Heart failure (HF) is a common end-stage clinical manifestation of cardiovascular diseases, imposing substantial health-related burdens worldwide. With its high mortality rates and poor long-term prognosis, there is a pressing need for novel therapies. SIRT1, a nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺)-dependent deacetylase, has anti-cardiovascular aging properties and other cardioprotective effects, attracting much research attention in recent years. In addition, SIRT1 plays an important role in HF pathophysiology. This review summarized the roles of SIRT1 and its activators in HF, the changes of SIRT1 gene expression in cardiac tissues from animal models and HF patients, and the current status of clinical trials investigating SIRT1 activators as potential therapies for HF. This will provide new ideas for further exploration of pathological mechanisms and the development of clinical prevention strategies for HF.
Heart Failure/metabolism* ; Sirtuin 1/genetics* ; Humans ; Animals

Objective:To explore the surgical methods and treatment effects of adult anterior dislocation of the sacroiliac joint (AADSJ).Methods:A multi-center retrospective case series study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 25 cases admitted in 5 clinical centers (affiliations of authors in this article) from January 2016 to January 2021. There were 18 males and 7 females, aged 38.8±15.5 years (range, 18-83 years). The AADSJ clinical classification system was formulated based on the radiographic morphology of anterior dislocation of the sacroiliac joint, which includes two types. Type I: complete anterior dislocation of the sacroiliac joint, and displacement of the entire iliac auricular surface to the front of the sacrum. Type II: fracture of the sacroiliac joint combined with anterior dislocation, subdivided into 3 subtypes. Type IIa: iliac fracture involves the anterior 1/3 of the sacroiliac joint, and dislocation of the ilium anterior to the sacrum. Type IIb: iliac fracture involves the posterior 2/3 of the sacroiliac joint, and dislocation of the ilium anterior to the sacrum. Type IIc: iliac fracture involves the posterior 2/3 of the sacroiliac joint, and dislocation of the ilium anteromedial to the sacrum. The reliability and repeatability of the clinical classification, Tile classification and Young-Burgess classification were performed based on the results of two-phase assessments in four observers. The operations were performed by the lateral-rectus approach and the ilioinguinal approach. The operation time and intraoperative bleeding were recorded. Pelvic X-ray and CT scan were rechecked after the operation. The quality of fracture reduction was evaluated according to Matta score. The postoperative functional rehabilitation was evaluated according to the Majeed rehabilitation standard at one-year follow-up.Results:Among 25 cases in this study, there were 3 cases of Type I, 5 cases of Type IIa, 9 cases of Type IIb and 8 cases of Type IIc according to the clinical classification system. The Kappa values of reliability tests for the clinical classification, Tile classification and Young-Burgess classification were 0.681, 0.328 and 0.383, respectively. The Kappa values of repeatability tests for the clinical classification, Tile classification and Young-Burgess classification were 0.690, 0.221 and 0.395, respectively. The reliability and repeatability of the AADSJ clinical classification were significantly better than other classifications. There were 14 cases underwent lateral rectus abdominis approach and 11 cases underwent ilioinguinal approach. The operative time for managing anterior dislocation of the sacroiliac joint was 122.0±50.7 min (range, 65-148 min) through the lateral rectus abdominis approach, and through the ilioinguinal approach was 178.0±49.9 min (range, 110-270 min), with a significant difference ( t=2.76, P=0.011). The amount of intraoperative blood loss through the lateral rectus approach was 680±330 ml (range, 350-2,120 ml), which was significantly less than that through the ilioinguinal approach (1,660±968 ml, 680-3,300 ml), with a significant difference ( t=3.55, P=0.002). The follow-up period was 1-3 years. At one week after surgery, the quality of fracture reduction evaluated by Matta score showed that the excellent and good reduction rate of the lateral-rectus approach was 79% (11/14), and that of the ilioinguinal approach was 73% (11/14), with no statistically significant difference ( P=1.000). At a one-year follow-up, according to Majeed's criteria, the overall excellent and good rate of the lateral-rectus approach was 64% (9/14), which is similar to 64% (7/11) of that of the ilioinguinal approach. No fracture reduction loss or internal fixation loosening failure occurred. Conclusion:The AADSJ clinical classification system can accurately describe the imaging features and clinical manifestations of AADSJ, with high reliability and repeatability. The AADSJ can be treated by the lateral-rectus approach or the ilioinguinal approach, with similar therapeutic effects but the former having less trauma.

