Objective To analyze epidemiological characteristics and influencing factors of atrial fibrillation (AF) in Suqian in 2019-2023. Methods A total of 1 869 patients with AF admitted to medical institutions in Suqian from January 2019 to December 2023 were selected as the survey subjects. The diagnosis and treatment data of the AF patients were retrospectively analyzed to explore epidemiological characteristics. A total of 2 000 healthy controls during the same period were selected as the control group. The influencing factors of AF were analyzed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression models. Results The incidence of AF in Suqian increased with the increase of year, age and labor intensity. The incidence rate was higher (>50%) in patients with male gender, old age, education level of junior high school and below, city living, heavy physical labor, smoking history, drinking history and underlying diseases (coronary heart disease, stroke, heart failure, hyperuricemia, hyperthyroidism, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and hyperlipidemia). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that hyperuricemia, hyperthyroidism, cognitive dysfunction and anxiety/depression were influencing factors of AF in Suqian (P<0.05). Conclusion From 2019 to 2023, AF risk is relatively high in patients in Suqian, which is closely related to hyperuricemia, hyperthyroidism, cognitive dysfunction and anxiety/depression.

Acupuncture is an ancient treatment method used in traditional Chinese medicine and has been popularized worldwide. Over the past decade, there has been an increase in the amount of acupuncture research, mostly comprised of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that aimed to answer the question on the efficacy of acupuncture. However, poor methodology and low replicability in these acupuncture RCTs have resulted in uncertainty about the efficacy of acupuncture. In this review, current advancements and challenges in acupuncture RCTs, regarding the methodological aspects of randomization, blinding, sham acupuncture and quality of reporting, were discussed. While there have been advancements in various aspects, current acupuncture RCTs still face pressing issues such as inadequate randomization and blinding, unviable sham acupuncture controls, and poor reporting quality. Given these limitations, this review seeks to identify the methodological problems that are responsible for these problems and to suggest solutions that could help to overcome them so as to improve the quality of future studies evaluating the efficacy of acupuncture. Please cite this article as: Seetoh WS, Lim RQR, Xu RB, Sun MX, Zhang P, Wang MN. Advancements and challenges of acupuncture randomized controlled trials. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(4): 333-343.
Acupuncture Therapy ; Humans ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic/methods* ; Research Design

Objective To investigate the external radiation doses and occupational health examination data of radiation workers in medical institutions in Zhangjiagang City, China, explore the effects of long-term exposure to low-dose ionizing radiation on their health, and provide a reference for occupational health monitoring. Methods The radiation workers of medical institutions in Zhangjiagang City were selected as the research subjects. Their personal radiation doses and occupational health examination data were collected. A scale was used for mental health survey. The data were analyzed according to different clinical characteristic groups. Results During the 5-year period from 2019 to 2023, the average annual radiation dose received by radiation workers in medical institutions in Zhangjiagang City was 0.21 mSv/year. There were significant differences in the average annual radiation dose across these years and radiation workers with different occupations. The results of occupational health examinations showed significant difference in the total abnormal detection rate among these years (P < 0.01). There were significant differences in the abnormal rates of blood pressure, blood routine, and electrocardiogram across these years (P < 0.05). There were significant differences in the abnormal rate of routine blood test in radiation workers with different sexes, years of service, and radiation occupations (P < 0.01). There were significant differences in the abnormal rate of blood pressure in radiation workers with different sexes, ages, and years of service (P < 0.01). The mental health survey showed significant differences between the radiation and the non-radiation groups in terms of occupational stress, anxiety score, and depression score (P < 0.05). Conclusion Long-term low-dose ionizing radiation may have adverse effects on the physical and mental health of radiation workers, and it is necessary to strengthen the occupational health examination and radiation protection of radiation workers.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of double S-shaped elastic stable intramedullary nailing in the treatment of paediatric fractures of the distal tibia diaphyseal metaphyseal junction.Methods:From January 2018 to January 2022, a total of 25 children with fracture of the distal tibia diaphyseal metaphyseal junction were treated at Department of Pediatric Orthopedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University. All of them were treated with closed reduction and double S-shaped elastic stable intramedullary nailing. There were 16 males and 9 females with an average age of (10.4±3.3) years, and 14 left sides and 11 right sides. The operation time, imaging results and complications were recorded after operation. At the last follow-up, the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) scoring was used to evaluate the efficacy.Results:Closed reduction succeeded in all patients. The operation time was (55.6±23.7) min. Follow-up lasted (20.5±4.7) months for this cohort. Bony union was achieved in all patients after (11.5±2.7) weeks. No postoperative complications occurred in the patients, like infection, loss of reduction, disparity in length of lower limbs, delayed union or non-union. The AOFAS scoring at the last follow-up yielded 23 excellent and 2 good cases, and an excellent and good rate of 100% (25/25).Conclusion:In the treatment of paediatric fractures of the distal tibia diaphyseal metaphyseal junction, double S-shaped elastic stable intramedullary nailing is a safe, effective and feasible option.

