This study aims to describe the population and regional distribution characteristics of smoking behavior among adult twins in the China Twin Registry (CNTR), as well as the concordance rates for smoking behavior in monozygotic and dizygotic twins, and estimate the heritability. The study population included adult twins in CNTR who had smoking questionnaire data. A random-effects regression model was used to describe the distribution of smoking behavior among different subgroups based on various characteristics. The concordance of smoking behavior between different zygosity groups was calculated, and heritability was estimated. A total of 28 444 twin pairs were included in this study, with an average age of (36.6±12.0) years. Among male twins, 41.2% were current smokers, while only 1.2% of females smoked. Higher smoking rates were observed among male smokers in the 50-59 age group ( z=23.0, P<0.001), northern regions ( z=2.9, P<0.01), rural areas ( z=-5.2, P<0.001), those who were divorced/widowed ( z=3.8, P<0.001), and first-born twins ( z=-4.3, P<0.001), while lower smoking rates were found in those with higher education ( z=-16.1, P<0.001) and unmarried individuals ( z=-16.0, P<0.001). The smoking concordance rate for male monozygotic twins was 69.6%, significantly higher than the 57.3% concordance rate for dizygotic twins ( χ 2=105.0, P<0.05). The heritability of smoking behavior in male twins was estimated at 28.9% (95% CI: 24.3%-33.4%). Stratified analyses showed differences in heritability across regions and age groups: the heritability in northern regions was 32.6% (95% CI: 27.3%-38.0%), higher than the 21.0% (95% CI: 12.4%-29.5%) observed in southern regions; the highest heritability of 35.1% (95% CI: 26.3%-43.9%) was found in the 18-29 age group, with heritability decreasing with age. In conclusion, the smoking rate and influencing factors in the twin population are similar to those in the general population, with unique characteristics, such as higher smoking rates in first-born twins. Genetic factors have a significant impact on smoking behavior.

Objective:To explore the relationship between obesity indicators and DNA methylation clocks acceleration,and to analyze their temporal sequence.Methods:Data were obtained from two sur-veys conducted in 2013 and 2017-2018 by the Chinese National Twin Registry.Peripheral blood DNA methylation data were measured using the Illumina Infinium Human Methylation 450K BeadChip and EPIC BeadChip.DNA methylation clocks/acceleration metrics(GrimAA,PCGrimAA and Dunedin-PACE)were calculated using the DNA methylation online tool(https://dnamage.genetics.ucla.edu/)or R code provided by researchers.Obesity indicators included weight,body mass index(BMI),waist circumference,waist-hip ratio,and waist-height ratio.A total of 1 070 twin individuals were included in the cross-sectional analysis,comprising 378 monozygotic(MZ)twin pairs and 155 dizygotic(DZ)twin pairs for within-pair analysis.Mixed-effects models were used to examine the associations between obesity indicators and DNA methylation clocks,as well as their acceleration measures.The longitudinal analysis included 314 twin individuals,comprising 95 MZ twin pairs and 62 DZ twin pairs for within-pair analy-sis.Cross-lagged panel models were applied to further explore the temporal relationships between obesity and DNA methylation clock indicators.All analyses were conducted both in the full twin sample and separately within MZ and DZ twin pairs.Results:In the cross-sectional analysis population,monozygotic twins accounted for 71.0％,males for 68.0％,and the mean chronological age was(49.9±12.1)years.In the longitudinal analysis population,monozygotic twins accounted for 60.5％,males for 60.8％,with a mean baseline chronological age of(50.4±10.2)years and a mean follow-up duration of(4.6±0.6)years.Except for the waist-to-hip ratio,which was significantly higher at follow-up com-pared with baseline,no statistically significant differences were observed in the means of other obesity in-dicators between baseline and follow-up.Correlation analysis revealed that weight,BMI,waist circumfe-rence,waist-hip ratio(WHR),and waist-height ratio(WHtR)were positively correlated with Dunedin-PACE in all the twins,with WHtR showing the strongest association(β=0.21,95％CI:0.11 to 0.31).Weight and BMI were negatively associated with GrimAA(β=-0.03,95％CI:-0.05 to-0.01;β=-0.07,95％CI:-0.12 to-0.02),while weight was negatively associated with PCGrim-AA(β=-0.02,95％CI:-0.03 to 0.00).However,within-twin-pair analyses showed no statistically significant correlations.Cross-lagged panel model analysis indicated that higher baseline weight might lead to increased GrimAA at follow-up,while elevated baseline weight,BMI,and waist circumference might increase PCGrimAA.Higher baseline WHR was associated with increased DunedinPACE at follow-up.Conclusion:Obesity indicators correlate with DNA methylation clock acceleration metrics.Baseline obesity may influence changes in certain DNA methylation clock indicators over time,suggesting that obesity could exert long-term health effects by accelerating DNA methylation aging.However,these associations may be confounded by shared genetic or environmental factors among the twins.

