ObjectiveTo investigate the differential expression of LEFTY1 in peritoneal dialysis （PD）-associated peritoneal fibrosis （PF） and its clinical value. MethodsLevels of LEFTY1， transforming growth factor-β （TGF-β）， and fibronectin （FN） in peritoneal dialysis effluent were measured in 72 PD patients， and clinical data were collected. Differences in these indicators were compared among groups with different dialysis durations， and the correlation between LEFTY1 and clinical parameters was analyzed to evaluate its predictive value for ultrafiltration insufficiency. ResultsLEFTY1 levels decreased progressively with longer dialysis duration： short-term group ［（2 262.49±270.47） ng/mL］ > mid-term group ［（1 853.52±226.06） ng/mL］ > long-term group ［（1 767.24±264.57） ng/mL］， with significant differences among groups （P<0.001）. TGF-β and FN levels increased with prolonged dialysis duration （P<0.05）. Correlation analysis revealed that LEFTY1 was significantly negatively correlated with FN （r=-0.327， P=0.004）， dialysis duration （r=-0.496，P<0.001）， peritoneal Kt/V （r=-0.333， P=0.004）， peritoneal creatinine clearance （r=-0.239， P=0.043）， and serum calcium （r=-0.410， P<0.001）， while positively correlated with total creatinine clearance （r=0.283， P=0.016）. The area under the ROC curve for LEFTY1 combined with peritoneal Kt/V and peritoneal Ccr in predicting ultrafiltration insufficiency was 0.739. Multivariate regression analysis identified dialysis duration as an independent influencing factor for LEFTY1 expression （P=0.001）. ConclusionThe expression of LEFTY1 in the peritoneal dialysis effluent of PD patients decreases with prolonged dialysis duration and is negatively correlated with pro-fibrotic indicators， suggesting that it may play a potential anti-fibrotic role in the progression of PF. The combined detection of LEFTY1 and solute removal indicators holds value for the early identification of ultrafiltration dysfunction.

Objective To investigate the knowledge,attitude,and behavior(Knowledge-Attitude/belief-Practice,KAP)of residents in Hezhou City regarding the safety risks of using traditional Chinese medicine(TCM).Methods A stratified cluster random sampling method was used to select residents from different areas of Hezhou City.A questionnaire based on the KAP model was designed for the survey.Descriptive analysis,univariate analysis,and multiple linear regression analysis were conducted to explore the factors influencing the KAP of TCM safety behavior.Results Among the 2 000 questionnaires distribu-ted,all were conducted online.Of these,98 were incomplete,resulting in a total of 1 902 valid responses,with a valid response rate of 95.10％.In the survey of 2 000 residents of Hezhou City,the average knowledge score was(54.34±2.50),the average behavior score was(64.32±2.44),and the average attitude score was(62.44±3.07).The differences in knowledge scores among residents with different places of residence,educational levels,medical insurance status,monthly incomes,and other de-mographic characteristics were statistically significant(P＜0.05).The differences in behavior scores among residents with differ-ent medical insurance status and occupations were statistically significant(P＜0.05).The differences in attitude scores among residents with different monthly incomes and medical insurance status were also statistically significant(P＜0.05).Results of multiple linear regression analysis indicated that place of residence,medical insurance(self-paid),educational level(junior high school and below),and monthly income(below 2 000 yuan,2 001-4 000 yuan)were influencing factors for the knowledge score on safe use of proprietary Chinese medicines(P＜0.05).Medical insurance(self-paid)and occupation(enterprise work-er,freelancer,student)were influencing factors for the behavioral risk score regarding safe use of proprietary Chinese medicines(P＜0.05).Medical insurance(self-paid)and monthly income(below 2 000 yuan)were influencing factors for the attitudinal risk score regarding safe use of proprietary Chinese medicines(P＜0.05).Conclusion The overall KAP level regarding the safety of using traditional Chinese medicine among residents in Hezhou City is relatively low,and medication safety is closely re-lated to place of residence,medical insurance,monthly income,occupation,etc.

