OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association of serum albumin level after human albumin infusion with 28-day mortality in critically ill patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) and its impact on 90-day outcomes of the patients. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study based on the MIMIC IV database (2008-2019), including 5918 AKI patients treated with albumin in the ICU. Based on serum albumin levels within 72 h after albumin infusion, the patients were divided into low (<30 g/L), medium (30-35 g/L), and high albumin (>35 g/L) groups. Restricted cubic spline regression and multivariate logistic regression were used to analyze the association of albumin levels with patient mortality, and the results were verified in a external validation cohort consisting of 110 sepsis-induced AKI patients treated in Nanfang Hospital between 2017 and 2022 using survival analysis and multivariate adjustment. RESULTS: In the MIMIC training cohort, multivariate logistic regression showed no significant differences in 28-day mortality of the patients with different albumin levels (P>0.05). However, restricted cubic spline analysis indicated a non-linear dose-response relationship between albumin levels and 28-day mortality (threshold effect: risk increased when albumin levels >3.6 g/dL). Secondary endpoint analysis revealed that the patients with high albumin levels had a shorter duration of mechanical ventilation (P<0.001) but a longer ICU stay (P<0.001). In the validation cohort, albumin levels ≥30 g/L were significantly associated with a reduced 28-day mortality rate (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS The association between increased serum albumin levels following albumin infusion and 28-day mortality of critically ill patients with AKI exhibits a cohort dependency and can be influenced by multiple factors including disease type and severity, infusion strategies, and statistical methods.
Humans ; Acute Kidney Injury/therapy* ; Critical Illness/mortality* ; Retrospective Studies ; Serum Albumin/analysis* ; Male ; Female ; Intensive Care Units ; Middle Aged ; Logistic Models ; Aged

This study aimed to comprehensively examine the association of gallstones, cholecystectomy, and cancer risk. Multivariable logistic regressions were performed to estimate the observational associations of gallstones and cholecystectomy with cancer risk, using data from a nationwide cohort involving 239 799 participants. General and gender-specific two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was further conducted to assess the causalities of the observed associations. Observationally, a history of gallstones without cholecystectomy was associated with a high risk of stomach cancer (adjusted odds ratio (aOR)=2.54, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.50-4.28), liver and bile duct cancer (aOR=2.46, 95% CI 1.17-5.16), kidney cancer (aOR=2.04, 95% CI 1.05-3.94), and bladder cancer (aOR=2.23, 95% CI 1.01-5.13) in the general population, as well as cervical cancer (aOR=1.69, 95% CI 1.12-2.56) in women. Moreover, cholecystectomy was associated with high odds of stomach cancer (aOR=2.41, 95% CI 1.29-4.49), colorectal cancer (aOR=1.83, 95% CI 1.18-2.85), and cancer of liver and bile duct (aOR=2.58, 95% CI 1.11-6.02). MR analysis only supported the causal effect of gallstones on stomach, liver and bile duct, kidney, and bladder cancer. This study added evidence to the causal effect of gallstones on stomach, liver and bile duct, kidney, and bladder cancer, highlighting the importance of cancer screening in individuals with gallstones.
Humans ; Mendelian Randomization Analysis ; Gallstones/complications* ; Female ; Male ; Cholecystectomy/statistics & numerical data* ; Middle Aged ; Risk Factors ; Aged ; Adult ; Neoplasms/etiology* ; Stomach Neoplasms/epidemiology*