This study aims to describe the population and regional distribution characteristics of smoking behavior among adult twins in the China Twin Registry (CNTR), as well as the concordance rates for smoking behavior in monozygotic and dizygotic twins, and estimate the heritability. The study population included adult twins in CNTR who had smoking questionnaire data. A random-effects regression model was used to describe the distribution of smoking behavior among different subgroups based on various characteristics. The concordance of smoking behavior between different zygosity groups was calculated, and heritability was estimated. A total of 28 444 twin pairs were included in this study, with an average age of (36.6±12.0) years. Among male twins, 41.2% were current smokers, while only 1.2% of females smoked. Higher smoking rates were observed among male smokers in the 50-59 age group ( z=23.0, P<0.001), northern regions ( z=2.9, P<0.01), rural areas ( z=-5.2, P<0.001), those who were divorced/widowed ( z=3.8, P<0.001), and first-born twins ( z=-4.3, P<0.001), while lower smoking rates were found in those with higher education ( z=-16.1, P<0.001) and unmarried individuals ( z=-16.0, P<0.001). The smoking concordance rate for male monozygotic twins was 69.6%, significantly higher than the 57.3% concordance rate for dizygotic twins ( χ 2=105.0, P<0.05). The heritability of smoking behavior in male twins was estimated at 28.9% (95% CI: 24.3%-33.4%). Stratified analyses showed differences in heritability across regions and age groups: the heritability in northern regions was 32.6% (95% CI: 27.3%-38.0%), higher than the 21.0% (95% CI: 12.4%-29.5%) observed in southern regions; the highest heritability of 35.1% (95% CI: 26.3%-43.9%) was found in the 18-29 age group, with heritability decreasing with age. In conclusion, the smoking rate and influencing factors in the twin population are similar to those in the general population, with unique characteristics, such as higher smoking rates in first-born twins. Genetic factors have a significant impact on smoking behavior.

Objective:To explore the relationship between obesity indicators and DNA methylation clocks acceleration,and to analyze their temporal sequence.Methods:Data were obtained from two sur-veys conducted in 2013 and 2017-2018 by the Chinese National Twin Registry.Peripheral blood DNA methylation data were measured using the Illumina Infinium Human Methylation 450K BeadChip and EPIC BeadChip.DNA methylation clocks/acceleration metrics(GrimAA,PCGrimAA and Dunedin-PACE)were calculated using the DNA methylation online tool(https://dnamage.genetics.ucla.edu/)or R code provided by researchers.Obesity indicators included weight,body mass index(BMI),waist circumference,waist-hip ratio,and waist-height ratio.A total of 1 070 twin individuals were included in the cross-sectional analysis,comprising 378 monozygotic(MZ)twin pairs and 155 dizygotic(DZ)twin pairs for within-pair analysis.Mixed-effects models were used to examine the associations between obesity indicators and DNA methylation clocks,as well as their acceleration measures.The longitudinal analysis included 314 twin individuals,comprising 95 MZ twin pairs and 62 DZ twin pairs for within-pair analy-sis.Cross-lagged panel models were applied to further explore the temporal relationships between obesity and DNA methylation clock indicators.All analyses were conducted both in the full twin sample and separately within MZ and DZ twin pairs.Results:In the cross-sectional analysis population,monozygotic twins accounted for 71.0％,males for 68.0％,and the mean chronological age was(49.9±12.1)years.In the longitudinal analysis population,monozygotic twins accounted for 60.5％,males for 60.8％,with a mean baseline chronological age of(50.4±10.2)years and a mean follow-up duration of(4.6±0.6)years.Except for the waist-to-hip ratio,which was significantly higher at follow-up com-pared with baseline,no statistically significant differences were observed in the means of other obesity in-dicators between baseline and follow-up.Correlation analysis revealed that weight,BMI,waist circumfe-rence,waist-hip ratio(WHR),and waist-height ratio(WHtR)were positively correlated with Dunedin-PACE in all the twins,with WHtR showing the strongest association(β=0.21,95％CI:0.11 to 0.31).Weight and BMI were negatively associated with GrimAA(β=-0.03,95％CI:-0.05 to-0.01;β=-0.07,95％CI:-0.12 to-0.02),while weight was negatively associated with PCGrim-AA(β=-0.02,95％CI:-0.03 to 0.00).However,within-twin-pair analyses showed no statistically significant correlations.Cross-lagged panel model analysis indicated that higher baseline weight might lead to increased GrimAA at follow-up,while elevated baseline weight,BMI,and waist circumference might increase PCGrimAA.Higher baseline WHR was associated with increased DunedinPACE at follow-up.Conclusion:Obesity indicators correlate with DNA methylation clock acceleration metrics.Baseline obesity may influence changes in certain DNA methylation clock indicators over time,suggesting that obesity could exert long-term health effects by accelerating DNA methylation aging.However,these associations may be confounded by shared genetic or environmental factors among the twins.