Objective To investigate the correlation between G protein-coupled receptor family C group 6 member A(GPRC6A)gene polymorphisms and their expression and pulmonary infections in elderly patients with chronic heart failure(CHF).Methods 138 elderly CHF patients admitted to the Xianyang First People's Hospital from January 2021 to January 2024 were selected as the research subjects,and were divided into an infected group(n=42)and an uninfected group(n=96)based on their lung infection status.Polymerase chain reaction(PCR)was used to detect polymorphisms at the rs6901250 and rs1606365 loci of the GPRC6A gene.The allele and genotype frequency distributions of the infected and uninfected groups were compared.Logistic regression modeling was used to analyze the s6901250 and rs1606365 loci under three genetic models(co-dominant,dominant and reces-sive)and lung infections in elderly patients with CHF.Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR)method was used to detect the expression level of GPRC6A gene.The predictive value of the mRNA expression level of the GPRC6A gene for the development of pulmonary infections in elderly patients with CHF was analyzed by applying the receiver operator characteristic(ROC)curve.Results The distribution of genotypes at loci rs6901250 and rs1606365 of the GPRC6A gene in both the infected and uninfected groups of the lungs of elderly CHF patients conformed to the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium law(χ2=0.199～0.376,all P>0.05),which was representative of the population.Compared with the uninfected group,the frequency of allele A at locus rs6901250(57.14%vs 41.67%)was significantly higher in the infected group,Allele G(54.76%vs.37.50%)and genotype GG(14.06%vs 29.99%)frequencies were significantly higher at locus rs1606365,and the differences were statistically significant(χ2=5.628,7.114,6.849,all P<0.05).At locus rs6901250,in the co-dominant model(GG vs AA)and the dominant model(GA+AA vs GG),the elderly CHF patients with AA genotype the risk of lung infection was higher than that of GG genotype(OR=1.753,1.546,all P<0.05);.rs1606365 locus showed that the risk of lung infection was higher than that of CC genotype in el-derly CHF patients with GG genotype under all three genetic models of co-dominant model(CC vs GG),dominant model(CG+GG vs CC)and recessive model(CG+CC vs GG)(OR=1.833,1.741,0.695,all P<0.05).The mRNA expression level of GPR-C6A gene in the lung-infected group of elderly CHF patients(1.43±0.35)was significantly higher than that in the uninfected group(1.02±0.21),and the difference was statistically significant(t=8.515,P<0.001).The results of the ROC curve analysis showed that the GPRC6A gene expression level predicted lung infection in elderly CHF patients with an AUC value of 0.895,a cut-offvalue of 1.37,and sensitivity and specificity of 85.7%and 66.7%,respectively.Conclusion The AA genotype at the rs6901250 locus and the GG genotype at the rs1606365 locus of the GPRC6A gene increased the risk of developing lung infec-tions in elderly patients with CHF.MRNA expression levels of the GPRC6A gene were elevated in the infected group,and its ex-pression level could be used as a predictive indicator for the development of lung infections in elderly patients with CHF.

Objective To systematically evaluate the risk prediction model of anastomotic fistula after radical resection of esophageal cancer, and to provide objective basis for selecting a suitable model. Methods A comprehensive search was conducted on Chinese and English databases including CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, CBM, PubMed, EMbase, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library for relevant studies on the risk prediction model of anastomotic fistula after radical resection of esophageal cancer from inception to April 30, 2023. Two researchers independently screened literatures and extracted data information. PROBAST tool was used to assess the risk of bias and applicability of included literatures. Meta-analysis was performed on the predictive value of common predictors in the model with RevMan 5.3 software. Results A total of 18 studies were included, including 11 Chinese literatures and 7 English literatures. The area under the curve (AUC) of the prediction models ranged from 0.68 to 0.954, and the AUC of 10 models was >0.8, indicating that the prediction performance was good, but the risk of bias in the included studies was high, mainly in the field of research design and data analysis. The results of the meta-analysis on common predictors showed that age, history of hypertension, history of diabetes, C-reactive protein, history of preoperative chemotherapy, hypoproteinemia, peripheral vascular disease, pulmonary infection, and calcification of gastric omental vascular branches are effective predictors for the occurrence of anastomotic leakage after radical surgery for esophageal cancer (P<0.05). Conclusion The study on the risk prediction model of anastomotic fistula after radical resection of esophageal cancer is still in the development stage. Future studies can refer to the common predictors summarized by this study, and select appropriate methods to develop and verify the anastomotic fistula prediction model in combination with clinical practice, so as to provide targeted preventive measures for patients with high-risk anastomotic fistula as soon as possible.