Objective: To understand the status of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) cohort studies and explore the feasibility of constructing ASD disease-specific cohorts based on real-world data (RWD). Methods: ASD cohort studies published by December 2022 were collected by literature retrieval from major Chinese and English databases. And the characteristics of the cohort were summarized. Results: A total of 1 702 ASD cohort studies were included, and only 60 (3.53%) were from China. A total of 163 ASD-related cohorts were screened, of which 55.83% were birth cohorts, 28.22% were ASD-specific cohorts, and 4.91% were ASD high-risk cohorts. Most cohorts used RWD such as hospital registries or conducted community-based field surveys to obtain participant information and identified patients with ASD by scales or clinical diagnoses. The contents of the studies included ASD incidence and prognostic risk factors, ASD comorbidity patterns and the impact of ASD on self-health and their offspring's health. Conclusions: ASD cohort studies in developed countries have been in the advanced stage, while the Chinese studies are still in their infancy. RWD provides the data basis for ASD-specific cohort construction and offers new opportunities for research, but work such as case validation is still needed to ensure the scientific nature of cohort construction.
Humans ; Autism Spectrum Disorder ; Cohort Studies ; Databases, Factual

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has continued to spread globally since late 2019, representing a formidable challenge to the world's healthcare systems, wreaking havoc, and spreading rapidly through human contact. With fever, fatigue, and a persistent dry cough being the hallmark symptoms, this disease threatened to destabilize the delicate balance of our global community. Rapid and accurate diagnosis of COVID-19 is a prerequisite for understanding the number of confirmed cases in the world or a region, and an important factor in epidemic assessment and the development of control measures. It also plays a crucial role in ensuring that patients receive the appropriate medical treatment, leading to optimal patient care. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technology is currently the most mature method for detecting viral nucleic acids, but it has many drawbacks. Meanwhile, a variety of COVID-19 detection methods, including molecular biological diagnostic, immunodiagnostic, imaging, and artificial intelligence methods have been developed and applied in clinical practice to meet diverse scenarios and needs. These methods can help clinicians diagnose and treat COVID-19 patients. This review describes the variety of such methods used in China, providing an important reference in the field of the clinical diagnosis of COVID-19.
Humans ; Artificial Intelligence ; China ; COVID-19/diagnosis* ; COVID-19 Testing

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical characteristics and treatment of pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), in order to improve the early diagnosis and effective treatment. METHODS: Clinical data of five children with ALL developing PCP in the post-chemotherapy granulocyte deficiency phase were analyzed retrospectively. The clinical manifestations, laboratory tests, imaging findings, treatment methods and effect were summarized. RESULTS: The male-to-female ratio of the five children was 1∶4, and the median age was 5.5 (2.9-8) years old. All patients developed PCP during granulocyte deficiency phase after induction remission chemotherapy. The clinical manifestations were generally non-specific, including high fever, tachypnea, dyspnea, non-severe cough, and rare rales in two lungs (wet rales in two patients). Laboratory tests showed elevated C-reactive protein (CRP), serum procalcitonin (PCT), (1,3)-β-D-glucan (BDG), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and inflammatory factors including IL-2R, IL-6 and IL-8. Chest CT showed diffuse bilateral infiltrates with patchy hyperdense shadows. Pneumocystis carinii(PC) was detected in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) or induced sputum by high-throughput sequencing in all patients. When PCP was suspected, chemotherapy was discontinued immediately, treatment of trimethoprim-sulfame thoxazole (TMP-SMX) combined with caspofungin against PC was started, and adjunctive methylprednisolone was used. Meanwhile, granulocyte-stimulating factor and gammaglobulin were given as the supportive treatment. All patients were transferred to PICU receiving mechanical ventilation due to respiratory distress during treatment. Four children were cured and one died. CONCLUSION PCP should be highly suspected in ALL children with high fever, dyspnea, increased LDH and BDG, and diffuse patchy hyperdense shadow or solid changes in lung CT. The pathogen detection of respiratory specimens should be improved as soon as possible. TMP/SMZ is the first-line drug against PCP, and the combination of Caspofungin and TMP/SMZ treatment for NH-PCP may have a better efficacy. Patients with moderate and severe NH-PCP may benefit from glucocorticoid.
Caspofungin/therapeutic use* ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Dyspnea ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Pneumonia, Pneumocystis/therapy* ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma/therapy* ; Respiratory Sounds ; Retrospective Studies