Objective:To compare effect of internal fixation of ribs assisted by complete thoracoscopy and thoracotomy for flail chest.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was used to analyze the clinical data of 86 patients with flail chest treated at No.2 Hospital of Nanping City and 900th Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force between January 2019 and December 2020, including 58 males and 28 females; aged 25-69 years [(42.9±9.5)years]. A total of 45 patients underwent internal fixation of ribs assisted by complete thoracoscopy (thoracoscopy group), and 41 patients by thoracotomy (thoracotomy group). The operation time, number of fixed ribs, intraoperative blood loss, ventilation time, postoperative length of hospital stay, hemodynamic indicators [partial pressure of oxygen (PaO 2), partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO 2), oxygenation index (PaO 2/FiO 2)] before surgery and at 1 day after surgery, respiratory function [forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV)] at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery and postoperative complications were compared between the two groups. Results:All patients were followed up for 12-18 months [(14.1±1.9)months]. Thoracoscopy group showed prolonged operation time [(139.5±36.4)minutes vs. (114.8±32.5)minutes], reduced intraoperative blood loss [(124.6±42.4)ml vs. (198.6±62.6)ml] as well as shortened ventilation time [(4.0±1.1)days vs. (6.7±1.6)days] and postoperative length of hospital stay [(14.9±2.4)days vs. (17.9±3.7)days] when compared with thoracotomy group (all P<0.01). There was no statistical significance in the number of fixed ribs between the two groups ( P>0.05). There were no statistical differences in PaO 2, PaCO 2 or PaO 2/FiO 2 between the two groups before surgery (all P>0.05). At day 1 after surgery, the PaO 2 and PaO 2/FiO 2 in thoracoscopy group were (86.2±5.4)mmHg and 321.4±36.1, higher than (80.1±6.2)mmHg and 286.0±29.3 in thoracotomy group (all P<0.01); the PaCO 2 was (37.4±2.4)mmHg in thoracoscopy group, lower than (40.0±3.1)mmHg in thoracotomy group ( P<0.01). At 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months after surgery, the FVC was (75.5±10.9)%, (84.5±10.5)%, (93.1±12.8)% and (102.6±17.5)% in thoracoscopy group, higher than (69.2±9.9)%, (78.3±8.9)%, (86.2±10.4)% and (92.4±14.8)% in thoracotomy group; the FEV1 was (76.9±9.3)%, (88.4±12.9)%, (92.4±13.9)% and (98.5±10.6)% in thoracoscopy group, higher than (72.9±8.5)%, (82.8±11.4)%, (86.4±12.7)% and (93.5±11.9)% in thoracotomy group; the MVV was (78.3±13.4)L/min, (87.5±13.5)L/min, (94.6±14.7)L/min and (100.1±11.9)L/min in thoracoscopy group, higher than (72.5±11.6)L/min, (80.5±12.7)L/min, (86.5±13.5)L/min and (92.8±10.3)L/min in thoracotomy group (all P<0.05). There were no thoracic deformities in the two groups after surgery. There was no statistical significance in incision infection rate between the two groups ( P>0.05). The incidence rate of pulmonary infection, atelectasis and pleural effusion was 11.1% (5/45), 6.7% (3/45) and 11.1% (5/45) in thoracoscopy group, lower than 29.3% (12/41), 24.4% (10/41) and 31.7% (13/41) in thoracotomy group (all P<0.05). Conclusion:Although internal fixation of ribs with complete thoracoscopy has longer surgical time than thoracotomy in the treatment of flail chest, it can decrease intraoperative blood loss, ventilation time and length of hospital stay and is more conducive to improving the respiratory function and reducing complication rate.

