Objective To summarize the clinical features and treatment strategies of acute mercury poisoning caused by intramuscular injection of metallic mercury. Methods The clinical data of a patient with acute mercury poisoning following intramuscular injection of metallic mercury were collected, and a retrospective analysis of the diagnosis and treatment process was conducted. Results The patient was a 14-year-old boy who self-injected 20 g of metallic mercury into the left upper arm muscle. Clinical manifestations included fever, chest tightness, cough, and a painful mass at the injection site. Laboratory tests of the patient indicated that blood mercury level was 4.160 μmol/L, urinary mercury level was 6 545.50 μg/g creatinine, urinary retinol-binding protein was 6 556 μg/L, urinary β₂-microglobulin was 8 726.48 μg/g creatinine, and urinary α1-microglobulin was 41.60 mg/L at day 11 after injection. Thoracoabdominal imaging revealed mercury deposition in the lungs, heart, liver, kidneys, and other organs. The patient's clinical symptoms were markedly relieved after one course of treatment with sodium dimercaptopropanesulfonate for mercury chelation. Subsequent treatment included continued mercury chelation therapy, debridement of muscle tissue at the injection site, removal of retained foreign bodies, and other supportive measures. Reexamination showed a blood mercury level of 2.810 μmol/L and urinary mercury level of 5 280 μg/L at day 127 after injection. Conclusion The clinical manifestations of intramuscular injection of metallic mercury poisoning differ from those of occupational mercury poisoning. Debridement of the injection site combined with sodium dimercaptopropanesulfonate chelation therapy can alleviate systemic symptoms and reduce mercury levels in such patients.

Gut microbial communities are likely remodeled in tandem with accumulated physiological decline during aging, yet there is limited understanding of gut microbiome variation in advanced age. Here, we performed a metagenomics-based enterotype analysis in a geographically homogeneous cohort of 367 enrolled Chinese individuals between the ages of 60 and 94 years, with the goal of characterizing the gut microbiome of elderly individuals and identifying factors linked to enterotype variations. In addition to two adult-like enterotypes dominated by Bacteroides (ET-Bacteroides) and Prevotella (ET-Prevotella), we identified a novel enterotype dominated by Escherichia (ET-Escherichia), whose prevalence increased in advanced age. Our data demonstrated that age explained more of the variance in the gut microbiome than previously identified factors such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) or diet. We characterized the distinct taxonomic and functional profiles of ET-Escherichia, and found the strongest cohesion and highest robustness of the microbial co-occurrence network in this enterotype, as well as the lowest species diversity. In addition, we carried out a series of correlation analyses and co-abundance network analyses, which showed that several factors were likely linked to the overabundance of Escherichia members, including advanced age, vegetable intake, and fruit intake. Overall, our data revealed an enterotype variation characterized by Escherichia enrichment in the elderly population. Considering the different age distribution of each enterotype, these findings provide new insights into the changes that occur in the gut microbiome with age and highlight the importance of microbiome-based stratification of elderly individuals.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Bacteroides ; China ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/microbiology* ; Escherichia coli/classification* ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/genetics* ; Metagenomics ; East Asian People

