Objective To analyze the influencing factors of death in the elderly with coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19).Methods The case data of death caused by COVID-19 in West China Fourth Hospital from January 1 to July 8,2023 were collected,and surviving cases from the West China Elderly Health Cohort infected with COVID-19 during the same period were selected as the control.LASSO-Logistic regression was adopted to analyze the data after propensity score matching and the validity of the model was verified by drawing the receiver operating characteristic curve.Results A total of 3 239 COVID-19 survivors and 142 deaths with COVID-19 were included.The results of LASSO-Logistic regression showed that smoking(OR=3.33,95%CI=1.46-7.59,P=0.004),stroke(OR=3.55,95%CI=1.15-10.30,P=0.022),malignant tumors(OR=19.93, 95%CI=8.52-49.23, P<0.001),coronary heart disease(OR=7.68, 95%CI=3.52-17.07, P<0.001),fever(OR=0.51, 95%CI=0.26-0.96, P=0.042),difficulty breathing or asthma symptoms(OR=21.48, 95%CI=9.44-51.95, P<0.001),and vomiting(OR=8.19,95%CI=2.87-23.58, P<0.001)increased the risk of death with COVID-19.The prediction model constructed based on the influencing factors achieved an area under the curve of 0.889 in the test set.Conclusions Smoking,stroke,malignant tumors,coronary heart disease,fever,breathing difficulty or asthma symptoms,and vomiting were identified as key factors influencing the death risk in COVID-19.
Humans ; COVID-19/mortality* ; Aged ; Propensity Score ; China/epidemiology* ; Risk Factors ; Logistic Models ; Smoking ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Male ; Female ; Stroke ; Neoplasms

This article reviews the progress of clinical research on abnormal sounds after ceramic-on-ceramic total hip arthroplasty, with a focus on analyzing the differences between the third-generation and fourth-generation ceramic prostheses. Abnormal sounds generally refer to high-pitched audible sounds (such as creaking, clicking, etc.) during hip joint movement after surgery, which are considered possible precursors to prosthesis fragmentation (for example, patients with abnormal sounds have more ceramic particles in the joint fluid, and some are accompanied by prosthesis fragmentation). The fundamental frequency of abnormal sounds in the third-generation ceramic prostheses ranges from 400 to 7 500 Hz (approximately 1 500 Hz in males and 2 500 Hz in females), while the acoustic characteristics of the fourth-generation ones remain unclear. The reported occurrence time of abnormal sounds varies significantly among different studies, with an average of 6.4 to 40 months after surgery. This variation may be influenced by patient characteristics, surgical technique, and prosthesis type. Abnormal sounds are considered a possible early indicator of prosthesis fragmentation; for instance, higher concentrations of ceramic particles have been detected in the synovial fluid of affected patients, and some cases have been accompanied by prosthesis fracture. The incidence of abnormal sounds with the fourth-generation prostheses ranges from 3.8% to 46.6% (with a follow-up period exceeding 10 years), while the third-generation shows rates of 0% to 19.7% with no difference between the two generations. Although the fourth-generation prostheses are superior to the third-generation in material toughness (flexural strength>1 380 MPa) and hardness, they still fail to solve the problem of abnormal sounds, and the incidence may increase with the extension of the follow-up time (for example, in some studies, the incidence at 10-year follow-up is higher than that at 5-year follow-up). Abnormal sounds are mostly associated with movements such as extreme flexion (e.g., squatting) and walking. Different sound properties (such as friction sound) correspond to specific inducing movements and locations, among which friction sound requires vigilance against the risk of prosthesis fragmentation. The risk factors include patient-related factors (height, weight, activity level, etc.), surgical factors (prosthesis position angle), and prosthesis-related factors (design, diameter, neck length, etc.). Proposed mechanisms include abnormal edge loading, stripe wear, femoral neck impingement, wear particle generation, and prosthesis mismatch. Adverse outcomes include decreased patient satisfaction with life, revision surgery (with an incidence of 0.2% to 4.65%), and prosthesis fragmentation. Currently, there are still controversies in research. Future studies need to focus on special patient groups, surgical techniques (such as robot-assisted surgery), and the optimization of prosthesis materials and designs (such as gradient structures and surface coatings) to reduce the incidence of abnormal sounds.