Objective Tissue uptake and distribution of nano-/microplastics was studied at a single high dose by gavage in vivo.Methods Fluorescent microspheres (100 nm, 3 μm, and 10 μm) were given once at a dose of 200 mg/(kg·body weight). The fluorescence intensity (FI) in observed organs was measured using the IVIS Spectrum at 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 h after administration. Histopathology was performed to corroborate these findings.Results In the 100 nm group, the FI of the stomach and small intestine were highest at 0.5 h, and the FI of the large intestine, excrement, lung, kidney, liver, and skeletal muscles were highest at 4 h compared with the control group (P < 0.05). In the 3 μm group, the FI only increased in the lung at 2 h (P < 0.05). In the 10 μm group, the FI increased in the large intestine and excrement at 2 h, and in the kidney at 4 h (P < 0.05). The presence of nano-/microplastics in tissues was further verified by histopathology. The peak time of nanoplastic absorption in blood was confirmed.Conclusion Nanoplastics translocated rapidly to observed organs/tissues through blood circulation;however, only small amounts of MPs could penetrate the organs.

Objective To investigate the incidence rate,clinical characteristics,and prognosis of neonatal stroke in Shenzhen,China.Methods Led by Shenzhen Children's Hospital,the Shenzhen Neonatal Data Collaboration Network organized 21 institutions to collect 36 cases of neonatal stroke from January 2020 to December 2022.The incidence,clinical characteristics,treatment,and prognosis of neonatal stroke in Shenzhen were analyzed.Results The incidence rate of neonatal stroke in 21 hospitals from 2020 to 2022 was 1/15 137,1/6 060,and 1/7 704,respectively.Ischemic stroke accounted for 75％(27/36);boys accounted for 64％(23/36).Among the 36 neonates,31(86％)had disease onset within 3 days after birth,and 19(53％)had convulsion as the initial presentation.Cerebral MRI showed that 22 neonates(61％)had left cerebral infarction and 13(36％)had basal ganglia infarction.Magnetic resonance angiography was performed for 12 neonates,among whom 9(75％)had involvement of the middle cerebral artery.Electroencephalography was performed for 29 neonates,with sharp waves in 21 neonates(72％)and seizures in 10 neonates(34％).Symptomatic/supportive treatment varied across different hospitals.Neonatal Behavioral Neurological Assessment was performed for 12 neonates(33％,12/36),with a mean score of(32±4)points.The prognosis of 27 neonates was followed up to around 12 months of age,with 44％(12/27)of the neonates having a good prognosis.Conclusions Ischemic stroke is the main type of neonatal stroke,often with convulsions as the initial presentation,involvement of the middle cerebral artery,sharp waves on electroencephalography,and a relatively low neurodevelopment score.Symptomatic/supportive treatment is the main treatment method,and some neonates tend to have a poor prognosis.

As a recognized rare and highly fatal disease, hereditary angioedema (HAE) is difficult to diagnose and characterized by recurrent edema involving the head, limbs, genitals and larynx, etc. Diagnosis of HAE is not difficult. However, low incidence and lack of clinical characteristics lead to difficulty of doctors on timely diagnosis and correct intervention for HAE patients. Therefore, it is crucial to improve the awareness of this disease and prevent its recurrence. for HAE patients. In view of absent cognition of doctors and the general public on HAE, patients often suffer from sudden death or become disabled due to laryngeal edema which cannot be treated in time. Thus, based on the Internet mobile terminal platform, the team set up an all-day rapid emergency response system which is provided for HAE patients by setting up "one-click help". The aim is to offer optimization on overall management of HAE and designed the intelligent follow-up management to provide timely assistance and specialized suggestion for patients with acute attacks.
Humans ; Angioedemas, Hereditary/drug therapy*