Objective To investigate the knowledge,attitude,and behavior(Knowledge-Attitude/belief-Practice,KAP)of residents in Hezhou City regarding the safety risks of using traditional Chinese medicine(TCM).Methods A stratified cluster random sampling method was used to select residents from different areas of Hezhou City.A questionnaire based on the KAP model was designed for the survey.Descriptive analysis,univariate analysis,and multiple linear regression analysis were conducted to explore the factors influencing the KAP of TCM safety behavior.Results Among the 2 000 questionnaires distribu-ted,all were conducted online.Of these,98 were incomplete,resulting in a total of 1 902 valid responses,with a valid response rate of 95.10％.In the survey of 2 000 residents of Hezhou City,the average knowledge score was(54.34±2.50),the average behavior score was(64.32±2.44),and the average attitude score was(62.44±3.07).The differences in knowledge scores among residents with different places of residence,educational levels,medical insurance status,monthly incomes,and other de-mographic characteristics were statistically significant(P＜0.05).The differences in behavior scores among residents with differ-ent medical insurance status and occupations were statistically significant(P＜0.05).The differences in attitude scores among residents with different monthly incomes and medical insurance status were also statistically significant(P＜0.05).Results of multiple linear regression analysis indicated that place of residence,medical insurance(self-paid),educational level(junior high school and below),and monthly income(below 2 000 yuan,2 001-4 000 yuan)were influencing factors for the knowledge score on safe use of proprietary Chinese medicines(P＜0.05).Medical insurance(self-paid)and occupation(enterprise work-er,freelancer,student)were influencing factors for the behavioral risk score regarding safe use of proprietary Chinese medicines(P＜0.05).Medical insurance(self-paid)and monthly income(below 2 000 yuan)were influencing factors for the attitudinal risk score regarding safe use of proprietary Chinese medicines(P＜0.05).Conclusion The overall KAP level regarding the safety of using traditional Chinese medicine among residents in Hezhou City is relatively low,and medication safety is closely re-lated to place of residence,medical insurance,monthly income,occupation,etc.

Objective To investigate the correlation between G protein-coupled receptor family C group 6 member A(GPRC6A)gene polymorphisms and their expression and pulmonary infections in elderly patients with chronic heart failure(CHF).Methods 138 elderly CHF patients admitted to the Xianyang First People's Hospital from January 2021 to January 2024 were selected as the research subjects,and were divided into an infected group(n=42)and an uninfected group(n=96)based on their lung infection status.Polymerase chain reaction(PCR)was used to detect polymorphisms at the rs6901250 and rs1606365 loci of the GPRC6A gene.The allele and genotype frequency distributions of the infected and uninfected groups were compared.Logistic regression modeling was used to analyze the s6901250 and rs1606365 loci under three genetic models(co-dominant,dominant and reces-sive)and lung infections in elderly patients with CHF.Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR)method was used to detect the expression level of GPRC6A gene.The predictive value of the mRNA expression level of the GPRC6A gene for the development of pulmonary infections in elderly patients with CHF was analyzed by applying the receiver operator characteristic(ROC)curve.Results The distribution of genotypes at loci rs6901250 and rs1606365 of the GPRC6A gene in both the infected and uninfected groups of the lungs of elderly CHF patients conformed to the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium law(χ2=0.199～0.376,all P>0.05),which was representative of the population.Compared with the uninfected group,the frequency of allele A at locus rs6901250(57.14%vs 41.67%)was significantly higher in the infected group,Allele G(54.76%vs.37.50%)and genotype GG(14.06%vs 29.99%)frequencies were significantly higher at locus rs1606365,and the differences were statistically significant(χ2=5.628,7.114,6.849,all P<0.05).At locus rs6901250,in the co-dominant model(GG vs AA)and the dominant model(GA+AA vs GG),the elderly CHF patients with AA genotype the risk of lung infection was higher than that of GG genotype(OR=1.753,1.546,all P<0.05);.rs1606365 locus showed that the risk of lung infection was higher than that of CC genotype in el-derly CHF patients with GG genotype under all three genetic models of co-dominant model(CC vs GG),dominant model(CG+GG vs CC)and recessive model(CG+CC vs GG)(OR=1.833,1.741,0.695,all P<0.05).The mRNA expression level of GPR-C6A gene in the lung-infected group of elderly CHF patients(1.43±0.35)was significantly higher than that in the uninfected group(1.02±0.21),and the difference was statistically significant(t=8.515,P<0.001).The results of the ROC curve analysis showed that the GPRC6A gene expression level predicted lung infection in elderly CHF patients with an AUC value of 0.895,a cut-offvalue of 1.37,and sensitivity and specificity of 85.7%and 66.7%,respectively.Conclusion The AA genotype at the rs6901250 locus and the GG genotype at the rs1606365 locus of the GPRC6A gene increased the risk of developing lung infec-tions in elderly patients with CHF.MRNA expression levels of the GPRC6A gene were elevated in the infected group,and its ex-pression level could be used as a predictive indicator for the development of lung infections in elderly patients with CHF.

