Objective To quantitatively measure the density of hydroxyapatite(HAP)(water)within lumbar vertebral bodies using the gemstone spectral imaging(GSI)material decomposition technique and to compare and analyze the clinical significance of density variations of HAP(water)in different regions of L1-L3 vertebral bodies.Methods A total of 242 patients who underwent lumbar quantitative computed tomography(QCT)scans via utilizing the GSI technique were selected.Following the scans,the HAP(water)density values in four regions(anterosuperior,posterosuperior,anteroinferior,and posteroinferior)of each L1-L3 vertebral bodies were quantitatively measured using the material decomposition technique.Based on the QCT results,all cases were divided into three groups of normal bone mineral density,osteopenia,and osteoporosis.The distributions of HAP(water)density values in the four regions within each vertebral body were compared and analyzed among the groups.Results In all three groups of patients,the highest HAP(water)density values in the L1-L3 vertebral bodies were all located in the posteroinferior region,followed by the posterosuperior region.In the normal bone mineral density group,the lowest HAP(water)density values was found in the anterosuperior region of the L1 vertebral body.In the osteopenia and osteoporosis groups,the lowest HAP(water)density values was found in the anteroinferior region of the L1-L3 vertebral bodies.Conclusion Significant differences in HAP(water)density are present across different regions within lumbar vertebral bodies,which may be related to the development of vertebral osteoporosis and the location of fractures.

Debates persist regarding the efficacy and safety of azvudine, particularly its real-world outcomes. This study involved patients aged ≥60 years who were admitted to 25 hospitals in mainland China with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection between December 1, 2022, and February 28, 2023. Efficacy outcomes were all-cause mortality during hospitalization, the proportion of patients discharged with recovery, time to nucleic acid-negative conversion (T _NANC), time to symptom improvement (T _SI), and time of hospital stay (T _HS). Safety was also assessed. Among the 5884 participants identified, 1999 received azvudine, and 1999 matched controls were included after exclusion and propensity score matching. Azvudine recipients exhibited lower all-cause mortality compared with controls in the overall population (13.3% vs. 17.1%, RR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.67-0.90; P = 0.001) and in the severe subgroup (25.7% vs. 33.7%; RR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.66-0.88; P < 0.001). A higher proportion of patients discharged with recovery, and a shorter T _NANC were associated with azvudine recipients, especially in the severe subgroup. The incidence of adverse events in azvudine recipients was comparable to that in the control group (2.3% vs. 1.7%, P = 0.170). In conclusion, azvudine showed efficacy and safety in older patients hospitalized with COVID-19 during the SARS-CoV-2 omicron wave in China.

Gene therapy, harnessing the power of CRISPR-Cas9 and/or DNAzyme systems, stands as a pivotal approach in cancer therapy, enabling the meticulous manipulation of genes pivotal to tumorigenesis and immunity. However, the pursuit of precise gene therapy encounters formidable hurdles. Herein, a near-infrared upconversion theranostic nanomachine is devised and tailors for CRISPR-Cas9/DNAzyme systems mediate precise gene therapy. An ingenious logic DNAzyme system consists of Chain 1 (C1)/Chain 2 (C2) and endogenous lncRNA is designed. We employ manganese modified upconversion nanoparticles for carrying ultraviolet-responsive C1-PC linker-C2 (C₂P) chain and Cas9 ribonucleoprotein (RNP), with outermost coats with hyaluronic acid. Upon reaching tumor microenvironment (TME), the released Mn²⁺ ions orchestrate a trifecta: facilitating endosomal escape, activating cGAS-STING signaling, and enabling T1-magnetic resonance imaging. Under near-infrared irradiation, Cas9 RNP/C₂P complex dissociates, releasing Cas9 RNP into the nucleus to perform gene editing of Ptpn2, while C1/C2 chains self-assemble with endogenous lncRNA to form a functional DNAzyme system, targeting PD-L1 mRNA for gene silencing. This strategy remodels the TME by activating cGAS-STING signaling and dual immune checkpoints blockade, thus realizing tumor elimination. Our theranostic nanomachine armed with the CRISPR-Cas9/DNAzyme logic systems, represents a resourceful and promising strategy for advancing cancer systemic immunotherapy and precise gene therapy.