BACKGROUND:Osteonecrosis is an orthopedic disease that severely limits joint function,with complex pathogenesis involving multiple risk factors.Cathepsins,as a class of enzymes that play a key role in bone metabolism,are closely related to the proliferation,differentiation of bone cells,and remodeling of the bone matrix.However,previous studies have mostly focused on descriptive analyses,lacking direct evidence of causal relationships.OBJECTIVE:To clarify the potential causal relationship between cathepsins and osteonecrosis and to explore their possible mechanisms by analyzing large-scale sample data from the FinnGen database.METHODS:We obtained osteonecrosis-related data from the FinnGen database,including R9(a total of 359 399 samples:1 385 cases and 358 014 controls)and R10 versions(a total of 392 580 samples:1 543 cases and 391 037 controls).Single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with nine cathepsins(cathepsin B,E,F,G,H,O,S,L2,and Z)were acquired from a previous study(3 301 individuals).Univariate Mendelian randomization,reverse univariate Mendelian randomization,and multivariate Mendelian randomization analyses were conducted using the inverse variance weighted method,MR-Egger method,weighted median method,simple mode method,and weighted mode method.Initially,Mendelian randomization analysis was performed using osteonecrosis data from R9.Additionally,sensitivity analyses were conducted using Cochran's Q test,MR-Egger intercept,MR-PRESSO global test,and leave-one-out analysis to check for horizontal pleiotropy and heterogeneity.Subsequently,a validation analysis study was carried out on the R10 dataset,and a meta-analysis was conducted to combine the two datasets to explore the joint effect.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Univariate Mendelian randomization analysis results showed that higher levels of cathepsin B were significantly associated with a reduced risk of osteonecrosis(inverse variance weighted:odds ratio(OR)=0.865,95％confidence interval(CI):0.762-0.982,P=0.025),and no reverse causal relationship was found between the nine cathepsins and osteonecrosis(P＞0.05).These associations were validated by meta-analysis.Multivariate analysis,using the nine cathepsins as covariates,revealed a reverse causal relationship between the levels of cathepsin Band the risk of osteonecrosis(inverse variance weighted:OR=0.8710,95％CI:0.761-0.997,P=0.045),consistent with the results before adjustment.Sensitivity analyses based on heterogeneity and horizontal pleiotropy suggested that the results were relatively robust.This study suggests that there is a causal relationship between high levels of cathepsin B and the reduced risk of osteonecrosis,and it may serve as a biomarker for osteonecrosis,providing new directions and insights for the diagnosis and treatment of osteonecrosis.Although this study is based on data analysis of European populations,these findings have important implications for Chinese biomedical research,especially in understanding disease mechanisms,developing biomarkers,and formulating treatment strategies.They also encourage similar studies conducted on Chinese populations to explore the impact of racial and genetic background differences on the occurrence of osteonecrosis.

This article reviews the progress of clinical research on abnormal sounds after ceramic-on-ceramic total hip arthroplasty, with a focus on analyzing the differences between the third-generation and fourth-generation ceramic prostheses. Abnormal sounds generally refer to high-pitched audible sounds (such as creaking, clicking, etc.) during hip joint movement after surgery, which are considered possible precursors to prosthesis fragmentation (for example, patients with abnormal sounds have more ceramic particles in the joint fluid, and some are accompanied by prosthesis fragmentation). The fundamental frequency of abnormal sounds in the third-generation ceramic prostheses ranges from 400 to 7 500 Hz (approximately 1 500 Hz in males and 2 500 Hz in females), while the acoustic characteristics of the fourth-generation ones remain unclear. The reported occurrence time of abnormal sounds varies significantly among different studies, with an average of 6.4 to 40 months after surgery. This variation may be influenced by patient characteristics, surgical technique, and prosthesis type. Abnormal sounds are considered a possible early indicator of prosthesis fragmentation; for instance, higher concentrations of ceramic particles have been detected in the synovial fluid of affected patients, and some cases have been accompanied by prosthesis fracture. The incidence of abnormal sounds with the fourth-generation prostheses ranges from 3.8% to 46.6% (with a follow-up period exceeding 10 years), while the third-generation shows rates of 0% to 19.7% with no difference between the two generations. Although the fourth-generation prostheses are superior to the third-generation in material toughness (flexural strength>1 380 MPa) and hardness, they still fail to solve the problem of abnormal sounds, and the incidence may increase with the extension of the follow-up time (for example, in some studies, the incidence at 10-year follow-up is higher than that at 5-year follow-up). Abnormal sounds are mostly associated with movements such as extreme flexion (e.g., squatting) and walking. Different sound properties (such as friction sound) correspond to specific inducing movements and locations, among which friction sound requires vigilance against the risk of prosthesis fragmentation. The risk factors include patient-related factors (height, weight, activity level, etc.), surgical factors (prosthesis position angle), and prosthesis-related factors (design, diameter, neck length, etc.). Proposed mechanisms include abnormal edge loading, stripe wear, femoral neck impingement, wear particle generation, and prosthesis mismatch. Adverse outcomes include decreased patient satisfaction with life, revision surgery (with an incidence of 0.2% to 4.65%), and prosthesis fragmentation. Currently, there are still controversies in research. Future studies need to focus on special patient groups, surgical techniques (such as robot-assisted surgery), and the optimization of prosthesis materials and designs (such as gradient structures and surface coatings) to reduce the incidence of abnormal sounds.