Objective:To compare the efficacy of posteromedial combined with lateral Frosch approach versus anterior medial and lateral dual incision approach in open reduction and internal fixation for Schatzker type VI tibial plateau fractures.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 41 patients with Schatzker type VI tibial plateau fractures, who were admitted to the 940th Hospital of the Joint Logistics Support Force of the PLA from January 2018 to May 2024, including 23 males and 18 females, aged 34-79 years [(50.7±7.7)years]. Twenty-three patients underwent open reduction and internal fixation via the posteromedial combined with lateral Frosch approach (posterior approach group), while 18 patients underwent the same procedure via the anterior medial and lateral dual incision approach (anterior approach group). The following parameters were compared between the two groups: operation duration, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage volume, depth of articular surface depression and tibial plateau width measured preoperatively, at 7 days, 3 months postoperatively, and at the last follow-up, medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA) and posterior proximal tibial angle (PPTA) measured at 7 days, 3 months postoperatively, and at the last follow-up, visual analogue scale (VAS) scores assessed preoperatively, at 7 days postoperatively, and at the last follow-up, American Knee Society (KSS) score and knee flexion range of motion assessed at 7 days, 3 months postoperatively, and at the last follow-up, fracture healing status at the last follow-up, and incidence of postoperative complications.Results:All the patients were followed up for 12-16 months [(14.3±2.1)months]. The operation duration was (119.6±11.8)minutes in the posterior approach group, which was significantly shorter than (140.3±10.6)minutes in the anterior approach group ( P<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in intraoperative blood loss or postoperative drainage volume between the two groups ( P>0.05). No significant differences were found in the preoperative depth of articular surface depression or tibial plateau width between the two groups ( P>0.05). At 7 days, 3 months postoperatively, and at the last follow-up, the depth of articular surface depression was 0.8(0.6, 1.0)mm, 0.6(0.5, 0.8)mm, and 0.6(0.5, 0.7)mm in the posterior approach group, which were significantly shorter than 1.1(0.9, 1.3)mm, 0.8(0.7, 1.0)mm, and 0.8(0.7, 1.0)mm in the anterior approach group ( P<0.05). The tibial plateau width at the same time points was 71.0(69.1, 73.5)mm, 70.5(69.2, 72.9)mm, and 70.5(69.3, 72.5)mm in the posterior approach group, which were significantly shorter than 73.0(72.3, 74.2)mm, 71.5(71.0, 73.0)mm, and 71.5(71.1, 72.6)mm in the anterior approach group ( P<0.05). At 7 days, 3 months postoperatively, and at the last follow-up, the MPTA values were (87.4±0.7)°, (87.7±0.6)°, and (87.9±0.5)° in the posterior approach group, which were significantly larger than (85.2±2.5)°, (86.0±2.2)°, and (86.3±2.0)° in the anterior approach group ( P<0.01). The PPTA values at the same time points were (9.5±0.7)°, (9.0±0.5)°, and (8.6±0.4)° in the posterior approach group, which were significantly smaller than (11.2±1.0)°, (10.3±0.8)°, and (9.8±0.7)° in the anterior approach group ( P<0.01). There was no significant difference in the preoperative VAS score between the two groups ( P>0.05). At 7 days postoperatively and at the last follow-up, the VAS scores were 4.0(3.0, 5.0)points and 0.5(0.0, 2.0)points in the posterior approach group, which were significantly lower than 5.0(4.0, 5.0)points and 1.0(1.0, 3.0)points in the anterior approach group ( P<0.05). At 7 days, 3 months postoperatively, and at the last follow-up, the KSS scores were 62.5(57.0, 67.5)points, 75.5(72.0, 82.5)points, and 87.0(82.5, 93.5)points in the posterior approach group, which were significantly higher than 61.5(54.5, 63.0)points, 74.0(68.0, 79.0)points, and 85.5(78.0, 88.5)points in the anterior approach group ( P<0.05). The knee flexion range of motion was 90.0(85.0, 95.0)°, 115.0(109.0, 122.0)°, and 126.0(120.0, 130.0)° in the posterior approach group, which were significantly greater than 80.5(75.2, 85.8)°, 110.0(104.0, 115.0)°, and 119.0(113.0, 122.0)° in the anterior approach group ( P<0.05). At the last follow-up, all the fractures were healed in both groups. No statistically significant difference was found in the incidence of postoperative complications between the two groups ( P>0.05). Conclusion:Compared to the anterior medial and lateral dual incision approach, the posteromedial combined with lateral Frosch approach demonstrates superior advantages in operation duration, reduction quality, pain relief, functional recovery in the treatment of Schatzker type VI tibial plateau fractures, while the incidence of complications is comparable.

Objective:This multicenter retrospective study aimed to analyze the clinicopathological features of duodenal adenocarcinoma (DA) and identify prognostic factors for postoperative survival.Methods:Demographic characteristics, clinicopathological features, treatment outcomes and survival of DA patients undergoing surgical treatment at 18 Chinese medical centers from January 2012 to December 2023 were retrospectively analyzed.Results:Among the 2 056 DA patients included, 46.8% (963) had extra-ampullary DA (EA-DA), and 53.2% (1 093) had peri-ampullary DA (PA-DA). The 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival (OS) rates for patients who underwent radical surgery were 93.2%, 71.0%, and 57.2%, respectively. The median overall survival was 76 months, and the median progression-free survival (PFS) was 65 months. No differences in survival were observed between the laparotomy group and minimally invasive surgery (MIS) group either before or after propensity score matching (OS: 76 vs. 75 months before PSM, P=0.986; OS: 75 vs. 75 months after PSM, P=0.602). Furthermore, there were no significant differences between-group in operation time and postoperative complications ( P＞0.05). The MIS group experienced less intraoperative blood loss and shorter hospital stays. The multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that advanced age ( HR=1.43,95% CI:1.18-1.73), elevated carbohydrate antigen 19-9 levels ( HR=1.24,95% CI:1.02-1.51), perineural invasion ( HR=1.44,95% CI:1.14-1.81), vascular invasion ( HR=1.35,95% CI:1.07-1.71), advanced T stage (T3-4 vs. T1-2: HR=1.86,95% CI:1.49-2.31), regional lymph node metastasis ( HR=1.93,95% CI:1.58-2.36), preoperative biliary drainage ( HR=1.26,95% CI:1.04-1.53), intraoperative blood loss ( HR=1.34,95% CI:1.11-1.62), clinically significant postoperative pancreatic fistulas ( HR=1.53,95% CI:1.12-2.09), and postoperative hemorrhage ( HR=1.62,95% CI:1.14-2.29) were independent risk factors for poor prognosis after surgery (all P＜0.05). Conclusions:Radical surgery is associated with favorable overall survival among DA patients, and no difference in survival is observed between EA-DA and PA-DA patients. MIS is a reliable alternative for DA treatment.

