OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship between blood pressure reactivity index (BPRI) and in-hospital mortality risk in patients with sepsis-associated acute kidney injury (SA-AKI). METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted to collect data from patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) and clinically diagnosed with SA-AKI between 2008 and 2019 in the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care-IV (MIMIC-IV) database in the United States. The collected data included demographic characteristics, comorbidities, vital signs, laboratory parameters, sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) and simplified acute physiology scoreII(SAPSII) within 48 hours of SA-AKI diagnosis, stages of AKI, treatment regimens, mean BPRI during the first and second 24 hours (BPRI_0_24, BPRI_24_48), and outcome measures including primary outcome (in-hospital mortality) and secondary outcomes (ICU length of stay and total hospital length of stay). Variables with statistical significance in univariate analysis were included in LASSO regression analysis for variable selection, and the selected variables were subsequently incorporated into multivariate Logistic regression analysis to identify independent predictors associated with in-hospital mortality in SA-AKI patients. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) analysis was employed to examine whether there was a linear relationship between BPRI within 48 hours and in-hospital mortality in SA-AKI patients. Basic prediction models were constructed based on the independent predictors identified through multivariate Logistic regression analysis, and receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC curve) was plotted to evaluate the predictive performance of each basic prediction model before and after incorporating BPRI. RESULTS: A total of 3 517 SA-AKI patients admitted to the ICU were included, of whom 826 died during hospitalization and 2 691 survived. The BPRI values within 48 hours of SA-AKI diagnosis were significantly lower in the death group compared with the survival group [BPRI_0_24: 4.53 (1.81, 8.11) vs. 17.39 (5.16, 52.43); BPRI_24_48: 4.76 (2.42, 12.44) vs. 32.23 (8.85, 85.52), all P < 0.05]. LASSO regression analysis identified 20 variables with non-zero coefficients that were included in the multivariate Logistic regression analysis. The results showed that respiratory rate, temperature, pulse oxygen saturation (SpO₂), white blood cell count (WBC), hematocrit (HCT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), lactate, oxygenation index, SOFA score, fluid balance (FB), BPRI_0_24, and BPRI_24_48 were all independent predictors for in-hospital mortality in SA-AKI patients (all P < 0.05). RCS analysis revealed that both BPRI showed "L"-shaped non-linear relationships with the risk of in-hospital mortality in SA-AKI patients. When BPRI_0_24 ≤ 14.47 or BPRI_24_48 ≤ 24.21, the risk of in-hospital mortality in SA-AKI increased as BPRI values decreased. Three basic prediction models were constructed based on the identified independent predictors: Model 1 (physiological indicator model) included respiratory rate, temperature, SpO₂, and oxygenation index; Model 2 (laboratory indicator model) included WBC, HCT, APTT, and lactate; Model 3 (scoring indicator model) included SOFA score and FB. ROC curve analysis showed that the predictive performance of the basic models ranked from high to low as follows: Model 3, Model 2, and Model 1, with area under the curve (AUC) values of 0.755, 0.661, and 0.655, respectively. The incorporation of BPRI indicators resulted in significant improvement in the discriminative ability of each model (all P < 0.05), with AUC values increasing to 0.832 for Model 3+BPRI, 0.805 for Model 2+BPRI, and 0.808 for Model 1+BPRI. CONCLUSIONS BPRI is an independent predictor factor for in-hospital mortality in SA-AKI patients. Incorporating BPRI into the prediction model for in-hospital mortality risk in SA-AKI can significantly improve its predictive capability.
Humans ; Acute Kidney Injury/mortality* ; Sepsis/complications* ; Retrospective Studies ; Hospital Mortality ; Prognosis ; Blood Pressure ; Intensive Care Units ; Male ; Female ; Length of Stay ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Adult ; Logistic Models