BACKGROUND:Previous studies by the research group have shown that core proteoglycan in Cornus Cervi Col la can enter the bone,promote the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells,and has a good repair effect on steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the therapeutic effect and potential mechanism of Cornus Cervi Colla on steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head in rats by fecal non-targeted fecal metabolomics.METHODS:Thirty SD rats were randomly divided into three groups using a random number table method:the control group(n=10)was injected with normal saline into the right gluteal muscle(injected on the first 3 days of each week for 3 consecutive weeks),and was given pure water gavage(once a day for 6 consecutive weeks).The model group(n=10)was injected with methylprednisolone sodium succinate into the right gluteal muscle(injected on the first 3 days of each week for 3 consecutive weeks)to establish a steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head model,and was given pure water gavage(once a day for 6 consecutive weeks).The Cornus Cervi Co I la group(n=10)was also established with a steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head model,and was given Cornus Cervi Col la gavage(once a day for 6 consecutive weeks).After gavage,cecal feces and femoral heads were collected for fecal metabolomics analysis and bone tissue Micro-CT and hematoxylin-eosin staining,respectively.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Metabolomics analysis results showed that there were 233 differential metabolites between the Cornus Cervi Col la and model groups,with 65 significantly differing and clearly annotated metabolites.Lipid and amino acid metabolites were significantly increased,with bile acids,sulfated steroids,ephedrine,hypoxanthine,betaine,L-carnitine,B-mouse bile acid,cytidine,4-pyridoxic acid,taurine,N-acetyl-d-glucosamine,and butyric acid being the most impacted(variable weight value VIP＞5).The metabolic pathways of taurine and hypotaurine were crucial in the metabolic regulatory network(pathway impact=0.428 57).(2)Micro-CT scanning results of bone tissue showed that the femoral heads of rats in the model group and the Cornus Cervi Col la group had different degrees of damage;the femoral head contour was irregular;the trabeculae in the subchondral bone of the femoral head were missing and disordered,and some cystic structures were visible.Compared with the model group,the degree of trabecular damage in the rats of the Cornus Cervi Colla group was milder.Hematoxylin-eosin staining results showed that the trabeculae in the subchondral bone of the femoral heads of rats in the model group and the Cornus Cervi Colla group were sparse or interrupted,and the empty bone lacuna rate and adipocyte invasion were increased.Compared with the model group,the empty bone lacuna rate and adipocyte invasion in the subchondral bone of the femoral heads of rats in the Cornus Cervi Colla group were reduced.(3)These results conclude that Cornus Cervi Colla potentially mitigates steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head through the metabolic processes involving taurine and associated pathways.