Allergic diseases affect about 40% of the world's population. Environmental factors are important in the occurrence and development of allergic diseases. Dust mites are one of the most important allergens in the indoor environment. The World Health Organization proposes the "four-in-one, combination of prevention and treatment" treatment principle for allergic diseases, in which environmental control to avoid or reduce allergens is the first choice for treatment. Modern people spend much more time at home (including sleeping) than outdoors, and the control of the home environment is particularly critical. This practice introduces the hypoallergenic home visit program, which including home environment assessment, environmental and behavioral intervention guidance, and common household hypoallergenic supplies and service guidance for the patient's home environment. The real-time semi-quantitative testing of dust mite allergens, qualitative assessments of other indoor allergens, record of patients' household items and lifestyle, and precise, individualized patient prevention and control education will be conducted. The hypoallergenic home visit program improves the doctors' diagnosis and treatment data dimension, and becomes a patient management tool for doctors outside the hospital. It also helps patients continue to scientifically avoid allergens and irritants in the environment, effectively build a hypoallergenic home environment, reduce exposure to allergens in the home environment, and achieve the goal of combining the prevention and treatment of allergic diseases.
Humans ; Hospitals ; Life Style ; Sleep

Humans ; Plasma Cells/pathology* ; Hyperplasia/pathology* ; Immunoblastic Lymphadenopathy ; B-Lymphocytes/pathology* ; Lymphoma, T-Cell

Objective:To investigate the treatment strategy for pediatric humeral supracondylar fractures with callus formation and displacement neglected for over 1 week.Methods:A retrospective analysis was made of the clinical data of 36 children who had been treated at Department of Pediatric Orthopaedics, Medical Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Inner Mongolia Medical University from January 2011 to January 2021 for humeral supracondylar fractures with callus formation and displacement neglected for over 1 week. There were 22 boys and 14 girls, with an age of (6.7±2.7) years (from 2.3 to 12.8 years). All fractures were Gartland type Ⅲ. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to their treatment methods: a closed reduction and percutaneous pinning (CRPP) group of 15 patients subjected to the CRPP treatment only, and a leverage group of 21 patients subjected to CRPP assisted by the "lever technique" with posterior elbow Kirschner wire prying and pulling. The 2 groups were compared in terms of operation time, fluoroscopy frequency, quality of reduction, and recovery time for elbow range of motion; the elbow range of motion, visual analogue scale (VAS), Mayo elbow performance score (MEPS) and complications were assessed at the last follow-up.Results:The 2 groups were comparable because there was no significant difference between them in the general information before operation ( P>0.05). All patients were followed up for (26.2±16.3) months (from 6 to 96 months). All the fractures obtained acceptable reduction and clinical union 4 to 6 weeks after operation. The operation time [(28.2±6.8) min] and fluoroscopy frequency [(27.0±6.0) times] in the leverage group were significantly less than those in the CRPP group [(40.8±10.8) min and (43.3±11.4) times] ( P<0.05). The CRPP group was significantly better than the leverage group in the intraoperative Baumann angle (78.1°±1.6° versus 73.7°±4.1°), lateral capitellohumeral angle (58.3°±2.6° versus 49.6°±5.2°) and horizontal rotation rate (109.5%±3.0% versus 103.2%±4.9%) ( P<0.05). The intraoperative reduction in the CRPP group was significantly closer to the normal mean value than that in the leverage group ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the recovery time for elbow range of motion between the CRPP and the leverage groups ( P>0.05). At the last follow-up, the Baumann angle (75.4°±2.8°) and the lateral capitellohumeral angle (53.2°±3.6°) in the leverage group were still significantly better than those in the CRPP group (78.3°±1.5° and 57.5°±2.3°) ( P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the elbow range of motion, VAS, MEPS or incidence of complications between the 2 groups ( P>0.05). Conclusion:To treat humeral supracondylar fractures with callus formation and displacement neglected for over 1 week in children, CRPP assisted by the "lever technique" with posterior elbow Kirschner wire prying and pulling is an efficient and accurate method, because it can lead to more satisfactory reduction than CRPP only.