OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the potential mediating role of plasma phosphorylated tau217 (p-tau217) in the association between periodontitis and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). METHODS: In this case-control study, patients diagnosed with MCI in the Neurology Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong Second Medical University from November 2023 to May 2024 were selected as the case group (MCI group). Cognitively normal (CN) volunteers, matched for age and education level and recruited from the physical examination center during the same period, served as the control group (CN group). The general demographic data of the study participants were collected. The Beijing versions of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), clinical dementia rating (CDR), and activities of daily living scale (ADL) were used to assess neuropsychological functions. Clinical periodontal examinations were conducted, the periodontal inflamed surface area (PISA) was calculated, and the periodontitis stage was determined in accordance with the 2018 classification. Fasting elbow venous blood samples were collected in the morning, and blood biochemical indicators were measured. Plasma p-tau217 levels were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Statistical analyses were performed using t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, chi-square test, partial correlation analysis, multivariate Logistic regression analysis, multiple linear regression analysis, restricted cubic spline (RCS) regression analysis, and mediation effect analysis. RESULTS: Among the 192 participants, 96 belong to the MCI group and 96 to the CN group. The prevalence of periodontitis was 63.5% in the MCI group and 43.8% in the CN group, with a statistically significant difference (χ²=7.561, P=0.006). The plasma p-tau217 levels in the MCI group were significantly higher than those in the CN group [7.00 (4.27-9.65) ng/mL versus 2.02 (0.80-3.81) ng/mL, Z=-8.108, P<0.001]. Partial correlation analysis revealed that plasma p-tau217 levels were positively correlated with all the clinical periodontal indices (all P<0.001). After adjustments for baseline covariates, multivariate Logistic regression indicated that periodontitis was an independent risk factor for MCI. Patients with periodontitis had a 1.977-fold higher MCI risk than those without periodontitis (OR=1.977, 95%CI: 1.088-3.594, P=0.025). Moreover, the MCI risk for stage Ⅰ/Ⅱ periodontitis and stage Ⅲ/Ⅳ periodontitis was 1.878 times (OR=1.878, 95%CI: 1.029-3.425, P=0.040) and 2.625 times (OR=2.625, 95%CI: 1.073-6.246, P=0.035) higher than that for patients without periodontitis, respectively. Trend test showed that the MCI risk increased with periodontitis severity (P_trend=0.016). After adjustments for baseline covariates, multiple linear regression analysis showed that periodontitis was an independent risk factor for increased plasma p-tau217 levels (β=3.309, 95%CI: 2.363-4.254, P<0.001). Compared with patients without periodontitis, those with stage Ⅰ/Ⅱ periodontitis (β=1.838, 95%CI: 0.869-2.806, P<0.001) and stage Ⅲ/Ⅳ periodontitis (β=5.539, 95%CI: 4.442-6.636, P<0.001) had significantly higher plasma p-tau217 levels. In addition, trend test indicated that plasma p-tau217 levels increased with periodontitis severity (P_trend<0.001). After adjustments for baseline covariates, RCS regression analysis further revealed that PISA had a positive linear dose-response relationship with MCI risk (P_overall=0.002, P_nonlinear=0.344) and plasma p-tau217 levels (P_overall<0.001, P_nonlinear=0.140). After adjustments for baseline covariates, mediation analysis showed that plasma p-tau217 mediated the association between periodontitis and MCI, with a mediation proportion of 13.99% (95% Bootstrap CI: 0.38%-49.39%, P=0.038). CONCLUSIONS Periodontitis was independently positively associated with MCI risk, and plasma p-tau217 plays a mediating role in this association.
Humans ; Cognitive Dysfunction/complications* ; tau Proteins/blood* ; Periodontitis/complications* ; Case-Control Studies ; Male ; Female ; Phosphorylation ; Aged ; Middle Aged ; Activities of Daily Living