Objective:To investigate the values of ultrasound elasticity(UE)imaging and color Doppler flow energy(CDFI)in differential diagnosis for triple negative breast cancer(TNBC)and fibroadenoma.Methods:A total of 50 TNBC patients who admitted to People's Hospital of Wanning from January 2021 to January 2022 and were confirmed by surgical pathology were selected,and they were divided into TNBC group.On the other hand,a total of 50 patients with fibroadenoma who were confirmed by surgical pathology during the same period were selected and they were divided into fibroadenoma group.All patients did not undergo any clinical intervention before ultrasound examination.UE and CDFI were used respectively to evaluate the degrees of softness and hardness of the tissues,the color blood flow and elasticity scores of lesions.The pathological result was used as the gold standard to analyze respectively the diagnostic efficacies of UE and CDFI for TNBC and fibroadenoma.Results:According to the characteristics of ultrasound imaging,the TNBC group mostly showed burr sign on lesion edge,the attenuation and hyperechoic halo of posterior echo,and existing axillary lymph node metastasis.The fibroadenoma group mostly showed clear boundaries of lesion area,regular lesion morphology,non-microcalcification.The diagnostic sensitivity,specificity and accuracy of UE detection were respectively 90.91%,82.14%and 86.00%,while these indicators of CDFI were respectively 73.08%,75.00%and 74.00%.In addition,the sensitivity,specificity and accuracy of the combined detection of them were respectively 94.23%,95.83%and 96.00%.The detection efficiency of the combined detection was higher than that of each single detection.Conclusion:UE has higher sensitivity in the differential diagnosis of TNBC and fibroadenoma,but it's specificity is not high.The combined detection of UE and CDFI can improve the specificity and accuracy of differential diagnosis.