Objective:To investigate the body composition and sarcopenia in patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and to analyze the influencing factors.Methods:A total of 220 patients with stable COPD were enrolled in the study from China-Japan Friendship Hospital during July 2018 to December 2019; 220 age and sex-matched healthy subjects (control group 1) and 220 healthy young adults aged 20-40 years (control group 2) were enrolled from the community. The body composition was measured by bioelectrical impedance method. The demographic characteristics, disease conditions, living background and other related factors were collected by questionnaire. T test or one-way ANOVA were used for comparison between groups, and non parametric test was used for non normal distribution data.Results:Compared with the control group 1 and control group 2, the body fat rate ( Z=-10.037, t=-8.411), the fat free mass index ( Z=-8.165, t=-7.856), and appendicular skeletal muscle index (ASMI) ( t=-7.158, t=-11.989) were significantly lower in stable COPD patients ( P<0.05). Among 220 patients with stable COPD, 51 (23.2%) were diagnosed as sarcopenia; the prevalence of sarcopenia was 18.3% (24/131) in men and 30.3% (27/89) in women (χ2=4.297, P=0.038). The decreased ASMI and grip strength in COPD patients with sarcopenia were significantly associated with age≥75 (χ2= 15.746, F= 14.048), female sex ( Z=5.805, t=2.672), low income ( Z=-4.291, t=-4.789), Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) grade Ⅳ (χ2=22.644, F=3.905), Modified British Medical Research Council (mMRC) Dyspnea Scale grade 4 (χ2=12.475, F=4.369), not receiving systematic health education ( Z=-4.239, Z=-2.474), no exercise (χ2=14.786, F=3.402), insufficient nutrition intake (χ2=40.531, F=10.529). The range of 6-min walking distance was (110-268) m, that was even shorter for patients with mMRC dyspnea scale grade 4 ( F=3.468, P<0.05). Conclusion:The impairment of body composition is common in COPD patients, which will further affect the body function. It is suggested that the routine evaluation of COPD should include the measurement of body composition.

Objective:Surgical site infection (SSI) is the most common infectious complication after emergency abdominal surgery (EAS). To a large extent, most SSI can be prevented, but there are few relevant studies in China. This study mainly investigated the current situation of SSI occurrence after EAS in China, and further explored risk factors for SSI occurrence.Methods:Multi-center cross-sectional study was conducted. Clinical data of patients undergoing EAS in 33 hospitals across China between May 1, 2019 and June 7, 2019 were prospectively collected, including perioperative data and microbial culture results from infected incisions. The primary outcome was the incidence of SSI after EAS, while the secondary outcomes were postoperative hospital stay, ICU occupancy rate, length of ICU stay, hospitalization cost, and mortality within postoperative 30 days. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to analyze the risk factors of SSI after EAS.Results:A total of 660 EAS patients aged (47.9±18.3) years were enrolled in this study, including 56.5% of males (373/660). Forty-nine (7.4%) patients developed postoperative SSI. The main pathogen of SSI was Escherichia coli [culture positive rate was 32.7% (16/49)]. As compared to patients without SSI, those with SSI were more likely to be older (median 56 years vs. 46 years, U=19 973.5, P<0.001), male [71.4% (35/49) vs. 56.1% (343/611), χ 2=4.334, P=0.037] and diabetes [14.3% (7/49) vs. 5.1% (31/611), χ 2=5.498, P=0.015]; with-lower preoperative hemoglobin (median: 122.0 g/L vs. 143.5 g/L, U=11 471.5, P=0.006) and albumin (median: 35.5 g/L vs. 40.8 g/L, U=9452.0, P<0.001), with higher blood glucose (median: 6.9 mmol/L vs. 6.0 mmol/L, U=17 754.5, P<0.001); with intestinal obstruction [32.7% (16/49) vs. 9.2% (56/611), χ 2=25.749, P<0.001], with ASA score 3-4 [42.9% (21/49) vs. 13.9% (85/611), χ 2=25.563, P<0.001] and with high surgical risk [49.0% (24/49) vs. 7.0% (43/611), χ 2=105.301, P<0.001]. The main operative procedure resulting in SSI was laparotomy [81.6%(40/49) vs. 35.7%(218/611), χ 2=40.232, P<0.001]. Patients with SSI experienced significantly longer operation time (median: 150 minutes vs. 75 minutes, U=25 183.5, P<0.001). In terms of clinical outcome, higher ICU occupancy rate [51.0% (25/49) vs. 19.5% (119/611), χ 2=26.461, P<0.001], more hospitalization costs (median: 44 000 yuan vs. 15 000 yuan, U=24 660.0, P<0.001), longer postoperative hospital stay (median: 10 days vs. 5 days, U=23 100.0, P<0.001) and longer ICU occupancy time (median: 0 days vs. 0 days, U=19 541.5, P<0.001) were found in the SSI group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the elderly (OR=3.253, 95% CI: 1.178-8.985, P=0.023), colorectal surgery (OR=9.156, 95% CI: 3.655-22.937, P<0.001) and longer operation time (OR=15.912, 95% CI:6.858-36.916, P<0.001) were independent risk factors of SSI, while the laparoscopic surgery (OR=0.288, 95% CI: 0.119-0.694, P=0.006) was an independent protective factor for SSI. Conclusions:For patients undergoing EAS, attention should be paid to middle-aged and elderly patients and those of colorectal surgery. Laparoscopic surgery should be adopted when feasible and the operation time should be minimized, so as to reduce the incidence of SSI and to reduce the burden on patients and medical institutions.