Objective: To investigate the influencing factors of overactive bladder (OAB) in college freshmen and the impacts of OAB on their mental health, quality of life and social interaction. Methods: An epidemiological questionnaire survey was conducted in an anonymous manner on the prevalence of OAB among 5300 freshmen aged 17 to 22 years enrolled in the 2023—2024 academic year in Xinxiang Medical University and Sanquan College of Xinxiang Medical University.The questionnaire included questions on basic information, history of urinary tract infection, constipation, smoking, history of alcohol consumption, history of coffee/strong tea drinking, history of carbonated beverage drinking, redundant prepuce, phimosis, holding urine, chronic insomnia, self-rating anxiety scale (SAS), quality of life score (QoL), and social avoidance and distress scale (SADS).The influencing factors of OAB were analyzed with multivariate logistic regression analysis.The subjects were grouped according to whether they had OAB, and the differences in SAS, QoL and SADS between the OAB group and non-OAB group were compared.The impacts of OAB on the anxiety level, quality of life, and social interaction were analyzed with multiple linear regression analysis. Results: The overall prevalence rate of OAB was 4.9% (244/5018).Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the history of urinary tract infection (OR=0.177), constipation (OR=0.636), smoking (OR=0.582), alcohol consumption (OR=0.685), coffee/strong tea drinking (OR=0.387), carbonated beverage drinking (OR=0.631), redundant prepuce (OR=0.673), phimosis (OR=0.311), urine holding (OR=0.593), and chronic insomnia (OR=0.256) were influencing factors for the occurrence of OAB (P＜0.05).The OAB group had higher SAS score [(41.18±6.54) vs. (38.61±6.36)], QoL score [(3.65±1.20) vs. (2.79±0.95)], social avoidance score [(6.25±1.86) vs. (5.86±1.51)], social distress score [(6.27±1.59) vs. (5.97±1.32)], and total SADS score [(12.51±2.35) vs. (11.84±2.01)] than the non-OAB group (P＜0.05).The results of multiple linear regression analysis showed that OAB could independently affect the scores of QoL, SAS, and SADS.The OAB group had higher scores of QoL, SAS, and SADS compared with the non-OAB group (P＜0.001). Conclusion: History of urinary tract infection, constipation, smoking, alcohol consumption, coffee/strong tea drinking, carbonated beverage drinking, redundant prepuce, phimosis, urine holding, and chronic insomnia are influencing factors for the occurrence of OAB in male college students.Moreover, OAB has negative impacts on their mental health, quality of life, and social interaction.