Objective:To understand the current status and its associated factors of dual use of e-cigarettes and cigarettes among adolescents in Shandong Province and explore the reasons for dual use behavior.Methods:A self-administered survey was conducted among 7 999 middle school students who were selected by stratified multi-stage cluster sample method. Data were weighted and analyzed by the SPSS 25.0 complex program.Results:In Shandong Province, the prevalence rates of attempting and current dual use of e-cigarettes and cigarettes among adolescents appeared as 7.7% and 1.3%, respectively. Male, friends smoking, and secondhand smoke exposure in the past 7 days were risk factors for dual use. Compared with cigarette smokers, dual users have no differences in cognition and behavior in quitting smoking ( P>0.05). The main reason for dual users to smoke e-cigarettes was curiosity. Conclusions:Dual use of e-cigarettes and cigarettes is common among adolescents in Shandong Province, and its influencing factors are similar to traditional cigarettes. Dual use is not a transitional stage for smoking cessation. Dual users are more likely to continue smoking in the future, which should be paid attention and concern.

Objective:To investigate the experience of body quality management in overweight or obese patients with breast cancer during chemotherapy, and to provide reference for formulating targeted nursing interventions.Methods:This study was a phenomenological study of qualitative research. Objective selected 10 obese patients with breast cancer from breast surgery of Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University and the First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University to conduct semi-structured interviews during chemotherapy from March to May 2023. Colaizzi 7-step analysis method was used to sort out and analyze the data and extract the theme.Results:The average age of 10 overweight or obese breast cancer patients was 43.2 years. Three themes and eight subthemes were extracted, including insufficient motivation of body quality management (insufficient cognition, insufficient drive, insufficient motivation), disturbing experience of body quality management (uncertainty of disease, symptom distress during chemotherapy, inability to identify the correctness of information), regulation and support of body quality management (mastering correct methods of body quality regulation and support in all aspects).Conclusions:The motivation of body quality management in overweight or obese patients with breast cancer during chemotherapy is insufficient and there are many problems. Medical staff can take effective measures from clarifying the significance of body quality management, providing targeted information support, establishing a good social support system and providing effective body quality management guidance, so as to improve the effectiveness of body quality management in obese patients with breast cancer during chemotherapy.

Background::While type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is considered a putative causal risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD), the intrinsic link underlying T2DM and CAD is not fully understood. We aimed to highlight the importance of integrated care targeting both diseases by investigating the phenotypic and genetic relationships between T2DM and CAD.Methods::We evaluated phenotypic associations using data from the United Kingdom Biobank ( N = 472,050). We investigated genetic relationships by leveraging genomic data conducted in European ancestry for T2DM, with and without adjustment for body mass index (BMI) (T2DM: Ncase/ Ncontrol = 74,124/824,006; T2DM adjusted for BMI [T2DM adjBMI]: Ncase/ Ncontrol = 50,409/523,897) and for CAD ( Ncase/ Ncontrol = 181,522/984,168). We performed additional analyses using genomic data conducted in multiancestry individuals for T2DM ( Ncase/ Ncontrol = 180,834/1,159,055). Results::Observational analysis suggested a bidirectional relationship between T2DM and CAD (T2DM→CAD: hazard ratio [HR] = 2.12, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.01–2.24; CAD→T2DM: HR = 1.72, 95% CI: 1.63–1.81). A positive overall genetic correlation between T2DM and CAD was observed ( rg = 0.39, P = 1.43 × 10 -75), which was largely independent of BMI (T2DM adjBMI–CAD: rg = 0.31, P = 1.20 × 10 –36). This was corroborated by six local signals, among which 9p21.3 showed the strongest genetic correlation. Cross-trait meta-analysis replicated 101 previously reported loci and discovered six novel pleiotropic loci. Mendelian randomization analysis supported a bidirectional causal relationship (T2DM→CAD: odds ratio [OR] = 1.13, 95% CI: 1.11-1.16; CAD→T2DM: OR = 1.12, 95% CI: 1.07-1.18), which was confirmed in multiancestry individuals (T2DM→CAD: OR = 1.13, 95% CI: 1.10-1.16; CAD→T2DM: OR = 1.08, 95% CI: 1.04-1.13). This bidirectional relationship was significantly mediated by systolic blood pressure and intake of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors, with mediation proportions of 54.1% (95% CI: 24.9-83.4%) and 90.4% (95% CI: 29.3-151.5%), respectively. Conclusion::Our observational and genetic analyses demonstrated an intrinsic bidirectional relationship between T2DM and CAD and clarified the biological mechanisms underlying this relationship.