BACKGROUND:Previous studies by the research group have shown that core proteoglycan in Cornus Cervi Col la can enter the bone,promote the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells,and has a good repair effect on steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the therapeutic effect and potential mechanism of Cornus Cervi Colla on steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head in rats by fecal non-targeted fecal metabolomics.METHODS:Thirty SD rats were randomly divided into three groups using a random number table method:the control group(n=10)was injected with normal saline into the right gluteal muscle(injected on the first 3 days of each week for 3 consecutive weeks),and was given pure water gavage(once a day for 6 consecutive weeks).The model group(n=10)was injected with methylprednisolone sodium succinate into the right gluteal muscle(injected on the first 3 days of each week for 3 consecutive weeks)to establish a steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head model,and was given pure water gavage(once a day for 6 consecutive weeks).The Cornus Cervi Co I la group(n=10)was also established with a steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head model,and was given Cornus Cervi Col la gavage(once a day for 6 consecutive weeks).After gavage,cecal feces and femoral heads were collected for fecal metabolomics analysis and bone tissue Micro-CT and hematoxylin-eosin staining,respectively.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Metabolomics analysis results showed that there were 233 differential metabolites between the Cornus Cervi Col la and model groups,with 65 significantly differing and clearly annotated metabolites.Lipid and amino acid metabolites were significantly increased,with bile acids,sulfated steroids,ephedrine,hypoxanthine,betaine,L-carnitine,B-mouse bile acid,cytidine,4-pyridoxic acid,taurine,N-acetyl-d-glucosamine,and butyric acid being the most impacted(variable weight value VIP＞5).The metabolic pathways of taurine and hypotaurine were crucial in the metabolic regulatory network(pathway impact=0.428 57).(2)Micro-CT scanning results of bone tissue showed that the femoral heads of rats in the model group and the Cornus Cervi Col la group had different degrees of damage;the femoral head contour was irregular;the trabeculae in the subchondral bone of the femoral head were missing and disordered,and some cystic structures were visible.Compared with the model group,the degree of trabecular damage in the rats of the Cornus Cervi Colla group was milder.Hematoxylin-eosin staining results showed that the trabeculae in the subchondral bone of the femoral heads of rats in the model group and the Cornus Cervi Colla group were sparse or interrupted,and the empty bone lacuna rate and adipocyte invasion were increased.Compared with the model group,the empty bone lacuna rate and adipocyte invasion in the subchondral bone of the femoral heads of rats in the Cornus Cervi Colla group were reduced.(3)These results conclude that Cornus Cervi Colla potentially mitigates steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head through the metabolic processes involving taurine and associated pathways.

BACKGROUND:Osteonecrosis is an orthopedic disease that severely limits joint function,with complex pathogenesis involving multiple risk factors.Cathepsins,as a class of enzymes that play a key role in bone metabolism,are closely related to the proliferation,differentiation of bone cells,and remodeling of the bone matrix.However,previous studies have mostly focused on descriptive analyses,lacking direct evidence of causal relationships.OBJECTIVE:To clarify the potential causal relationship between cathepsins and osteonecrosis and to explore their possible mechanisms by analyzing large-scale sample data from the FinnGen database.METHODS:We obtained osteonecrosis-related data from the FinnGen database,including R9(a total of 359 399 samples:1 385 cases and 358 014 controls)and R10 versions(a total of 392 580 samples:1 543 cases and 391 037 controls).Single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with nine cathepsins(cathepsin B,E,F,G,H,O,S,L2,and Z)were acquired from a previous study(3 301 individuals).Univariate Mendelian randomization,reverse univariate Mendelian randomization,and multivariate Mendelian randomization analyses were conducted using the inverse variance weighted method,MR-Egger method,weighted median method,simple mode method,and weighted mode method.Initially,Mendelian randomization analysis was performed using osteonecrosis data from R9.Additionally,sensitivity analyses were conducted using Cochran's Q test,MR-Egger intercept,MR-PRESSO global test,and leave-one-out analysis to check for horizontal pleiotropy and heterogeneity.Subsequently,a validation analysis study was carried out on the R10 dataset,and a meta-analysis was conducted to combine the two datasets to explore the joint effect.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Univariate Mendelian randomization analysis results showed that higher levels of cathepsin B were significantly associated with a reduced risk of osteonecrosis(inverse variance weighted:odds ratio(OR)=0.865,95％confidence interval(CI):0.762-0.982,P=0.025),and no reverse causal relationship was found between the nine cathepsins and osteonecrosis(P＞0.05).These associations were validated by meta-analysis.Multivariate analysis,using the nine cathepsins as covariates,revealed a reverse causal relationship between the levels of cathepsin Band the risk of osteonecrosis(inverse variance weighted:OR=0.8710,95％CI:0.761-0.997,P=0.045),consistent with the results before adjustment.Sensitivity analyses based on heterogeneity and horizontal pleiotropy suggested that the results were relatively robust.This study suggests that there is a causal relationship between high levels of cathepsin B and the reduced risk of osteonecrosis,and it may serve as a biomarker for osteonecrosis,providing new directions and insights for the diagnosis and treatment of osteonecrosis.Although this study is based on data analysis of European populations,these findings have important implications for Chinese biomedical research,especially in understanding disease mechanisms,developing biomarkers,and formulating treatment strategies.They also encourage similar studies conducted on Chinese populations to explore the impact of racial and genetic background differences on the occurrence of osteonecrosis.