Objective To quantitatively measure the density of hydroxyapatite(HAP)(water)within lumbar vertebral bodies using the gemstone spectral imaging(GSI)material decomposition technique and to compare and analyze the clinical significance of density variations of HAP(water)in different regions of L1-L3 vertebral bodies.Methods A total of 242 patients who underwent lumbar quantitative computed tomography(QCT)scans via utilizing the GSI technique were selected.Following the scans,the HAP(water)density values in four regions(anterosuperior,posterosuperior,anteroinferior,and posteroinferior)of each L1-L3 vertebral bodies were quantitatively measured using the material decomposition technique.Based on the QCT results,all cases were divided into three groups of normal bone mineral density,osteopenia,and osteoporosis.The distributions of HAP(water)density values in the four regions within each vertebral body were compared and analyzed among the groups.Results In all three groups of patients,the highest HAP(water)density values in the L1-L3 vertebral bodies were all located in the posteroinferior region,followed by the posterosuperior region.In the normal bone mineral density group,the lowest HAP(water)density values was found in the anterosuperior region of the L1 vertebral body.In the osteopenia and osteoporosis groups,the lowest HAP(water)density values was found in the anteroinferior region of the L1-L3 vertebral bodies.Conclusion Significant differences in HAP(water)density are present across different regions within lumbar vertebral bodies,which may be related to the development of vertebral osteoporosis and the location of fractures.

Objective: To understand the status and associated factors of knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) about myopia prevention and control among young children s parents in Guangzhou, so as to provide reference for family health education on myopia prevention and control. Methods: During January to February 2023, 4 584 parents of children from kindergarten and primary school (grade 1-3) were recruited. Two to three kindergartens and 2 primary schools were selected from each of the 3 urban districts and 2 suburb districts of Guangzhou by stratified cluster random sampling method. Parents of children were administered with online questionnaire survey on KAP about myopia prevention and control. Descriptive analyses and multivariate Logistic regression models were used. Results: The proportion of parents reaching standard of KAP about myopia prevention and control was 61.54%, the knowledge awareness rate was 57.30%, the positive attitude holding rate was 76.98% and the health practice formation rate was 63.31 %. Internet (70.35%) and lectures on school health education/health education materials (66.14%) were the most common ways for obtaining knowledge for parents. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that urban area, higher education ( college /undergraduate or above), annual household income 50 000-90 000, 100 000-290 000, 300 000-490 000, 500 000- 590 000 , and ≥600 000 Yuan, being aware of vision status (normal/poor) of their children, one or both parents with myopia, both parents with non myopia, acquiring knowledge by multi ways(2, 3, ≥4) were associated with higher KAP about myopia prev ention and control ( OR =1.23, 1.34, 1.36, 1.25，1.49, 1.93, 2.34, 1.64, 1.66, 1.89, 3.48, 3.09, 2.42, 1.65, 2.29, 3.22, P ＜ 0.05). Conclusion Knowledge and practice about myopia prevention and control among young children s parents in Guangzhou are insufficient, yet the attitude was satisfactory. It is necessary to carry out targeted education for parents, especially those living in suburb area, with low education and income level.