Objective:To explore the rapid evaluation of the early pathogen of severe Chlamydophila psittaci pneumonia by bedside diagnostic bronchoscopy, so as to start effective anti-infection treatment before the results of macrogenome next generation sequencing (mNGS) test. Methods:The clinical data of three patients with severe Chlamydophila psittaci pneumonia who were successfully treated in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, the First People's Hospital of Aksu District, and the First Division Hospital of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps from October 2020 to June 2021 were retrospectively analyzed, including the rapid assessment of early pathogens by bedside diagnostic bronchoscopy and the use of antibiotics to start anti-infection treatment. These patients were successfully treated. Results:The three patients were male, aged 63, 45 and 58 years old, respectively. Before the onset of the penumonia, they had a clear medical history of bird exposure. The clinical manifestations mainly included fever, dry cough, shortness of breath and dyspnea. One case had abdominal pain and lethargy. The results of laboratory examination indicated that the peripheral blood white blood cell count (WBC) of two patients were high [(10.2-11.9)×10 9/L], the percentage of neutrophils increased (85.2%-94.6%) and the percentage of lymphocytes decreased (3.2%-7.7%) in all 3 patients after admission to hospital and entering into intensive care unit (ICU). The procalcitonin (PCT) of 3 patients increased after admission, and still increased when entering ICU (0.3-4.8 ng/L), so did C-reactive protein (CRP, 58.0-162.0 mg/L) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR, 36.0-90.0 mm/1 h). After admission, serum alanine transaminase (ALT) increased in 2 cases (136.7 U/L, 220.5 U/L), so did aspartate transaminase (AST) in 2 cases (249.6 U/L, 164.2 U/L). ALT (162.2-267.9 U/L) and AST (189.8-223.2 U/L) increased in 3 patients when they entered ICU. The level of serum creatinine (SCr) of 3 patients were normal after admission and entering ICU. The chest computed tomography (CT) findings of 3 patients were acute interstitial pneumonia, bronchopneumonia and lung consolidation, of which 2 cases were accompanied by a small amount of pleural effusion, and 1 case was accompanied by more regular small air sacs. Multiple lung lobes were involved, but mainly one lung lobe. The oxygenation index (PaO 2/FiO 2) of the 3 patients admitting to ICU were 100.0, 57.5 and 105.4 mmHg (1 mmHg ≈ 0.133 kPa), respectively, which met with the diagnostic criteria of moderate and severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). All three patients received endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation. Under the bedside bronchoscope, the bronchial mucosa of 3 patients were obviously congested and edematous, without purulent secretion, and there was 1 case with mucosal hemorrhage. Three patients underwent bedside diagnostic bronchoscopy, and the evaluation result of the pathogen was that it might be atypical pathogen infection, so they were given moxifloxacin, cisromet and doxycycline intravenously, respectively, and combined with carbapenem antibiotics intravenously. After 3 days, the detection results of mNGS in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) showed that only Chlamydia psittaci was infected. At this time, the condition was significantly improved, and PaO 2/FiO 2 was significantly increased. Therefore, the antibiotic treatment scheme remained unchanged, and mNGS only served to verify the initial diagnosis. Two patients were extubated on the 7th and 12th day of admission to the ICU, respectively, while one patient was extubated on the 16th day of admission to the ICU due to nosocomial infection. All 3 patients were transferred to the respiratory ward after the condition was stable. Conclusion:The bedside diagnostic bronchoscopy based on clinical characteristics is conducive to not only the rapid assessment of the early pathogens of severe Chlamydia psittaci pneumonia, but also effective anti-infection treatment before the returning of mNGS test results, which can make up for the lag and uncertainty of the mNGS test results.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the diagnostic yield of bronchoscopic rapid on-site evaluation (B-ROSE) in patients with severe invasive bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (IBPA) and provide evidence for starting antifungal treatment before microbiological results were available. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted to select patients with severe pneumonia suspected of IBPA admitted to the respiratory intensive care unit (RICU) in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from June 2014 to June 2022, and those who were primarily infected with other pathogens (such as bacteria, Mycobacterium tuberculosis) at admission were excluded. Whether the antifungal treatment was initiated or not on the basis of the bedside B-ROSE, the B-ROSE was administered as soon as possible within 24 hours after admission to RICU. The current international definition of invasive aspergillosis was used as the gold diagnostic standard, the diagnostic accordance rate, the sensitivity and specificity of B-ROSE were calculated respectively, and the receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC curve) was also plotted, to evaluate the predictive value in diagnosing IBPA. RESULTS: A total of 176 patients with severe pneumonia suspected of IBPA were included in the study. According to international diagnostic standards, there were 81 cases of IBPA and 95 cases of non-IBPA. According to the early diagnosis of B-ROSE, there were 89 cases of IBPA and 87 cases of non-IBPA. The diagnostic accordance rate of B-ROSE was 84.09% (148/176), the area under the ROC curve for B-ROSE in diagnosing severe IBPA was 0.844, the 95% confidence interval (95%CI) was 0.782-0.905, the sensitivity was 87.65%, the specificity was 81.05%, the positive predictive value was 79.78%, the negative predictive value was 88.51%, the rate of underdiagnosis was 12.35% (10/81), and the rate of misdiagnosis was 18.95% (18/95). Compared with the true negative group, the proportion of long-term (≥ 14 days) use of glucocorticoid [70.0% (7/10) vs. 9.1% (7/77), P < 0.01] and the proportion of cases with diabetes [40.0% (4/10) vs. 10.4% (8/77), P < 0.05] were significantly higher in the false negative group (underdiagnosis group). However, B-ROSE of both groups showed mucosal bleeding, congestion and edema [100.0% (10/10) vs. 94.8% (73/77), P > 0.05], indicating that acute mucosal inflammation was non-characteristic. Compared with the true positive group, the proportion of long-term (≥ 14 days) use of glucocorticoid in the false positive group (misdiagnosis group) was significantly reduced [33.3% (6/18) vs. 60.6% (43/71), P < 0.05]. The B-ROSE results showed the proportion of cases with mucosal white spots, black plaques and pseudomembrane was significantly reduced [16.7% (3/18) vs. 52.1% (37/71), P < 0.01] in the misdiagnosed group, which suggest that cases of long-term use of glucocorticoid and cases with B-ROSE showing mucosal white spots, black plaques and pseudomembrane were less likely to be misdiagnosed. The main diseases that were easily misdiagnosed as IBPA included pulmonary tuberculosis (38.9%, 7/18), inflammatory lung adenocarcinoma (27.8%, 5/18) and pulmonary vasculitis (16.7%, 3/18). CONCLUSIONS Before obtaining microbiological evidence, B-ROSE can assist in decision-making of early anti-aspergillus treatment for severe IBPA. This method is prompt, simple, and has high accuracy and reliability. If B-ROSE lacks characteristic manifestations, especially for severe pneumonia in patients with long-term use of glucocorticoid or diabetes, attention should be paid to the underdiagnosis of IBPA. Diseases such as lung tuberculosis, inflammatory lung adenocarcinoma and lung vasculitis should be vigilant against misdiagnosis as IBPA.
Humans ; Prospective Studies ; Antifungal Agents ; Glucocorticoids ; Rapid On-site Evaluation ; Reproducibility of Results ; Pulmonary Aspergillosis ; Pneumonia ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Adenocarcinoma of Lung ; Vasculitis ; Retrospective Studies

Objective:To explore the value of MRI signs in assessing the presence or absence of hernia sacs in fetuses with congenital diaphragm hernia.Methods:MRI images of 57 patients with congenital diaphragm hernia confirmed by postpartum surgery were analyzed from November 2016 to December 2020 in Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, with a gestational age of 20－40 (28±5) weeks. In postpartum surgery, 18 cases were found with hernia sacs (hernia sac group) and 39 cases without hernia sacs (hernia-free group). Seven MRI signs were analyzed, including hernia peripheral enveloping sensation, smooth lung-hernia interface, crescent-shaped lung compression, residual lung tissue on the affected side, heart displacement, effusion above the lung-hernia interface and effusion below the lung-hernia interface. The differences in MRI signs between the hernia sac and hernia-free groups were compared using the χ 2 test or Fisher′s exact probability method. The diagnostic efficacy of each sign was calculated. The MRI signs with statistical differences between the two groups were included in the predictive integration model, and 1 point was scored for each sign, the imaging score of each fetus was calculated, and the efficacy of imaging points in diagnosing the presence or absence of hernia sacs was assessed by the subject manipulation receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve. Results:There were statistically significant differences in 5 MRI signs between the hernia sac and the hernia-free groups, namely hernia peripheral enveloping sensation (χ2=25.74, P<0.001), smooth lung-hernia interface (χ2=48.20, P<0.001), crescent-shaped lung compression (χ2=57.00, P<0.001), residual lung tissue on the affected side (χ2=12.14, P<0.001) and effusion above the lung-hernia interface (χ2=4.31, P=0.022). Among them, the sign of crescent-shaped lung compression had the highest diagnostic efficacy, and the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy all were 100%. Five statistically significant MRI signs were included in the predictive integration model, and the area under the ROC curve was 0.999, the sensitivity was 100%, the specificity was 94.9%, and the optimal threshold was 2 points. Conclusion:Fetal MRI signs and predictive integration model can effectively identify the presence or absence of hernia sacs in fetuses with congenital diaphragm hernia, which has certain clinical significance.