Objective To explore the value of droplet digital polymerase chain reaction(ddPCR)in the etiological diagnosis of severe acute pancreatitis(SAP)patients with suspected bloodstream infection(BSI).Methods SAP patients admitted to the department of critical care medicine in a hospital July to September 2022 were enrolled.When BSI was suspected,venous blood was collected for both ddPCR detection and blood culture(BC)with antimi-crobial susceptibility testing(AST)simultaneously.The time required for two detection methods was recorded,and the detection results of ddPCR and BC were compared.The etiological diagnostic efficacy of ddPCR was calculated,and the correlation between the value of pathogen load detected by ddPCR and the level of infection parameters was explored.Results A total of 22 patients were included in the analysis,and 52 venous blood specimens were collec-ted for detection.BC revealed 17 positive specimens(32.7％)and 29 pathogenic strains,while ddPCR showed 41 positive specimens(78.8％)and 73 pathogenic strains.Detection time required for ddPCR was significantly lower than that of BC([0.16±0.03]days vs[5.92±1.20]days,P＜0.001).Within the detection range of ddPCR and taking BC results as the gold standard,the sensitivity and specificity of ddPCR were 80.0％and 28.6％,respective-ly.With the combined assessment of BSI based on non-blood specimen microbial evidence within a week,the sensi-tivity and specificity of ddPCR detection increased to 91.9％and 76.9％,respectively.ddPCR detected resistance genes of blaKPC,blaNDM/IMP,VanA/VanM,and mecA from 19,9,6,and 5 specimens,respectively.Correlation analysis showed a positive correlation between pathogen load and levels of C-reactive protein as well as procalcitonin(r=0.347,0.414,P＜0.05).Conclusion As a supplementary detection method for BC in BSI diagnosis,ddPCR has the advantages of higher sensitivity and shorter detection time,and is worthy of further exploration in clinical application.

Objective To analyze the characteristics of males with autologous sperm preservation(ASP)in Anhui human sperm bank,and to explore the future direction of ASP in human sperm bank.Methods The basic infor-mation of males applied for ASP in Anhui human sperm bank from January 2019 to December 2023 was retrospec-tively analyzed.Results During this period,there were 424 males applied for ASP.93.40％(396/424)came from Anhui Province,of which 46.46％(197/424)came from Hefei.The age range of them was 15 to 59 years old.66.04％(280/424)had a college degree or above.23.11％(98/424)were employees of public institutions or enterprises.26.89％(114/424)were unmarried and 89.39％(379/424)were childless.67.45％(286/424)patients applied for ASP because of assisted reproductive technology treatment.15.33％(65/424)patients did it due to tumors,among which testicular cancer,lymphoma,leukemia and seminoma were the main reasons.A total of 1 163 semen samples were saved,and 53 males had used their sperm.Conclusion Only a few people applied for ASP,and the characteristics of males with ASP can be used to further strengthen publicity for key groups,espe-cially cancer patients,so as to benefit more people with autologous sperm preservation.

Hyperkalemia is one of the common ion metabolism disorders in clinical practice. Hyperkalemia is defined as serum potassium higher than 5.0 mmol/L according to the guidelines at home and abroad. Acute severe hyperkalemia can cause serious consequences, such as flaccid paralysis, fatal arrhythmia, and even cardiac arrest. The use of renin-angiotensin- aldosterone system inhibitors, β-blockers and diuretics, low-sodium and high-potassium diets, and the presence of related comorbidities increase the occurrence of hyperkalemia. Hyperkalemia risk exist in all clinical departments, but there is a lack of a standardization in the management of multi- department cooperation in hospital. Therefore, a number of domestic nephrology and cardiology department experts have discussed a management model for multi-department cooperation in hyperkalemia, formulating the management standard on hospital evaluation, early warning, diagnosis and treatment, and process. This can promote each department to more effectively participate in nosocomial hyperkalemia diagnosis and treatment, as well as the long-term management of chronic hyperkalemia, improving the quality of hyperkalemia management in hospital.