Objective:To investigate the prevalence of thyroid nodules (TN) among people undergoing physical examination in Taiyuan City, and evaluate the impact of hyperuricemia (HUA) on the risk of TN.Methods:Using a prospective design, a total of 42 966 people who underwent routine physical examination at Shanxi Shangning Health Examination Center from October 2020 to October 2021 were selected as subjects and divided into the HUA group ( n = 7 235) and the non-HUA group ( n = 35 731) based on the serum uric acid levels. The propensity score matching (PSM) method was used to balance the confounding factors between groups, and logistic regression was used to analyze the impact of HUA on the risk of TN. Results:The total detection rate of TN in the physical examination population was 55.6% (23 907/42 966). The detection rate of TN in females [61.0% (15 011/24 618)] was higher than that in males [48.5% (8 896/18 348)], and the difference was statistically significant (χ 2 = 664.55, P < 0.001). A total of 2 438 pairs of matching data were obtained after PSM, and the distribution of confounding factors in HUA and non-HUA groups reached equilibrium (the absolute values of standardized differences < 0.10). Logistic regression analysis before PSM showed that HUA was a protective factor for the incidence of TN in general population and males [odds ratio ( OR) = 0.696, 0.817, 95% confidence interval ( CI): 0.661 - 0.732, 0.768 - 0.868], while HUA was a risk factor for the incidence of TN in females ( OR = 1.370, 95% CI: 1.192 - 1.574). After PSM, HUA was not a influencing factor for the incidence of TN in general population and males ( P > 0.05), but it was still a risk factor in females for the onset of TN ( OR = 1.373, 95% CI: 1.014 - 1.858). Conclusion:In the physical examination population in Taiyuan City, HUA is an independent risk factor for TN in females.

Objective:To investigate the effects of fractional CO 2 laser, focused ultrasound and simple drug treatment of gynecological vulva white lesions. Methods:A prospective study was conducted on 126 patients with white lesions of the vulva admitted to Hainan Cancer Hospital from August 2018 to December 2020. They were divided into drug group, focused ultrasound group and fractional CO 2 laser group by random number table method, with 42 patients in each group. The drug group was treated with mometasone furoate cream or dexamethasone acetate cream, and the focused ultrasound group was treated with focused ultrasound; the fractional CO 2 laser group was treated with fractional CO 2 laser. The serum interleukin-2 (IL-2), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), C-reactive protein (CRP), and human epidermal growth factor (EGF) levels before and after treatment, and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) scores of the three groups were compared. Results:Before treatment, there was no significant difference in the levels of IL-2, TNF-α, CRP and EGF among the three groups (all P>0.05). After treatment, the levels of IL-2, TNF-α, CRP and EGF in the three groups were significantly decreased, and the levels of IL-2, TNF-α, CRP and EGF in the focused ultrasound group and fractional CO 2 laser group were lower than those in the drug group, with statistically significant difference (all P<0.05). Before treatment, there was no significant difference in the white lesions, dry pruritus, sexual pain and chapped skin scores of the three groups (all P>0.05); After treatment, scores of all dimensions of the three groups were significantly decreased, and scores of all dimensions of the focused ultrasound group and fractional CO 2 laser were lower than those of the drug group, with statistical significance (all P<0.05). Before treatment, there was no significant difference in the scores of symptoms and feelings, daily activities and interpersonal relationship of the three groups (all P>0.05); After treatment, scores of all dimensions of the three groups were significantly decreased, and scores of all dimensions of the focused ultrasound group and fractional CO 2 laser were lower than those of the drug group, with statistical significance (all P<0.05). Conclusions:Fractional CO 2 laser has a remarkable effect in the treatment of gynecological vulva white lesions, which can reduce the level of inflammatory factors in patients, improve the pain condition, and improve the quality of life.

The skin is the first barrier to maintain the stability of internal environment of the body and resist harmful factors of external environment, and is easily damaged because of various external factors. When full-thickness skin defects reach a certain level, it is difficult for the skin to repair itself, so wound dressings are needed to promote wound healing. Seeking an ideal dressing that can promote wound healing has long been a hot research topic. Chitosan is a unique biopolysaccharide polymer with good biocompatibility, biodegradability, antibacterial activity, and thermal stability, which has great potential in the development and application of wound dressings. Based on the introduction of properties of chitosan, this article reviews the role and mechanism of chitosan-based wound dressings in wound healing, and summarizes the hemostatic effect, antibacterial effect, delivery effect, and tissue regeneration promotion effect of chitosan, aiming to provide a certain reference for the research and development of new chitosan-based wound dressings in the future.

This article reports two rare Crohn′s disease (CD) cases during infliximab maintenance treatment complicated with IgA vasculitis (IgAV) . Clinical characteristics, treatment, and pathogenesis of CD complicated with IgAV were discussed in details. Exploring the association between these two diseases is conducive to individualized treatment and improvement of patients′ prognosis.