Objective To investigate the application value of multi slice spiral computed tomography(MSCT)in the diagnosis of bilateral Wilms tumor(BWT)in children.Methods The clinical and CT data of 7 children with BWT confirmed by clinical,imaging and pathology were analyzed retrospectively,and all cases underwent CT plain scanning and enhancement CT.Results Two cases were complicated with hypospadias,1 case with cryptorchidism,and 1 case with WAGR syndrome.There were 19 lesions in 14 kid-neys in 7 cases.The lesions were single in 10 kidneys and multiple in 4 kidneys on CT.CT flat scan showed that there were 3 solid lesions,16 cystic lesions,and there were different degrees of necrotic cystic changes inside,2 combined with bleeding,10 calcification,15 clear boundaries,and 4 exudation around.CT enhancement showed that the tumor body was unevenly strengthened,the necrotic cystic area was not strengthened,and the residual renal parenchyma was significantly strengthened.The typical signs were crescent signs and cuddle-ball signs,with 1 case of left renal venous thrombosis and 1 case of the invasion of renal pelvis.Conclusion MSCT can be used in the preoperative diagnosis of BWT in children,to evaluate the effect of chemotherapy and the postoperative evaluation,and to follow-up with and without recurrence and metastasis,so as to provide an important value for clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Objective To investigate the characteristics of CT findings in pediatric ovarian torsion and improve the understanding of pediatric ovarian torsion.Methods The clinical and CT data of 20 cases of ovarian torsion confirmed by pathology and/or surgery were analyzed retrospectively,based on the timing of ovarian torsion,they were divided into fetal and non-fetal groups.All 20 cases underwent plain CT scan and 11 cases underwent CT enhancement.Results All of the 20 cases were unilateral duplication,including 12 cases right and 8 cases left.There were 8 cases of ovarian torsion in the fetal group,all of them were visited with the finding of abdominal mass.The eggshell calcification on CT manifestations was found in 8 cases,and 2 cases of pelvic effusion.There were 12 cases of ovarian torsion in the non-fetal group,all of them presented with abdominal pain,CT showed the disc sign in 7 cases,peduncular protrusion sign in 6 cases,adnexal bleeding sign in 2 cases,subcapsular effusion sign in 2 cases,the uterus displaced to the ipsilateral ovary in 6 cases and pelvic effusion in 10 cases.The disc sign and peduncular protrusion sign were direct signs for the diagnosis of ovarian torsion,and the adnexal bleeding sign and subcapsular effusion sign suggested the possibility of necrosis.Conclusion Pediatric ovarian torsion CT findings with typical signs such as disc sign,peduncular protrusion sign,adnexal bleeding sign and subcapsular effusion sign,combined with clinical history,a more accurate diagnosis can be given,providing assistance in clinical treatment.

Objective To investigate the effects of 16-channel dedicated craniocerebral coil on brain magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)image quality in infants aged 0-6 months.Methods Thirty-two infants aged 0-6 months receiving craniocerebral MRI examination with 16-channel dedicated craniocerebral coil were enrolled as observation group,while 32 infant aged 0-6 months receiving craniocerebral MRI examination with conventional head and neck combined coil in the same period were enrolled as control group.The scanning sequences included transverse T1 weighted imaging(T1WI),T2 weighted imaging(T2WI),T2 fluid-attenuated inversion recovery(FLAIR)and diffusion-weighted imaging(DWI)sequences.The scanned images were evaluated subjectively and objectively.Results In the subjective evaluation,T1WI,T2WI and FLAIR sequences scored higher than 4,and DWI sequence scored higher than 3.There were high consistency between two raters for T1WI,T2WI and FLAIR sequences(Kappa value=0.717,0.652,and 0.784,respectively;P<0.05),and moderate consistency for DWI sequence(Kappa value=0.321;P<0.05).In the objective evaluation,the signal-to-noise ratio(SNR)and contrast-to-noise ratio(CNR)of each sequence in the dedicated coil group were highly consistent in the left and right lobes of the brain,and the differences in the SNR and CNR between the left and right lobes of the brain were trivial(P>0.05).The SNR and CNR of each sequence in the dedicated coil group increased as compared with the conventional coil group,and the differences in the SNR and CNR of T1WI sequence and the SNR of DWI sequence were statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion The brain images of infants aged 0-6 months obtained with a dedicated craniocerebral coil can better meet the clinical needs,and the image quality of the dedicated coil group is superior to that of the conventional coil group in both subjective and objective evaluations.