We conducted a prospective study to assess the non-inferiority of adjuvant chemotherapy alone versus adjuvant concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) as an alternative strategy for patients with early-stage (FIGO 2009 stage IB-IIA) cervical cancer having risk factors after surgery. The condition was assessed in terms of prognosis, adverse effects, and quality of life. This randomized trial involved nine centers across China. Eligible patients were randomized to receive adjuvant chemotherapy or CCRT after surgery. The primary end-point was progression-free survival (PFS). From December 2012 to December 2014, 337 patients were subjected to randomization. Final analysis included 329 patients, including 165 in the adjuvant chemotherapy group and 164 in the adjuvant CCRT group. The median follow-up was 72.1 months. The three-year PFS rates were both 91.9%, and the five-year OS was 90.6% versus 90.0% in adjuvant chemotherapy and CCRT groups, respectively. No significant differences were observed in the PFS or OS between groups. The adjusted HR for PFS was 0.854 (95% confidence interval 0.415-1.757; P = 0.667) favoring adjuvant chemotherapy, excluding the predefined non-inferiority boundary of 1.9. The chemotherapy group showed a tendency toward good quality of life. In comparison with post-operative adjuvant CCRT, adjuvant chemotherapy treatment showed non-inferior efficacy in patients with early-stage cervical cancer having pathological risk factors. Adjuvant chemotherapy alone is a favorable alternative post-operative treatment.
Female ; Humans ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/drug therapy* ; Prospective Studies ; Quality of Life ; Neoplasm Staging ; Chemoradiotherapy ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant/adverse effects* ; Adjuvants, Immunologic ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use* ; Retrospective Studies

During coronavirus disease 2019 epidemic, the treatment of severe trauma has been impacted. The Consensus on emergency surgery and infection prevention and control for severe trauma patients with 2019 novel corona virus pneumonia was published online on February 12, 2020, providing a strong guidance for the emergency treatment of severe trauma and the self-protection of medical staffs in the early stage of the epidemic. With the Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism of the State Council renaming "novel coronavirus pneumonia" to "novel coronavirus infection" and the infection being managed with measures against class B infectious diseases since January 8, 2023, the consensus published in 2020 is no longer applicable to the emergency treatment of severe trauma in the new stage of epidemic prevention and control. In this context, led by the Chinese Traumatology Association, Chinese Trauma Surgeon Association, Trauma Medicine Branch of Chinese International Exchange and Promotive Association for Medical and Health Care, and Editorial Board of Chinese Journal of Traumatology, the Chinese expert consensus on emergency surgery for severe trauma and infection prevention during coronavirus disease 2019 epidemic ( version 2023) is formulated to ensure the effectiveness and safety in the treatment of severe trauma in the new stage. Based on the policy of the Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism of the State Council and by using evidence-based medical evidence as well as Delphi expert consultation and voting, 16 recommendations are put forward from the four aspects of the related definitions, infection prevention, preoperative assessment and preparation, emergency operation and postoperative management, hoping to provide a reference for severe trauma care in the new stage of the epidemic prevention and control.