Objective:Surgical site infection (SSI) is the most common infectious complication after emergency abdominal surgery (EAS). To a large extent, most SSI can be prevented, but there are few relevant studies in China. This study mainly investigated the current situation of SSI occurrence after EAS in China, and further explored risk factors for SSI occurrence.Methods:Multi-center cross-sectional study was conducted. Clinical data of patients undergoing EAS in 33 hospitals across China between May 1, 2019 and June 7, 2019 were prospectively collected, including perioperative data and microbial culture results from infected incisions. The primary outcome was the incidence of SSI after EAS, while the secondary outcomes were postoperative hospital stay, ICU occupancy rate, length of ICU stay, hospitalization cost, and mortality within postoperative 30 days. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to analyze the risk factors of SSI after EAS.Results:A total of 660 EAS patients aged (47.9±18.3) years were enrolled in this study, including 56.5% of males (373/660). Forty-nine (7.4%) patients developed postoperative SSI. The main pathogen of SSI was Escherichia coli [culture positive rate was 32.7% (16/49)]. As compared to patients without SSI, those with SSI were more likely to be older (median 56 years vs. 46 years, U=19 973.5, P<0.001), male [71.4% (35/49) vs. 56.1% (343/611), χ 2=4.334, P=0.037] and diabetes [14.3% (7/49) vs. 5.1% (31/611), χ 2=5.498, P=0.015]; with-lower preoperative hemoglobin (median: 122.0 g/L vs. 143.5 g/L, U=11 471.5, P=0.006) and albumin (median: 35.5 g/L vs. 40.8 g/L, U=9452.0, P<0.001), with higher blood glucose (median: 6.9 mmol/L vs. 6.0 mmol/L, U=17 754.5, P<0.001); with intestinal obstruction [32.7% (16/49) vs. 9.2% (56/611), χ 2=25.749, P<0.001], with ASA score 3-4 [42.9% (21/49) vs. 13.9% (85/611), χ 2=25.563, P<0.001] and with high surgical risk [49.0% (24/49) vs. 7.0% (43/611), χ 2=105.301, P<0.001]. The main operative procedure resulting in SSI was laparotomy [81.6%(40/49) vs. 35.7%(218/611), χ 2=40.232, P<0.001]. Patients with SSI experienced significantly longer operation time (median: 150 minutes vs. 75 minutes, U=25 183.5, P<0.001). In terms of clinical outcome, higher ICU occupancy rate [51.0% (25/49) vs. 19.5% (119/611), χ 2=26.461, P<0.001], more hospitalization costs (median: 44 000 yuan vs. 15 000 yuan, U=24 660.0, P<0.001), longer postoperative hospital stay (median: 10 days vs. 5 days, U=23 100.0, P<0.001) and longer ICU occupancy time (median: 0 days vs. 0 days, U=19 541.5, P<0.001) were found in the SSI group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the elderly (OR=3.253, 95% CI: 1.178-8.985, P=0.023), colorectal surgery (OR=9.156, 95% CI: 3.655-22.937, P<0.001) and longer operation time (OR=15.912, 95% CI:6.858-36.916, P<0.001) were independent risk factors of SSI, while the laparoscopic surgery (OR=0.288, 95% CI: 0.119-0.694, P=0.006) was an independent protective factor for SSI. Conclusions:For patients undergoing EAS, attention should be paid to middle-aged and elderly patients and those of colorectal surgery. Laparoscopic surgery should be adopted when feasible and the operation time should be minimized, so as to reduce the incidence of SSI and to reduce the burden on patients and medical institutions.