Background/Aims: Low educational attainment is a well-established risk factor for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in developed areas. However, the association between educational attainment and the risk of NAFLD is less clear in China. Methods: A cross-sectional study including over 200,000 Chinese adults across mainland China was conducted. Information on education level and lifestyle factors were obtained through standard questionnaires, while NAFLD and advanced fibrosis were diagnosed using validated formulas. Outcomes included the risk of NAFLD in the general population and high probability of fibrosis among patients with NAFLD. Logistic regression analysis was employed to estimate the risk of NAFLD and fibrosis across education levels. A causal mediation model was used to explore the potential mediators. Results: Comparing with those receiving primary school education, the multi-adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) for NAFLD were 1.28 (1.16 to 1.41) for men and 0.94 (0.89 to 0.99) for women with college education after accounting for body mass index. When considering waist circumference, the odds ratios (95% CIs) were 0.94 (0.86 to 1.04) for men and 0.88 (0.80 to 0.97) for women, respectively. The proportions mediated by general and central obesity were 51.00% and 68.04% for men, while for women the proportions were 48.58% and 32.58%, respectively. Furthermore, NAFLD patients with lower educational attainment showed an incremental increased risk of advanced fibrosis in both genders. Conclusions In China, a low education level was associated with a higher risk of prevalent NAFLD in women, as well as high probability of fibrosis in both genders.

The latest epidemiological data suggests that the situation of adult diabetes in China is severe, and metabolic diseases have become significant chronic illnesses that have a serious impact on public health and social development. After more than six years of practice, the National Metabolic Management Center(MMC) has developed distinctive approaches to manage metabolic patients and has achieved a series of positive outcomes, continuously advancing the standardized diagnosis and treatment model. In order to further improve the efficiency, based on the first edition, the second edition guideline was composed by incorporating experience of the past six years in conjunction with the latest international and domestic guidelines.

Objective To investigate the role of nitric oxide synthase(NOS)in the regulation of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion(IR)injury in ovariectomized(OVX)rats.Methods A total of 132 female SD rats were subjected,and 48 of them were randomly divided into sham operation group,IR group,OVX group and combined group,with 12 in each group.In order to explore the role of endothelous NOS(eNOS)and inducible NOS(iNOS)in ovariectomization increasing myo-cardial IR injury,another 84 mice were divided into negative sham group,negative IR group,nega-tive combined group,eNOS+IR group,eNOS combined group,iNOS small interfering RNA(si-iNOS)+IR group and si-iNOS combined group,with 12 in each group.The mice of the corre-sponding groups were injected with adeno-associated virus(AAV)overexpressing eNOS or knoc-king down iNOS via tail vein before OVX modeling.Myocardial infarct size,serum levels of lac-tate dehydrogenase(LDH)and creatine phosphokinase isoenzyme(CK-MB),LVEF,LVFS,and expression levels of eNOS and iNOS in the myocardial tissues were measured.Results The com-bined group had significantly increased level of iNOS in myocardium,larger myocardial infarct size and elevated serum LDH and CK-MB levels,but decreased myocardial expression of eNOS and LVEF and LVFS values than the IR group(P＜0.05).When compared with the negative combined group,the myocardial infarct size and serum LDH and CK-MB levels were decreased[(23.51±3.22)％and(26.21±2.93)％vs(58.78±5.42)％,(176.31±15.48 and 169.52±17.12 vs 328.85±37.12 U/L,35.41±6.41 and 34.77±5.94 vs 88.73±9.14 U/L,P＜0.05],and the LVEF and LVFS values were increased[(41.31±3.12)％and(42.09±3.41)％vs(30.77± 2.15)％,(21.47±1.57)％and(21.32±1.42)％vs(15.92±1.33)％,P＜0.05]in the eNOS com-bined group and si-iNOS combined group.Conclusion The decrease of eNOS expression and in-crease of iNOS expression are related to the aggravation of myocardial IR injury in OVX rats.