Objective To explore the neuroprotective effects of osteocalcin(OCN)on an Alzheimer's disease(AD)cell model and its potential mechanisms,providing a scientific basis for new therapeutic targets for AD.Methods Human neuroblastoma cell line SH-SY5Y was treated with 40 nmol/L okadaic acid(OA)for 24 h to establish an AD cell model.The cells were divided into a normal group(untreated SH-SY5Y cells),a model group(40 nmol/L OA intervention),and an OCN intervention group(intervention with various concentrations of OCN in the AD cell model),and AKT knockout/overexpression groups(AKT-KO group and AKT-OE group),and AKT-KO OCN group and AKT-OE OCN group.CCK-8 assay was used to detect the changes in cell viability.Wright's staining was employed to observe the morphological changes of AD cells.Western blotting was utilized to detect the protein levels of Tau,p-Tau,Bax,Bcl-2,Caspase-3 and their lytic types,as well as the expression of Tau,p-Tau,mTOR,AKT and p-AKT in each group after AKT knockout/overexpression.TUNEL staining and flow cytometry were applied to detect the changes in early and late apoptotic cells and the apoptotic rate in the OCN-treated AD cell model.Results ①Compared to the normal group,the model group exhibited a significant decrease in cell viability,noticeable morphological and structural damage,upregulation of p-Tau and Caspase-3,increased early and late apoptosis,and a significantly higher apoptotic rate(P<0.05).②After treatment of different concentrations of OCN for 24 h,cell viability was increased to varying degrees compared to the AD model group,with the 100 pg/mL OCN group showing a significant increase in cell viability(P<0.01)and marked improvement in cell number and morphology(P<0.01).③ Compared to the AD cell model group,the p-Tau/Tau ratio was decreased in all OCN treatment groups,particularly in the 100 pg/mL OCN intervention group,where the p-Tau/Tau ratio was significantly lower than that of the model group(P<0.01).④ Compared to the model group,a significant concentration-dependent decrease in the Cleaved Caspase-3/Caspase-3 ratio was observed when OCN concentrations ranged from 1 to 100 pg/mL,with a significant reduction in the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio in the 100 pg/mL group(P<0.000 1).⑤ The results of TUNEL staining and flow cytometry showed that,compared to the model group,all concentrations of OCN effectively inhibited the apoptosis in the AD model cells,with a significant reduction in early and late apoptotic cells and apoptotic rate in the 100 pg/mL OCN group.⑥ Compared with the control group and the model group,the P-AKT was significantly increased in the AKT-OE group after AKT overexpression(P<0.05).The expression level of AKT protein was decreased in the AKT-KO group after AKT knockout(P<0.05).When the AKT pathway was inhibited,the expression level of p-Tau was higher in the AKT-KO group than the control group(P<0.05),and when the AKT was overexpressed,the expression level was significantly inhibited(P<0.05).Conclusion OCN may inhibit cell apoptosis and reduce p-tau protein level by regulating the ratio of Caspase-3/Caspase-3 and Bax/Bcl-2,and thereby improve the morphology of AD model cells and effectively protect nerve cells,which may be related to the regulation of the AKT/mTOR pathway.

Objective:To analyze the feasibility and safety of laparoscopic transhepatic section biliary exploration without T-tube drainage in the treatment of intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile duct stones.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 200 patients with intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile duct stones who underwent surgical treatment in Ankang Central Hospital from January 2020 to December 2024, including 79 males and 121 females, with the average age of (64.1±6.1) years. Among the 200 patients, 100 underwent laparoscopic hepatectomy and stone removal through transhepatic section cholangiography and choledochoscopy and were included in the observation group. Another 100 patients underwent laparoscopic hepatectomy, common bile duct incision, choledochoscopic exploration and stone removal, and T-tube drainage and were included in the control group. The intraoperative blood loss, operation time, postoperative hospital stay, hospitalization cost, postoperative pain score, time to get out of bed and move around, recovery time of intestinal function, abdominal drainage time, total complication rate, recurrence of stones, biliary tract infection, etc. were compared between the two groups.Results:The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative hospital stay and hospitalization cost of the observation group (165.8±29.9 min, 158.9±23.7 ml, 8.8±1.8 d and 46, 037.8±312.6 yuan, respectively) were all lower than those of the control group (220.3±37.5 min, 232.5±36.7 ml, 12.5±2.5 d, and 57 006.2±528.5 yuan) and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). The postoperative pain score of the control group was (4.8±1.3) points, the postoperative time to get out of bed for activities was (1.6±0.5) d, the postoperative recovery time of intestinal function was (3.2±0.7) d, and the abdominal drainage time was (5.0±0.8) d. All were higher than those of the observation group (3.2±0.8) points, (0.8±0.2) d, (1.8±0.5) d, and (2.5±0.6) d, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). The total incidence of complications, recurrence of stones and infection rate of biliary tract in the observation group were 6.0%(6/100), 3.0%(3/100) and 2.0%(2/100) respectively, which were lower than those in the control group at 36.0%(36/100), 11.0%(11/100) and 9.0%(9/100). The differences were all statistically significant (all P<0.05). Conclusion:Laparoscopic transhepatic section biliary exploration without T-tube drainage for the treatment of intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile duct stones is feasible and safe.

