OBJECTIVE To investigate the current status of air quality in clean operating rooms in Xi'an and explore the possible influencing factors,thus to provide data support for improving the quality of operating room manage-ment.METHODS According to GB50333-2013"Architectural technical code for hospital clean operating depart-ment",on-site monitoring was conducted from 2017 to 2021 on the air quality of 242 clean operating rooms in 41 hospitals in Xi'an,and the results were compared and analyzed.RESULTS Among the operating rooms being sur-veyed,130 were from secondary hospitals,112 from tertiary hospitals;seventy-nine were ClassⅠoperating rooms,26 were ClassⅡ,137 were ClassⅢ.The pass rate for settling bacterial was 98.35%,with 94.94%for ClassⅠoperating rooms,which was significantly lower than that in ClassⅡand ClassⅢ operating rooms(χ2=6.565,P=0.022).The pass rate for dust particles was 69.01%,with 43.04%for ClassⅠoperating rooms,and there was significant difference among different levels of operating rooms(χ2=37.304,P<0.001).The pass rate for dust particles in tertiary hospitals was 61.61%,lower than that in secondary hospitals(75.38%;χ2=5.340,P=0.021).The pass rate for dust particles≥0.5μm and≥5μm were 85.12%and 74.79%,respectively.Among the operating rooms with unqualified dust particles,those with both≥0.5 μm and≥5 μm dust particles not meeting standards accounted for 29.33%,and those with only≥0.5 μm dust particles not meeting standards accounted for 18.67%.Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that influencing factors for air quality in clean operating rooms included the year of monitoring and the level of the operating room,while the sampling area and hospital level were not statistically associated with the outcomes.CONCLUSION The overall air quality of op-erating rooms in Xi'an is not optimistic,the pass rate is affected by the year of monitoring and the clean levels of the operating rooms,indicating a need to strengthen routine management and monitoring of clean operating rooms.

OBJECTIVE T o analyze the distribution and clinical characteristics of carbapenem-resistant organisms(CRO)in the intestinal and respiratory tracts of high-risk ICU patients,and to evaluate the effectiveness of two screening methods:plate screening and Gene Xpert Carba(hereinafter referred to as Xpert Carba).METHODS In-testinal samples(anal swabs,feces)and respiratory samples(sputum,lavage fluid)from 320 patients admitted to the ICU ward of the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from Apr.2023 to Dec.2024 were collected.Plate screening and Xpert Carba methods were used for active screening of CRO strains,and clinical data of patients were collected through electronic medical records.RESULTS The plate screening results indicated that 70 out of 573 samples from 320 patients tested positive for CRO,with a positive rate of 12.22％(70/573).The positive rates for anal swabs,feces,sputum and lavage fluid were 9.26％(20/216),10.39％(8/77),13.02％(22/169)and 18.02％(20/111),respectively.There was no statistically significant difference in the positive rates among different sample types.The predominant CRO-positive organisms detected were Klebsiella pneumoniae in intestinal samples and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in respiratory samples.Among 361 intestinal and respiratory samples tested from 88 patients,plate screening and Xpert Carba screening showed the positive rates of 14.40％(52/361)and 6.37％(23/361),respectively.Analysis of the clinical characteristics of the 31 CRO-posi-tive patients revealed that they were predominantly elderly(average age 69 years),with 51.61％(16/31)having a history of interdepartmental transfers and 48.39％(15/31)having surgerical history.The mechanical ventilation usage rate in the respiratory positive group(58.82％,10/17)was higher than that in the intestinal positive group(0,0/7)and the dual positive group(14.28％,1/7).Compared with Xpert Carba,plate screening had lower screening costs,higher positive rates across different sample types and a broader range of detected bacterial species.CONCLUSIONS The ICU ward is a high-prevalence area for CRO strains,with K.pneumoniae(from in-testinal samples)and P.aeruginosa(from respiratory samples)showing the highest isolation rates.Plate screen-ing boasts lower costs,higher detection rate and broader bacterial species coverage for active screening of CRO strains in the intestinal and respiratory tracts of high-risk ICU patients.