Objective: To investigate the effect of magnetic-induced cell targeted transplantation (MagIC-TT) on repair of bone defects in mice using therapeutic fluorescent gene labeled cells into bone tissue and its mechanism. Methods: The proliferation, apoptosis and targeted migration ability were compared between magnetized and unmagnetized murine bone marrow stromal cells labeled with green fluorescent protein (GFP-BMSCs) (n=3). GFP-BMSCs were loaded into tissue engineering bone (TEB) by MagIC-TT in the experimental group (n=5) before the TEB was transplanted into the large femur defects in the model of red fluorescent protein (RFP) transgenic mice. In the control group (n=5) TEB was not loaded with GFP-BMSCs while in the blank group (n=3) the large femur defects were only fixated with intramedullary nails. The effects and mechanism of bone repair were explored 3 months after surgery using X-ray, micro-CT, semi-solid decalcification (SSD) and histology, respectively Results: There were no significant differences between magnetized and non-magnetized GFP-BMSCs in proliferation (0.760±0.029 versus 0.733±0.033) or in survival rate (87.9%±1.0% versus 87.4%±2.0%) (P>0.05), but the mobility of magnetized GFP-BMSCs was significantly higher than that of non-magnetized GFP-BMSCs (P<0.05). The X-ray 3 months after surgery showed that the scaffolds in the experimental group were degraded and that the proximal and distal ends of the femoral defects were connected by new bone tissue. No new bone formation was found in the blank group while a small amount of bone formation was observed in the control group. The Micro-CT showed that stable new bone tissue formed in the femur defects after removal of intramedullary nails in the experimental group. The SSD showed that GFP-MSCs were densely distributed in the scaffolds with red fluorescent protein (RFP) recipient cells penetrating them, indicating involvement of both donor and recipient cells in the formation of new bone. Conclusions MagIC-TT can be used to promote introduction of therapeutic cells into bone tissue to achieve a fine effect on repairing bone defects. Dual fluorescence gene marking combined with SSD shows that both donor and recipient cells may take part in the bone repairing.

Objective To explore the preparation and identification of amyloid-β protein 1-42 (Aβ1-42) oligomers and their effect on in vitro cultured astrocytes in mice.Methods (1) Aβ1-42peptides were dissolved and 100 μ mol/L Aβ1-42 polypeptide was chosen as mother liquor;and then,they were incubated under different conditions (4 ℃ for 24 h,4 ℃ for 72 h,37 ℃ for 24 h and 37 ℃ for 72 h);the form of Aβ-42 was observed under electron microscope and the degrees of Aβ1-42 polymerization were detected by Western blotting.(2) Aβ1-42 oligomers of different concentrations (Aβ1-42 polypeptide as mother liquor being incubated under condition of 4 ℃ for 24 h) were added into the in vitro cultured astrocytes;CCK-8 assay was used to detect the effects ofAβ1-42 oligomers (0,0.1,0.5,1,5,10,50,and 100 μmol/L) on astrocytic viability;after 0,1,10,and 50 μmol/L Aβ1-42 oligomers treatment,immunofluorescence was employed to detect the morphological changes of astrocytes and Western blotting was used to detect the glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and aquaporin-4 (AQP4) expressions.Results (1) Different forms and degrees of polymerization of Aβ1-42 could be observed by electron microscope and Western blotting:100 μmol/L Aβ1-42 polypeptides could induce 10 nm granulated mixture of Aβ1-42 oligomers at 4 ℃ incubation for 24 h;proteins with relative molecular mass of 10 000 had decreased expression,and those of 15 000-25 000 had increased expression.(2) Twenty-four h after Aβ1-42oligomers treatment,the viability of astrocytes was increased gradually:as compared with the 0 μmol/L Aβ1-42 oligomer treatment group,the 10,50 and 100 μmol/L Aβ1-42 oligomer treatment groups had significantly increased viability of astrocytes (P＜0.05);immunofluorescent staining indicated that as compared with the 0 μmol/L Aβ1-42 oligomer treatment group,the one,10,and 50 μmol/L Aβ1-42 oligomer treatment groups had activated astrocytes:enlarged soma,increased cell processes and increased GFAP fluorescence intensity were noted;Western blotting indicated that following the increased oligomer concentrations,the protein expressions of GFAP and AQP4 increased:as compared with the 0 μmol/L Aβ1-42 oligomer treatment group,the 10 and 50 μmol/L Aβ1-42 oligomer treatment groups had significantly increased GFAP protein expression (P＜0.05);and as compared with the 0 μmol/L Aβ1-42 oligomer treatment group,the one,10,and 50 μmol/L Aβ1-42 oligomer treatment groups had significantly increased AQP4 protein expression (P＜0.05) Conclusions The Aβ1-42 oligomers could be prepared with 100 μmol/L peptide under 4 ℃ for 24 h.Aβ1-42 oligomers could activate astrocytes and up-regulate the AQP4 expression,which might be a self protective mechanism.