OBJECTIVE To clarify whether the thera-peutic effect of escitalopram on depression patients is cor-related with traditional Chinese medicine syndrome types,and to provide a basis for more accurate drug applica-tion.METHODS A total of 235 depression patients were recruited and classified according to traditional Chinese medicine syndrome differentiation into 5 types:liver and qi stagnation(45),liver stagnation and fire transformation(43),liver qi stagnation and spleen deficiency(79),heart and spleen deficiency(20),and liver and kidney deficiency(38).All patients were treated with escitalopram(10 mg·d-1)for eight weeks.The Montgomery Depression Rating Scale(MADRS)and the 17 Hamilton Depression Rating Scale(HAMD-17)were used to score before treatment and 2,4,and 8 weeks after treatment,respectively.RESULTS Compared with before treatment,the MADRS and HAMD-17 scores and remission rates of each syn-drome type significantly improved with increasing medica-tion duration.The MADRS score relief rate of liver and kidney deficiency type was the most significant(69.3%),significantly higher than the other four syndrome types(47.5%-52.6%,P<0.05);The remission rate of HAMD-17 score was significantly higher than that of heart and spleen deficiency(50.7%vs.28.5%,P＜0.05).The remis-sion rate of HAMD-17 score in liver and qi stagnation type(52.2%)was significantly higher than that in liver stagnation and spleen deficiency type(37.0%,P＜0.01)and heart spleen deficiency type(28.5%,P＜0.05).CON-CLUSION Escitalopram may have a more significant therapeutic effect on patients with liver and kidney defi-ciency and liver stagnation depression.This study pro-vides a new approach for the more effective and accu-rate application of traditional Chinese medicine syndrome differentiation in the selection of clinical antidepressants.

Objective: To evaluate the value of two oral mucosal contouring methods for predicting acute radiation-induced oral mucositis (A-ROM) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients. Methods: A total of 150 AJCC 7^th stage Ⅱ-IVB NPCs receiving radical tomotherapy (TOMO) in Zhejiang Cancer Hospital from 2017 to 2019 were included in this prospective observational study. Oral cavity contour (OCC) and mucosal surface contour (MSC) were applied to delineate the oral mucosal structure. A-ROM grade was prospectively assessed and recorded weekly according to RTOG scoring criteria. The prediction value of two methods for A-ROM was statistically compared. Results: The incidence rate of ≥3 grade A-ROM was 33.3%. In univariate analysis, V₅, V₁₀, V₁₅, V₄₅, V₅₀, V₅₅, V₆₀, V₆₅ and V₇₀ of OCC and V₅, V₁₀, V₅₀, V₅₅, V₆₀, V₆₅, V₇₀ and D_mean of MSC were significantly correlated with the risk of ≥3 grade A-ROM (all P<0.05). In binary logistic regression analysis, gender and smoking were significantly associated with the incidence of ≥3 grade A-ROM by using OCC (male vs. female: OR=0.141, 95%CI=0.037-0.538, P=0.004; smoking vs.non-smoking: OR=5.109, 95%CI=1.413-18.470, P=0.013). For MSC, gender, smoking, N stage and MSC- V₅₅ were the independent predictors (male vs. female: OR=0.129, 95%CI=0.032-0.519, P=0.004; smoking vs.non-smoking: OR=4.448, 95%CI=1.224-16.164, P=0.023; N stage: OR=2.291, 95%CI=1.268-4.137, P=0.006; MSC-V₅₅: OR=1.432, 95%CI=1.008-2.033, P=0.045). The cutoff value of MSC-V₅₅ was 7.70%, the area under ROC curve was 0.754, the sensitivity and specificity were 0.680 and 0.740, retrospectively (all P<0.001). Conclusions Compared with OCC, MSC yields a higher prediction accuracy for the severity of A-ROM in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients receiving TOMO treatment.