Objective : To investigate the mechanisms of bromodomain-containing protein 4(BRD4) in TGF-β1-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition in alveolar type II epithelial cells. Methods : MLE-12 cells were stimulated with different concentrations(5 ng/ml, 10 ng/ml) of TGF-β1 for 48 h to establish an EMT cell model. The cells were pretreated with 50 nmol/L BRD4 inhibitor JQ-1, 100 μmol/L high mobility group box 1 protein(HMGB1)inhibitor glycyrrhizin acid(GA), and 3 μg/ml rHMGB1. The experimental groups were divided as follows: control group, TGF-β1 group, JQ-1 group, JQ-1+TGF-β1 group, GA group, GA+TGF-β1 group, and JQ-1+TGF-β1+rHMGB1 group. The effect of JQ-1 on cell viability was examined using cell counting kit-8(CCK-8). The protein expression levels of CDH1, ZO-1, Vimentin, α-SMA, BRD4, HMGB1, TGF-β1, Smad2/3 and p-Smad2/3 were detected by Western blot. The cell migration ability was detected by a scratch test. Results : Compared with the control group, the levels of Vimentin and α-SMA in the TGF-β1 group increased, and the levels of CDH1 and ZO-1 protein decreased, suggesting that the EMT model was successfully established. In this model, the expression of BRD4 and HMGB1 significantly increased. Different concentrations of JQ-1 could inhibit the cell viability of MLE-12 in a concentration-dependent manner. Both JQ-1 and GA could effectively alleviate TGF-β1-induced EMT, and reduce the increase in HMGB1 expression and the activation of TGF-β1/Smad2/3 pathway caused by TGF-β1. Moreover, rHMGB1 treatment could reduce the effects of JQ-1 on EMT and the TGF-β1/Smad2/3 pathway. Additionally, both JQ-1 and glycyrrhizin could effectively decrease TGF-β1-induced cell migration, whereas rHMGB1 could alleviate the inhibitory effect of JQ-1 on the rate of cell migration. Conclusion BRD4 can regulate epithelial-mesenchymal transition in alveolar type II epithelial cells via HMGB1/TGF-β1/Smad2/3 signaling cascade, and BRD4 may be a potential target for inhibition of pulmonary fibrosis.

OBJECTIVE T o analyze the distribution and clinical characteristics of carbapenem-resistant organisms(CRO)in the intestinal and respiratory tracts of high-risk ICU patients,and to evaluate the effectiveness of two screening methods:plate screening and Gene Xpert Carba(hereinafter referred to as Xpert Carba).METHODS In-testinal samples(anal swabs,feces)and respiratory samples(sputum,lavage fluid)from 320 patients admitted to the ICU ward of the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from Apr.2023 to Dec.2024 were collected.Plate screening and Xpert Carba methods were used for active screening of CRO strains,and clinical data of patients were collected through electronic medical records.RESULTS The plate screening results indicated that 70 out of 573 samples from 320 patients tested positive for CRO,with a positive rate of 12.22％(70/573).The positive rates for anal swabs,feces,sputum and lavage fluid were 9.26％(20/216),10.39％(8/77),13.02％(22/169)and 18.02％(20/111),respectively.There was no statistically significant difference in the positive rates among different sample types.The predominant CRO-positive organisms detected were Klebsiella pneumoniae in intestinal samples and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in respiratory samples.Among 361 intestinal and respiratory samples tested from 88 patients,plate screening and Xpert Carba screening showed the positive rates of 14.40％(52/361)and 6.37％(23/361),respectively.Analysis of the clinical characteristics of the 31 CRO-posi-tive patients revealed that they were predominantly elderly(average age 69 years),with 51.61％(16/31)having a history of interdepartmental transfers and 48.39％(15/31)having surgerical history.The mechanical ventilation usage rate in the respiratory positive group(58.82％,10/17)was higher than that in the intestinal positive group(0,0/7)and the dual positive group(14.28％,1/7).Compared with Xpert Carba,plate screening had lower screening costs,higher positive rates across different sample types and a broader range of detected bacterial species.CONCLUSIONS The ICU ward is a high-prevalence area for CRO strains,with K.pneumoniae(from in-testinal samples)and P.aeruginosa(from respiratory samples)showing the highest isolation rates.Plate screen-ing boasts lower costs,higher detection rate and broader bacterial species coverage for active screening of CRO strains in the intestinal and respiratory tracts of high-risk ICU patients.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the current status of air quality in clean operating rooms in Xi'an and explore the possible influencing factors,thus to provide data support for improving the quality of operating room manage-ment.METHODS According to GB50333-2013"Architectural technical code for hospital clean operating depart-ment",on-site monitoring was conducted from 2017 to 2021 on the air quality of 242 clean operating rooms in 41 hospitals in Xi'an,and the results were compared and analyzed.RESULTS Among the operating rooms being sur-veyed,130 were from secondary hospitals,112 from tertiary hospitals;seventy-nine were ClassⅠoperating rooms,26 were ClassⅡ,137 were ClassⅢ.The pass rate for settling bacterial was 98.35%,with 94.94%for ClassⅠoperating rooms,which was significantly lower than that in ClassⅡand ClassⅢ operating rooms(χ2=6.565,P=0.022).The pass rate for dust particles was 69.01%,with 43.04%for ClassⅠoperating rooms,and there was significant difference among different levels of operating rooms(χ2=37.304,P<0.001).The pass rate for dust particles in tertiary hospitals was 61.61%,lower than that in secondary hospitals(75.38%;χ2=5.340,P=0.021).The pass rate for dust particles≥0.5μm and≥5μm were 85.12%and 74.79%,respectively.Among the operating rooms with unqualified dust particles,those with both≥0.5 μm and≥5 μm dust particles not meeting standards accounted for 29.33%,and those with only≥0.5 μm dust particles not meeting standards accounted for 18.67%.Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that influencing factors for air quality in clean operating rooms included the year of monitoring and the level of the operating room,while the sampling area and hospital level were not statistically associated with the outcomes.CONCLUSION The overall air quality of op-erating rooms in Xi'an is not optimistic,the pass rate is affected by the year of monitoring and the clean levels of the operating rooms,indicating a need to strengthen routine management and monitoring of clean operating rooms.