Objective: Preliminary study on the clinical effect of preoperative ultrasound endoscopy combined with staining labeling technique to locate the actual boundary of esophageal and gastric cancer Methods: From September 1, 2015 to October 30, 2017, 18 patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma were enrolled in this study. The actual boundaries of esophageal and gastric-derived adenocarcinoma lesions were localized by endoscopic ultrasonography and staining. There were 10 males and 8 females. After completing the preoperative examination, 1-2 days before operation, endoscopic ultrasonography was used to locate the edge of the lesion. Two point injection of carbon nano suspension was used to mark the location of 1cm at the longest distance from the longitudinal axis of the tumor. According to the length of longitudinal axial staining, the thoracotomy was performed. Intraoperative proximal margin resection was used to send frozen pathology. According to the results of freezing, the operation was decided. After the operation, the specimens from the margin of the tumor were segmented into paraffin section, which was about 0.5cm in each segment, and the tumor cells were observed under the electron microscope at all levels of the paraffin sections. Results: The average time of preoperative endoscopic ultrasonography staining was(10.16±1.38) min, and the diameter of nano carbon diffusion was(1.43±0.41)cm. All patients in the operation could clearly see the nano carbon staining area under the naked eye. In the field, the average time of locating lesions was(1.27±0.53)min. 5 patients underwent thoracoabdominal surgery and 13 underwent abdominal surgery. The average length of the cut margin of the tumor was(4.74±1.12)cm, and the frozen pathology of the incision margin was negative, and no additional operation was performed. The routine pathology confirmed that all the specimens were negative. Conclusion The staining and labeling technique for adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction under endoscopic ultrasonography can detect the tumor edge and the scope of invasion accurately. It provides guidance and guarantee for the smooth implementation of AEG precision surgery. It is a safe, rapid and effective positioning technique.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the sleep architecture and hypoxia and clinical features of habitual snoring children with an obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea index (OAHI) 1 to 5.

METHODThe polysomnographic data of 267 children aged from 2 to 16 years with habitual snoring were analyzed retrospectively, and the clinical features were analyzed in 108 of the children. The recruited children were divided into primary snoring group (PS group, OAHI≤1), obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) group (15 or dostructive apnea index>1, LSpO2<0.92).

RESULTThe oxygen desaturation index of the intermediate OSAHS group (3.8±0.4) was significantly higher than that of PS group (1.6±0.1) (χ2=34.5, P<0.01). The LSpO2 of intermediate OSAHS group was significantly lower than that of PS group (89(87,91) vs. 93(91,94), χ2=40.2, P<0.01). Comparing to the PS group, the non-rapid eye movement 1 ratio (N1%) was significantly higher (19.0±1.2 vs. 14.2±0.1, χ2=14.1, P<0.01), and the non-rapid eye movement 3 ratio (N3%) was significantly lower (24.4±1.0 vs. 29.0±1.1, P<0.01) in the intermediate OSAHS group. The pediatric questionnaire score intermediate OSAHS group was higher than PS (0.41±0.19 vs. 0.28±0.14, χ2=8.52, P=0.01). The adenoids-nasopharynx ratio was higher than that of PS group (0.70±0.07 vs. 0.62±0.10, χ2=8.96, P=0.01). The hypertrophy of tonsil was higher than PS group (2(1,2) vs. 1(1,2), χ2=7.95, P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONHypoxia and abnormal sleep structure are present in HS children with an OAHI of 1 to 5, and they also have the clinical features of OSAHS.

Adenoids ; pathology ; Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Humans ; Hypertrophy ; Hypoxia ; Oxygen ; blood ; Palatine Tonsil ; pathology ; Polysomnography ; Retrospective Studies ; Sleep ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive ; diagnosis ; Snoring ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Objective To evaluate the technique of finger palpation in thoracoscopic localization in patients with pulmonary nodules,and to summarize its technical details,especially with exploit of chest computed tomography (CT) facilitating it.Methods 95 patients with total amount of 109 pulmonary nodes 20 mm or smaller in size shown with lung window of CT,were reviewed.They were located subpleurally,with a median depth of 8.2 mm and a median size of 10.0 mm.The value of their depth over their size (D/d value) could be used as the extent of localizing difficulty.Each node had its own radiographic fealures for being localized,which was built preoperatively.Under thoracoscopic vision,nodules were finger-palpated by index finger via the 4th or 5th intercostal space on anterior axillary line,followed by wedgectomy or lobectomy for instant histopathological diagnosis to further decide the final surgical type.The distance between the nodule and the origin of segmental bronchus (L value) were also calculated out,as it might be relevant to the way the nodule could be biopsied.Results All nodules were successfully localized and resected for biopsy goal,105 by wedgectomy,4 by lobectomy.After intraoperative diagnosis was made by the pathologist,VATS lobectomy and lymph node dissection were further performed in 55 patients.L value of 4 cases being biopsied by lobectomy ranged from 18.3 to 30.3 mm,averaging 26.1 mm.Conclusion Finger palpation is viable in any cases of pulmonary nodules.Detailed reference of CT digital information,and enough detachment of mediastinal pleura,can greatly facilitate thoracoscopic localization by finger palpation.Lobectomy or segementectomy is preferable when L value is less than 30 mm.