Objective    To systematically evaluate the efficacy of tubular stomach and whole stomach reconstruction in the treatment of esophageal cancer. Methods    We searched PubMed, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library, EMbase, CNKI, Wanfang Data, VIP and CBM databases to collect the randomized controlled trial (RCT) studies on the efficacy comparison between tubular stomach and total gastric reconstruction of esophagus in esophagectomy from their date of inception to May 2019. Then meta-analysis was performed by using RevMan 5.3 software. Results    A total of Twenty-nine RCTs were included, and 3 012 patients were involved. The results of meta-analysis showed that the postoperative complications such as anastomotic fistula [RR=0.64, 95%CI (0.50, 0.83), P=0.000 6], anastomotic stenosis [RR=0.65, 95%CI (0.50, 0.86), P=0.002], thoracic gastric syndrome [RR=0.19, 95%CI (0.13, 0.27), P<0.001], reflux esophagitis [RR=0.23, 95%CI (0.19, 0.30), P<0.001], gastric emptying disorder [RR=0.39, 95%CI (0.27, 0.57), P<0.001] and pulmonary infection [RR=0.44, 95%CI (0.31, 0.62), P<0.001] were significantly reduced, and the postoperative quality of life score and satisfaction were higher at 6 months and 1 year in the tubular stomach group (P<0.05). In terms of intraoperative blood loss and postoperative hospital stay, they were better in the tubular stomach group than those in the whole stomach group (P<0.05). However, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in operation time, postoperative gastrointestinal decompression time, postoperative closed drainage time, postoperative 1-year, 2-year and 3-year survival rate, postoperative quality of life score at 3 weeks and 3 months, and postoperative life satisfaction at 3 weeks. Conclusion    The tubular stomach is more advantageous than the whole stomach in the reconstruction of esophagus after esophagectomy.

Objective: To explore age-based clinical and immune parameters in Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) to determine clinically useful markers reflecting disease characteristic. Methods: A cohort of 502 patients with HSP were enrolled into this retrospective study to evaluate their clinical and immune data. Results: Majority HSP cases occurred at age ≤14 years and showed significant immune imbalances of ESR, CD3⁺ cells, CD4⁺ cells, CD3^-CD16⁺CD56⁺ cells, CD4⁺/CD8⁺ cells, IgG, IgA, IgM, IgE, complements C3/C4 and ASO in the acute phase. Compared to patients aged >14 years, symptoms of joint were more frequent at disease onset in patients aged ≤14 years (20.8% vs 7.6%, χ²=13.547, P<0.001) , and involvement of digestive tract and joint were also more frequent (57.4% vs 33.8%, χ²=24.106, P<0.001; 55.9% vs 32.5%, χ²=23.768, P<0.001, respectively) , but not for involvement of kidney (21.4% vs 51.3%, χ²=42.440, P<0.001) . The patients aged ≤14 years had distinct immune state, reductions of CD3⁺ cells, CD4⁺ cells and IgG were more frequent than patients aged >14 years, also increase of ASO (33.1% vs 20.0%, χ²=6.656, P=0.010) , but not increase of IgA (2.6% vs 39.4%, χ²=15.582, P<0.001) . In addition, reduction of IgG and increase of IgE were positively associated with digestive tract involvement (P<0.001, P=0.001, respectively) , reduction of CD3⁺CD4⁺ cells and normal IgM were positively associated with joint involvement (P=0.004, P=0.003, respectively) , increase of CD3⁺CD8⁺ cells and normal CD3⁺ cells were positively associated with kidney involvement (P=0.032, P=0.014, respectively) . Conclusion HSP showed significant immune imbalance in the acute phase, patients between aged ≤14 and >14 years had distinct clinical and immune characteristic, and abnormal immune parameters were significantly associated with organ involvements.