Objectives: To evaluate the feasibility and preliminary clinical results of transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement (TPVR) with the domestically-produced balloon-expandable Prizvalve system. Methods: This is a prospective single-center observational study. Patients with postoperative right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) dysfunction, who were admitted to West China Hospital of Sichuan University from September 2021 to March 2023 and deemed anatomically suitable for TPVR with balloon-expandable valve, were included. Clinical, imaging, procedural and follow-up data were analyzed. The immediate procedural results were evaluated by clinical implant success rate, which is defined as successful valve implantation with echocardiography-assessed pulmonary regurgitationResults: A total of 5 patients were included, with 4 males, aged 14 to 37 years. The initial diagnosis included Tetralogy of Fallot (2 cases), truncus arteriosus (1 case), pulmonary atresia (1 case) and subaortic stenosis (1 case, prior Ross procedure). Four patients underwent RVOT reconstruction with homograft or artificial conduit, and one patient was treated with trans-annular patch technique. The indications of TPVR included RVOT obstruction and regurgitation (3 cases), isolated obstruction (1 case), and isolated regurgitation (1 case). Of the 4 patients with varying severity of ROVT obstruction, the average preprocedural peak jet velocity of RVOT was 3.5 m/s, and the average peak pressure gradient was 50.0 mmHg. Except for one patient, who had previously been implanted with a covered Cheatham-Platinum (CP) stent due to severe stenosis of the main pulmonary artery, other patients underwent pre-stenting with a covered CP stent before TPVR. Clinical implant success was achieved in all of the 5 patients, and there was no serious periprocedural complications. The average trans-pulmonary peak jet velocity and peak pressure gradient derived from postprocedural echocardiography was 2.3 m/s and 21.2 mmHg, respectively. All patients experienced significant symptom relief after the procedure. All patients completed 3-month follow-up, and 4 completed 6-month follow-up. There was no case of infectious endocarditis during follow-up. All patients were graded as NYHA functional class one at the latest follow-up. Conclusions: TPVR using the domestically-produced balloon-expandable Prizvalve system is safe and feasible for the treatment of patients with post-surgical RVOT dysfunction and suitable landing-zone anatomy. The safety, effectiveness, and long-term valve durability of the Prizvalve system deserve further research.
Male ; Humans ; Pulmonary Valve/surgery* ; Heart Valve Prosthesis/adverse effects* ; Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation ; Constriction, Pathologic/surgery* ; Prospective Studies ; Ventricular Outflow Obstruction/surgery* ; Treatment Outcome ; Cardiac Catheterization/methods* ; Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement

Objectives: To evaluate the feasibility and preliminary clinical results of transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement (TPVR) with the domestically-produced balloon-expandable Prizvalve system. Methods: This is a prospective single-center observational study. Patients with postoperative right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) dysfunction, who were admitted to West China Hospital of Sichuan University from September 2021 to March 2023 and deemed anatomically suitable for TPVR with balloon-expandable valve, were included. Clinical, imaging, procedural and follow-up data were analyzed. The immediate procedural results were evaluated by clinical implant success rate, which is defined as successful valve implantation with echocardiography-assessed pulmonary regurgitationResults: A total of 5 patients were included, with 4 males, aged 14 to 37 years. The initial diagnosis included Tetralogy of Fallot (2 cases), truncus arteriosus (1 case), pulmonary atresia (1 case) and subaortic stenosis (1 case, prior Ross procedure). Four patients underwent RVOT reconstruction with homograft or artificial conduit, and one patient was treated with trans-annular patch technique. The indications of TPVR included RVOT obstruction and regurgitation (3 cases), isolated obstruction (1 case), and isolated regurgitation (1 case). Of the 4 patients with varying severity of ROVT obstruction, the average preprocedural peak jet velocity of RVOT was 3.5 m/s, and the average peak pressure gradient was 50.0 mmHg. Except for one patient, who had previously been implanted with a covered Cheatham-Platinum (CP) stent due to severe stenosis of the main pulmonary artery, other patients underwent pre-stenting with a covered CP stent before TPVR. Clinical implant success was achieved in all of the 5 patients, and there was no serious periprocedural complications. The average trans-pulmonary peak jet velocity and peak pressure gradient derived from postprocedural echocardiography was 2.3 m/s and 21.2 mmHg, respectively. All patients experienced significant symptom relief after the procedure. All patients completed 3-month follow-up, and 4 completed 6-month follow-up. There was no case of infectious endocarditis during follow-up. All patients were graded as NYHA functional class one at the latest follow-up. Conclusions: TPVR using the domestically-produced balloon-expandable Prizvalve system is safe and feasible for the treatment of patients with post-surgical RVOT dysfunction and suitable landing-zone anatomy. The safety, effectiveness, and long-term valve durability of the Prizvalve system deserve further research.
Male ; Humans ; Pulmonary Valve/surgery* ; Heart Valve Prosthesis/adverse effects* ; Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation ; Constriction, Pathologic/surgery* ; Prospective Studies ; Ventricular Outflow Obstruction/surgery* ; Treatment Outcome ; Cardiac Catheterization/methods* ; Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement

This study established a high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) method for the simultaneous determination of verbascoside(VB) and its main metabolite caffeic acid(CA) in rat tissue samples. A low-pressure low-oxygen animal experimental chamber was used to simulate the plateau environment for establishing the hypoxic rat model. After intragastric administration of 300 mg·kg~(-1) VB, the normoxic and hypoxic rats were sacrificed for the collection of heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney, brain, muscle, large intestine, small intestine, and stomach tissue samples at the time points of 30, 60, and 90 min. VB and CA concentrations in each tissue sample were measured by HPLC, and the distribution of VB and CA in normoxic and hypoxic rats was compared. The results showed that after intragastric administration, VB can be rapidly absorbed and distributed into various tissues including brain in both normoxic and hypoxic rats, indicating that VB can pass through the blood-brain barrier. In the gastrointestinal tract, VB was mainly distributed in small intestine, which suggested that the main absorption site of VB was small intestine. A large amount of VB was detected in muscle and lung, and only a small amount in other tissues. CA was detected in other tissues except brain, heart, and muscle. Small intestine had the most abundant CA, followed by stomach, large intestine, and kidney, and only a small amount of CA was detected in the liver, spleen, and lung(<50 ng·mL~(-1)). The results indicated that VB may be mainly absorbed and metabolized in the gastrointestinal tract to produce CA and was possibly excreted through kidney. Compared with normoxic rats, hypoxic rats had reduced and slow distribution of VB and increased ratio of VB concentration in tissue to plasma, which implied that the relative proportion of VB from systemic circulation to tissues was increased in hypoxic rats. This study provides a basis for the application of VB in anti-hypoxia therapy and for the formulation of anti-hypoxia dosing regimens.
Animals ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Glucosides ; Hypoxia ; Phenols ; Polyphenols ; Rats

Objective To forecast the future burden and its attributable risk factors of infective endocarditis (IE). Method We analyzed the disease burden of IE and its risk factors from 1990 to 2019 using the Global Burden of Disease 2019 database and projected the disease burden from 2020 to 2030 using a Bayesian age-period-cohort model. Results By 2030, the incidence of IE will increase uncontrollably on a global scale, with developed countries having the largest number of cases and developing countries experiencing the fastest growth. The affected population will be predominantly males, but the gender gap will narrow. The elderly in high-income countries will bear the greatest burden, with a gradual shift to middle-income countries. The incidence of IE in countries with middle/high-middle social-demographic indicators (SDI) will surpass that of high SDI countries. In China, the incidence rate and the number of IE will reach 18.07 per 100,000 and 451,596 in 2030, respectively. IE-associated deaths and heart failure will continue to impose a significant burden on society, the burden on women will increase and surpass that on men, and the elderly in high-SDI countries will bear the heaviest burden. High systolic blood pressure has become the primary risk factor for IE-related death. Conclusions This study provides comprehensive analyses of the disease burden and risk factors of IE worldwide over the next decade. The IE-associated incidence will increase in the future and the death and heart failure burden will not be appropriately controlled. Gender, age, regional, and country heterogeneity should be taken seriously to facilitate in making effective strategies for lowering the IE disease burden.
Male ; Humans ; Female ; Aged ; Global Burden of Disease ; Bayes Theorem ; Global Health ; Risk Factors ; Cost of Illness ; Endocarditis ; Heart Failure