically significant differences(P<0.05);in the SEN group,the expression levels of iNOS and NF-κB decreased,and immunofluorescence staining showed that Nrf2 was translocated into the nucleus,and the expression levels of Nrf2 and HO-1 proteins increased significantly,with statistically significant differences(P<0.05).Conclusions SEN could alleviate the inflammatory response of mouse microglia cells induced by LPS and inhibit the activation and expression of NLRP3 inflammasome,with an effect comparable to that of the inflammasome inhibitor MCC950.The mechanism may be related to the regulation of the expression of upstream factors Nrf2 and HO-1.

Objective To understand the current situation of healthcare-associated infection(HAI)in China,pro-vide data support and decision-making basis for formulating scientific and effective strategies for HAI prevention and control.Methods A nationwide cross-sectional survey on HAI was conducted among various types and levels of medical institutions in China according to a unified protocol of bedside surveys and case investigations.Results In 2024,a total of 5 736 medical institutions and 2 751 765 patients were surveyed.Among them,34 889 HAI cases were identified,with a prevalence rate of 1.27％.The number of HAI episodes was 38 032,and case prevalence rate was 1.38％.The prevalence rate of HAI in medical institutions in different regions of China ranged from 0.66％to 2.35％.Among medical institutions of different scales,those with a bed capacity of ≥900 had the high-est incidence of HAI,reaching 1.65％.The most common infection site was the lower respiratory tract(44.66％),followed by the urinary tract(12.94％),surgical site(9.32％),upper respiratory tract(7.02％),and bloodstream infection(5.78％).The top 3 departments with the highest HAI rates were the general intensive care unit(10.02％),department of neurosurgery(5.51％),and department(group)of hematology(5.34％).A total of 23 238 strains of HAI pathogens were detected,with 10 714 strains(46.10％)from lower respiratory tract speci-mens.The top 5 detected strains were Klebsiella pneumoniae(14.76％),Pseudomonas aeruginosa(13.33％),Escherichia coli(12.79％),Acinetobacter baumannii(9.23％),and Staphylococcus aureus(7.88％).231 944 pa-tients underwent class Ⅰ incision surgery were monitored,with 1 647 cases experienced surgical site infection,and the prevalence rate of surgical site infection was 0.71％.The number of patients who should undergo pathogen de-tection(patients receiving therapeutic and therapeutic combined prophylactic antimicrobial agents)was 715 179,while the actual number was 480 492,with a pathogen detection rate of 67.18％.425 225 patients received patho-genic detection before treatment,with a detection rate of 59.46％.Conclusion The overall HAI prevalence in Chi-na is lower,showing disparities among medical institutions of different regions and scales.Therefore,precise imple-mentation of measures is necessary for HAI prevention and control,with a focus on high-risk institutions and high-risk departments,key areas,and critical procedures.All levels of medical institutions should continuously reduce the incidence of HAI by strengthening monitoring,standardizing the use of antimicrobial agents,and reinforcing basic HAI prevention and control measures.

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics of patients with multiple myeloma(MM)complicated by bone lesions and the risk factors associated with bone lesions.Methods:The clinical data of 294 newly diagnosed MM patients in Gansu Provincial Hospital from January 2017 to June 2021 were retrospectively analyzed.The patients were divided into the bone lesion group(154 cases)and the non-bone lesions group(140 cases)based on the presence of absence of bone lesions at diagnosis.The general data and laboratory parameters were compared between the two groups.The risk factors for bone lesions in MM patients were analyzed by logistic regression analysis,and the characteristic(ROC)curves were plotted to assess the predictive value of each risk factor for the occurrence of bone lesions in MM patients.Results:Compared to the non-bone lesion group,the bone lesion group had significantly higher serum calcium levels and significantly greater proportions of patients with Durie-Salmon(DS)stage Ⅲ,and bone pain(all P＜0.05).Logistic regression analysis showed that elevated serum calcium(OR=5.135,95％CI:1.931-13.653,P=0.001),DS stage Ⅲ(OR=1.841,95％CI:1.019-3.328,P=0.043),and bone pain(OR=8.208,95％CI:4.761-14.151,P＜0.001)were independent risk factors for bone lesions in MM patients.ROC curve analysis showed that serum calcium(AUC=0.619,95％CI:0.555-0.683,P＜0.001)and bone pain(AUC=0.743,95％CI:0.692-0.793,P＜0.001)had predictive value for bone lesions in MM patients.Conclusion:MM patients have a high incidence of bone lesions,and active monitoring and management of risk factors may improve treatment outcomes and prognosis.