OBJECTIVE To compare the clinical effects of different doses of meropenem in the treatment of septic shock. METHODS One hundred and six patients with septic shock were randomly divided into standard-dose group and high-dose group， with 53 cases in each group. Patients in the standard-dose group were given standard dose of meropenem （initial intravenous injection of 1 g meropenem more than 30 minutes， followed by 1 g meropenem intravenously every 8 hours， each time for more than 3 hours）； patients in the high-dose group were given high dose of meropenem （initial intravenous injection of 2 g meropenem more than 30 minutes， followed by 2 g meropenem intravenously every 8 hours， each time for more than 3 hours）； other treatment measures were determined based on the specific conditions of the patients. The main observation indicators were the increments of sequential organ failure assessment （SOFA） scores and simplified acute physiology score Ⅱ （SAPS Ⅱ） after 3， 5 and 7 days of treatment in both groups. Secondary observation indicators included in-hospital mortality， 90-day all-cause mortality， 7-day microbial cure rate， 7-day clinical cure rate， serum procalcitonin （PCT） and C-reactive protein （CRP） levels after 3， 5 and 7 days of treatment， hospitalization days in the intensive care unit， ventilator treatment days， the highest dose of norepinephrine. The occurrence of adverse drug reaction in the two groups was observed. RESULTS The increments of SOFA scores and SAPS Ⅱ after 7 days of treatment， the levels of PCT and CRP after 5 and 7 days of treatment as well as the 90-day all-cause mortality in the high- dose group were significantly lower than the standard-dose group （P＜0.05）. There were no statistically significant differences in other indicators between the two groups （P＞0.05）. CONCLUSIONS High-dose meropenem treatment for septic shock has better clinical effects and is safer than standard-dose meropenem.

AIM To explore the effects of Rosa roxburghii Radix on ulcerative colitis(UC)in rats based on pyroptosis and neutrophil extracellular traps(NETs).METHODS Rats were randomly divided into the normal group and the model group.The successfully established UC rat models by trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid(TNBS)/ethanol enema were then randomly divided into the model group,the sulfasalazine group(0.3 g/kg)and the low,medium and high dose R.roxburghii Radix groups(2,4,8 g/kg),followed by dosing of corresponding drugs by gavage.21 days later,the rats had their disease activity index(DAI)score calculated;their pathological changes of colon tissue observed by HE staining;their levels of serum interleukin(IL)-18,IL-1β and myeloperoxidase(MPO)detected by ELISA;and their protein expressions of NE,MPO,NLRP3,caspase-1 and GSDMD in colon tissue detected by Western blot and immunohistochemistry.RESULTS Compared with the normal group,the model group displayed increased DAI score(P＜0.01),increased serum levels of IL-1β,IL-18 and MPO(P＜0.01),and increased protein expressions of NE,MPO,caspase-1,NLRP3 and GSDMD in colon tissue(P＜0.01).Compared with the model group,the groups intervened with sulfasalazine,or medium,or high dose R.roxburghii Radix demonstrated with decreased DAI scores(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),decreased serum levels of IL-1β,IL-18 and MPO(P＜0.01),and decreased protein expressions of NE,MPO,caspase-1,NLRP3 and GSDMD in colon tissue(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).CONCLUSION R.roxburghii Radix may alleviate the inflammatory reaction in a rat model of UC and improve its pathological injury of colon via regulating pyroptosis and NETs.

A 28-year-old woman presented with a 4-year history of fatigue and sleepiness and was found to have central hypothyroidism and mood disorder. The patient had normal thyroid volume and did not show any other pituitary axis involvement. Over the course of the disease, her symptom improvement matched with the free thyroxine (FT 4) rebound and the adjustment of antipsychotic medication. The patient′s grandmother had central hypothyroidism, and her mother and uncle had lowered or inappropriately normal thyroid stimulating hormone. Hence, genetic involvement was highly suspected, but whole exon sequencing did not reveal a pathogenic variant. Levothyroxine tablets were prescribed to maintain a normal median level of FT 4, and mood disorder medications were adjusted by specialists. Isolated central hypothyroidism is extremely rare, and we report this case aiming to raise awareness of this condition.