Objective To investigate whether an association existed between elevated serum β2-microglobulin levels and post stroke cognitive impairment(PSCI).Methods A total of 140 patients with ischemic stroke in Wenzhou People's Hospital during December 2022 to December 2023 were prospectively were enrolled including 73 patients in the PSCI group and 67 patients in the non-post stroke cognitive impairment(PSNCI)group.Serum β2-microglobulin and other biochemical indicators were measured within 24 hours after admission.PSCI was assessed using the mini-mental state examination(MMSE)score with a threshold of≥27 points serving as the diagnostic criterion.Results The age,National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale(NIHSS)score at admission,proportion of low education level,proportion of multiple or large area infarction and serum β2-microglobulin level in the PSCI group were higher than those in the PSNCI group.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that age,NIHSS score at admission,multiple or large area infarction and serum β2-microglobulin level were risk factors for PSCI,and education level was a protective factor for PSCI.Conclusion The increase of β2-microglobulin level is a risk factor for cognitive impairment after ischemic stroke.The detection of β2-microglobulin level in stroke patients may realize the early detection of PSCI.

Background Silicosis is an occupational disease mainly characterized by pulmonary progressive fibrosis induced by the accumulation of free silica (SiO₂) in the lungs due to long-term exposure to SiO₂ dust. It has been shown that neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are increased in the lung tissues of silicotic mice after 28 d SiO₂ exposure, but it is unclear how the levels of NETs change throughout entire progression of silicosis in mice. Objective To observe the levels of NETs and pathological changes in the lungs of silicotic mice after different duration of SiO₂ exposure, and to confirm the possible role and significance of NETsin the development of SiO₂-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Methods A total of 28 SPF male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into a control group, and a model group, and the model group was subdivided into, a 2 d model group, a 7 d model group, and a 28 d model group, with 7 mice in each group. The mice in the model groups were given intratracheal instillation with 10 mg SiO₂ suspension (50 μL), and the mice in the control group were received same volume of saline. Mice were sacrificed and samples were collected at designed time points. The pathological changes of lung tissues of mice were observed after hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and Van Gieson (VG) staining. Immunofluorescence was used to observe the NETs markers citrullination histone H3 (CitH3) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and the percentage of NETs-positive cells was calculated. PicoGreen fluorescent dye kit was used to detect the content of extracelluar DNA (ex-DNA) in mouse BALF, and the expression levels of fibrosis-related proteins α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and fibronectin (FN) and NETs marker CitH3 in lung tissues of mice were detected by Western blot (WB). Results Compared with the control group, inflammatory cells accumulation, alveolar wall thickening, and collagen deposition were obviously observed in the lungs of the silicosis model groups, and a large number of silicone nodules were recorded in the lung tissues in the 28 d group. Compared with the control group, the expressions of α-SMA and FN in the lung tissue of the 28 d group were significantly increased (P<0.05). The percentages of NETs in BALF increased significantly in the 2 d and the 7 d model group, then decreased in the 28 d model group (P<0.05). Compared with the control group (7.434±0.258) ng·mL⁻¹, the ex-DNA levels in BALF of mice in the 2 d [(35.110±6.331) ng·mL⁻¹], the 7 d [(39.491±6.948) ng·mL⁻¹], and the 28 d [(23.360±4.809) ng·mL⁻¹] model groups were increased (P<0.05), and the increase of ex-DNA in the 2 d and the 7 d model groups were statistically significant (P<0.05). In comparison with the control group, the protein level of CitH3 was significantly increased in the lung tissues of mice in the 7 d model group (P<0.05). Conclusion The content of NETs increases significantly and reaches a peak in the early inflammatory stage of silicosis, and decreases as the disease progresses to the fibrotic stage, suggesting that NETs may play a role in early stage of silicosis.