Objective To investigate the characteristics of peripheral blood in the treatment of aplastic anemia(AA)with Bushen Shengxue Method and Yiqi Yangxue Method combined with Western medicine.Methods Totally 492 AA patients who were treated in 19 centers including Xiyuan Hospital China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences from September 2018 to March 2021 were selected,and were randomized into three groups:161 cases in the Bushen Shengxue group,164 cases in the Yiqi Yangxue group,and 167 cases in the control group.All three groups were orally administered cyclosporine and androgens.Bushen Shengxue group was given Bushen Shengxue Granules,Yiqi Yangxue group was given Yiqi Yangxue Granules,and the control group was given placebo(half dosage of Bushen Shengxue granules).The general data,overall efficacy,and peripheral blood at the 1st month,the 4th month,and 6th month after treatment were analyzed.Results The total effective rate of Bushen Shengxue group was 98.8％(159/161),which was significantly higher than that of Yiqi Yangxue group(79.9％)and the control group(61.7％),with statistical significance(P＜0.001);The total effective rate of Yiqi Yangxue group was significantly higher than that of the control group(P＜0.001).Compared with before treatment,the hemoglobin(HGB)levels of all three groups of patients significantly increased after treatment(P＜0.001,P＜0.01),and the platelet levels of Bushen Shengxue group and the control group significantly increased after treatment(P＜0.001);after treatment,the HGB levels in the three groups were ranked from high to low as the Bushen Shengxue group,Yiqi Yangxue group and the control group(P＜0.01).25％of patients had HGB levels exceeding 20％of baseline values,Bushen Shengxue group took 1 month,while Yiqi Yangxue group and control group took 4 months;25％of patients had an increase in HGB levels exceeding 50％of the baseline value,Bushen Shengxue group took 6 months,while Yiqi Yangxue group and control group took more than 6 months.At 6 months,the number of patients with HGB elevation exceeding 20％and 50％of baseline values in Bushen Shengxue group was higher than that in Yiqi Yangxue group and the control group(P＜0.05,P＜0.001).25％of patients had white blood cell elevation exceeding 50％of the baseline value,Bushen Shengxue group took 4 months,Yiqi Yangxue group took 6 months,and the control group took more than 6 months.25％of patients showed an increase in platelet levels exceeding 100％of the baseline value,Bushen Shengxue group took 4 months,while Yiqi Yangxue group and control group took 6 months;at 6 months,the number of patients in Bushen Shengxue group and Yiqi Yangxue group with platelet elevation exceeding 20％of the baseline value was significantly higher than that in the control group(P＜0.01,P＜0.05).Conclusion Bushen Shengxue method combined with Western medicine intreating AA is better than the method of Yiqi Yangxue method combined with Western medicine.In terms of improving HGB,it is reflected in shortening the recovery time and increasing the number of beneficiaries,and the dosage can affect the recovery time and the number of beneficiaries at the same time;in terms of improving white blood cell and platelet,it is reflected in shortening the recovery time,and the dosage can affect the recovery time.

Due to advances in treatment methods, the survival rate and quality of life of cancer patients have been improved. Radiation-induced vascular injury (RIVI) is a common adverse reaction following radiotherapy, mainly manifested as capillary injury and atherosclerosis in the irradiated area. Radiotherapy induces RIVI in the cerebral vessels, carotid arteries, coronary arteries, and large arteries through mechanisms such as endothelial cell injury and senescence, oxidative stress and inflammatory responses, angiogenesis, and vascular remodeling. In this review research progress in the pathological features, pathophysiological mechanisms, clinical manifestations, prevention and treatment strategies of RIVI was summarized, aiming to provide insights for future research on RIVI.

Radiation-induced rectal injury (RRI) refers to inflammatory intestinal complications of patients with pelvic cavity, abdominal cavity and retroperitoneal tumor during or after radiotherapy, presenting symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, anal distension, bloody stool, etc. In severe cases, rectovaginal fistula, intestinal obstruction, canceration can occur, adversely affecting the quality of life of patients. The clinical factors of RRI involve total radiotherapy dose, tumor volume, radiotherapy mode and patient-related risk factors. The diagnosis mainly depends on imaging examinations (such as CT, MRI and ultrasound), endoscopy and laboratory examination. The mechanism of RRI is related to intestinal epithelial cell destruction, stem cell injury, microvascular changes and microbial flora imbalance. At present, there is no gold standard for RRI treatment, and the main measures include surgical treatment, internal medicine treatment, hyperbaric oxygen therapy and fecal microbiota transplantation, etc. In this article, the latest progress in the pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of RRI was reviewed.