Objective: To investigate the feasibility and efficacy of the establishment of regional cooperative acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) rescue network among the prefectural-level city hospitals in China. Methods: Based on real-time remote electrocardiogram transmission and "120" emergency systems, we established a regional collaborative STEMI treatment network with our hospital as the network unclears including 8 second-class affiliated hospitals of Jiangsu University in 2013. STEMI treatment time, therapeutic effects and economic indexes were compared before (from January 2010 to December 2012, 180 cases, pre-network) and after (From January 2013 to December 2015, 374 cases, post-network) the establishment of the regional collaborative STEMI treatment network. Results: Post establishment of the rescue network, mean first medical contact (FMC) to balloon (FMC-to-B) time, referral time and obtaining informed consent time were all significantly decreased from (191±41), (94±18), (25±9) minutes to (93±19), (53±18), (7±5) minutes, respectively, in comparison with the pre-network era(all P<0.05). There was a trend of prolonged FMC-to-B time in proportion to aging of STEMI patients(trend P<0.05). Three months post discharge, LVEF was higher (55.3%±10.7% vs. 48.8%±12.1%, P<0.05) and LVEDd was lower ((49.1±10.8)mm vs.(51.8±9.2)mm, P<0.05) in the post-network group compared to pre-network group.In-hospital mortality was also significantly reduced post the establishment of the rescue network (2.14%(8/374) vs. 3.89%(7/180), P<0.05). The results also showed that the total costs (42 017(25 069, 75 148)yuan vs.51 030(28 137, 105 861)yuan), days of hospitalization ((9.1±4.5) days vs. (15.3±4.8)days) and percentage of medicine and consumables were all significantly decreased in the post-network group compared to pre-network group(all P<0.05). Conclusion Establishment of the regional cooperative rescue network is feasible among the prefectural-level city hospitals in China. Establishment of such network can improve the prognosis and decrease the FMC-to-B time, the rate of in-hospital mortality and financial burden of patients with STEMI, and serves as an effective strategy to improve the rescue ability for STEMI patients.

BACKGROUNDPrevious studies demonstrated that vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is an effective therapy for drug-resistant epilepsy. Acupuncture is also used to treat epilepsy. This study was designed to examine the safety and effectiveness of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (ta-VNS) for patients with drug-resistant epilepsy.

METHODSA total of 50 volunteer patients with drug-resistant epilepsy were selected for a random clinical trial to observe the therapeutic effect of ta-VNS. The seizure frequency, quality of life, and severity were assessed in weeks 8, 16, and 24 of the treatment according to the percentage of seizure frequency reduction.

RESULTSIn the pilot study, 47 of the 50 epilepsy patients completed the 24-week treatment; three dropped off. After 8-week treatment, six of the 47 patients (12%) were seizure free and 12 (24%) had a reduction in seizure frequency. In week 16 of the continuous treatment, six of the 47 patients (12%) were seizure free; 17 (34%) had a reduction in seizure frequency. After 24 weeks' treatment, eight patients (16%) were seizure free; 19 (38%) had reduced seizure frequency.

CONCLUSIONSimilar to the therapeutic effect of VNS, ta-VNS can suppress epileptic seizures and is a safe, effective, economical, and widely applicable treatment option for drug-resistant epilepsy. (ChiCTR-TRC-10001023).

Adolescent ; Adult ; Epilepsy ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation ; methods ; Treatment Outcome ; Vagus Nerve Stimulation ; methods ; Young Adult