【Objective】 To monitor the positive rates of IgM and IgG antibodies and the changes in S/CO values over time in voluntary blood donors infected with SARS-CoV-2 after recovery, in order to provide theoretical basis and data support for ensuring clinical blood safety. 【Methods】 A total of 54 platelet donors who met the inclusion criteria were selected for this study, and 359 blood samples (plasma) from T1 to T7 (at 7 time points, spanning 14 to 15 weeks) were continuously monitored for SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG antibodies using fully automated chemi-luminescence method. 【Results】 Among 359 blood samples (plasma) from 54 donors, 349 were with valid test results.Eleven donors were tested positive for IgM, with a positive rate of 20.37%, and IgM antibody S/CO value gradually increased during T1-T3, but gradually decreased during T4-T7. Fifty-four donors were tested positive for IgG, with the positive rate of 100%, and the S/CO value of IgG antibody gradually decreased over time. During the period of T1 -T7, there was no significant difference in SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody S/CO value between gender (male/female) or age group (18-39 years old /40-60 years old). 【Conclusion】 The positive rate of SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody in platelet donors after recovery from SARS-CoV-2 infection was 100% during 2-14 weeks, and the IgG S/CO value gradually decreases over time. The long-term dynamic changes of SARS-CoV-2 serologically specific IgG and IgM antibodies in blood donors are worthy of further study.

【Objective】 To evaluate the associations of total fat and fatty acid consumption with the risk of hypertension among rural residents in Hanzhong, Shaanxi Province. 【Methods】 A cross-sectional survey on dietary status with a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire was conducted among rural residents aged between 18 and 80 years old in Hanzhong of Shaanxi. Multivariate log-binomial regression models and restricted cubic spline were used to explore the associations of dietary total fat, saturated fatty acid, polyunsaturated fatty acid and monounsaturated fatty acids with hypertension and as well as association between dose and response. 【Results】 A total of 2241 individuals were included, with 774 males and 1467 females. Monounsaturated fatty acid accounted for 51.9% of total dietary fat intake, while the other two fatty acids for 48.1%. The intake of dietary fat and any fatty acid in men was significantly in men higher than in women (P<0.001). Results of multivariable log-binomial regression indicated that after adjustment of energy, socio-demographic and lifestyles, the risk of hypertension reduced significantly in Q4 group, compared with that in Q1 (PR: 0.71, 95% CI: 0.54-0.92; P-trend: 0.022) in females. A nonlinear dose-response relationship between monounsaturated fatty acids and hypertension was detected by restricted cubic spline in women (Pnon-linear<0.01). No association was observed of total fat, saturated fatty acid and polyunsaturated fatty acid with hypertension regardless of the gender. 【Conclusion】 In women, increased consumption of monounsaturated fats might play a positive role in reducing the risk of hypertension. Further research is warranted to verify the rationality of causal inference and break-point.

PURPOSE: Allergic rhinitis (AR) has become a global issue for a large part of the general population. Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) has been used extensively to treat persistent allergic rhinitis (PAR). Although systematic reviews have confirmed the effectiveness of SLIT for the treatment of AR, a considerable number of studies using extracts of house dust mites (HDMs) for immunotherapy found no consensus on basic treatment parameters and questioned the efficacy of SLIT. METHODS: In this study, we evaluated SLIT for PAR by a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Library database searches were performed for RCTs on the treatment of PAR by SLIT that assessed clinical outcomes related to efficacy through May 2016. Descriptive and quantitative information was abstracted. An analysis was performed with standardized mean differences (SMDs) under a fixed or random effects model. Subgroup analyses were performed. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 metric. RESULTS: In total, 25 studies were eligible for inclusion in the meta-analysis for symptom scores and 15 studies for medication scores. SLIT was significantly different from the controls for symptom scores (SMD=1.23; 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.74 to 0.73; P<0.001). For medication scores, significant differences for SLIT were also observed versus the controls (SMD=-1.39; 95% CI=-1.90 to -0.88; P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our meta-analysis indicates that SLIT provided significant symptom relief and reduced the need for medications in PAR. In this study, significant evidence was obtained despite heterogeneity with regard to the use of mite extract. Specifically, the mite extract used was provided by the patients with PAR. Furthermore, to confirm both the objective outcomes and the effective doses of HDM allergen extracts, experimental data should be obtained from large high-quality population-based studies.
Consensus ; Dust* ; Humans ; Immunotherapy ; Mites ; Population Characteristics ; Pyroglyphidae ; Rhinitis, Allergic* ; Sublingual Immunotherapy*