AIM:This study aims to investigate the potential mechanism of cell division cycle protein 42(Cdc42)in acute lung injury(ALI).METHODS:(1)The levels of Cdc42 and IQ motif-containing GTPase-activating protein 1(IQGAP1)in ALI were analyzed using the Gene Expression Omnibus(GEO)database.(2)The plasma samples were collected from 30 patients diagnosed with ALI and 30 healthy controls between January 2022 and December 2023.The bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF)from ALI patients was also collected.Eighteen male C57BL/6 mice were ran-domly divided into control(CON)group,lipopolysaccharide(LPS)group,and LPS+ML141(Cdc42 inhibitor)group,with 6 mice in each group.After 72 h,the mice were euthanized,and the BALF was collected for analysis,including cell enumeration and protein concentration determination using the bicinchoninic acid method.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure the levels of Cdc42 and inflammatory cytokines[interleukin-6(IL-6),IL-1β and tumor necro-sis factor α(TNF-α)]in human plasma and mouse BALF.Lung damage in mouse tissue sections was evaluated by HE staining.(3)Mouse pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells(PMVECs)were isolated by magnetic bead-based cell sorting and were divided into CON,LPS and LPS+ML141 groups.Vascular ring formation assay was conducted to assess the an-giogenic potential of PMVECs,and calcium ion imaging technology was employed to measure calcium ion concentrations in PMVECs.The levels of reactive oxygen species(ROS)were assessed using a ROS detection kit.Western blot was uti-lized to analyze the protein levels of Cdc42,VE-cadherin,intercellular adhesion molecule-1(ICAM-1),myosin light chain(MLC),phosphorylated MLC(p-MLC)and IQGAP1 in PMVECs.RESULTS:(1)The GEO database analysis re-vealed significant up-regulation of Cdc42 expression in ALI model(P<0.01).(2)Clinical assessments showed markedly elevated plasma levels of Cdc42 and pro-inflammatory cytokines(IL-6,IL-1β and TNF-α)in ALI patients(P<0.01),with subsequent reductions after treatment(P<0.05).Neutrophil counts in the BALF of ALI patients were significantly in-creased.In ALI animal models,cell count,protein concentration and inflammatory mediator levels in BALF,and lung tis-sue damage scores were significantly elevated(P<0.01),all of which were notably reduced after treatment with Cdc42 in-hibitor ML141(P<0.05).(3)The PMVECs in LPS group exhibited significant increases in Cdc42,ICAM-1,p-MLC,IQGAP1,ROS,and calcium ion concentrations(P<0.01),alongside significant decreases in VE-cadherin expression and angiogenic capacity(P<0.01).All parameters were significantly improved after ML141 treatment(P<0.05).CON-CLUSION:The Cdc42 may influence IQGAP1 by modulating calcium levels in PMVECs,playing a critical role in pulmo-nary vascular barrier injury during ALI.

Objective To explore the association between mid-upper arm circumference(MUAC)and sarcopenia in middle-aged and elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).Methods A total of 402 middle-aged and elderly patients with T2DM admitted to Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Group Suqian Hospital from March 2022 to October 2024 were selected.Among them,308 patients with simple diabetes mellitus were included in non-sarcopenia group,and 94 patients with combined sarcopenia were included in sarcopenia group.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the association between MU AC and sarcopenia in middle-aged and elderly patients with T2DM.The predictive ability of MUAC for sarcopenia in middle-aged and elderly patients with T2DM was evaluated by using the receiver operating characteristic curve.Results There were statistically significant differences in age,body mass index,MUAC,triglycerides,direct bilirubin,alanine aminotransferase,aspartate aminotransferase,appendicular skeletal muscle mass,appendicular skeletal muscle mass index,grip strength and 6-meter walking speed between two groups of patients(P＜0.05).The results of multivariate Logistic regression showed that a smaller MUAC and increased age were both risk factors for sarcopenia in middle-aged and elderly patients with T2DM(P＜0.05).The optimal cutoff value of MUAC for diagnosing sarcopenia in middle-aged and elderly patients with T2DM:27.90cm for males and 26.95cm for females.Conclusion MUAC is associated with sarcopenia in middle-aged and elderly patients with T2DM and can be used for the early identification and diagnosis of middle-aged and elderly T2DM patients with sarcopenia.

Objective:To investigate the diagnostic efficacy of artificial intelligence(AI)software combined with contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS)on portal hypertension of cirrhosis.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 106 patients with cirrhosis who admitted to Handan Communicable Disease Hospital from January 2024 to June 2024 and were confirmed by surgical pathology.In them,60 cases with positive portal hypertension were included in positive group,and 46 cases with negative portal hypertension were included in negative group.The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to analyze the diagnostic values of ultrasound characteristics via preoperative AI quantization,enhanced ultrasound mode and the combination of them for portal hypertension of cirrhosis.Results:The mean peak intensity,mean vessel density and branching morphology index of AI software were respectively 201.23±10.18,0.62±0.11 and 1.23±0.24 in diagnosing portal hypertension of positive group,all of which were significantly higher than those of negative group(t=8.551,3.707,2.054,P<0.05).However,the mean peak reaching time,uniformity of flow perfusion,mean flow velocity and uniformity of microcirculation perfusion of the positive group were respectively(18.22±2.18)seconds,(75.22±5.46)%,(10.09±2.22)cm/s,(80.78±5.11)%,all of which were significantly lower than those in the negative group(t=3.729,5.237,4.969,4.491,P<0.05).The enhancement speed and degree of liver parenchyma,the enhancement speed of portal vein,and the enhancement speed and degree of spleen in CEUS of positive group were significantly higher than those of negative group,and the differences were significant(t=4.770,12.781,7.313,5.501,4.645,7.513,P<0.05).ROC curve analysis showed that the area under curve(AUC)value of CEUS combined with AI algorithm was 0.926 in diagnosis,which was significantly better than single CEUS and single AI analysis(0.853,0.925).Conclusion:CEUS technique combines with AI software can show higher diagnostic efficacy in the diagnosis for portal hypertension of cirrhosis,which diagnostic effect was better than single either of two methods.