Due to the difficulty of overcoming the abnormal epidermal barriers and addressing S. aureus infections without disrupting indigenous skin microbiota, effective treatment of bacterial infection atopic dermatitis (AD) remains a significant clinical challenge. Skin microbiota-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) shows protentional for skin disease treatment, but the lack of antimicrobial activity and limited skin penetration hamper their application in bacterial infection AD treatment. Here, we developed novel nanoantibiotics by loading Lev into S. epidermidis-derived EVs (Lev@SE-EVs), with supreme antimicrobial activity, regulating epidermal immune responses and enhanced epidermal barrier functionality. The nanoantibiotics were further integrated into hyaluronic acid-based microneedle (MN) for efficient transdermal delivery of therapeutic agents and effectively treating bacterial infection in AD. Upon insertion into the skin, the rapidly released Lev@SE-EVs from MN are uptake by S. aureus in a selective manner, fibroblasts, and surrounding immune cells to exert therapeutic effects in the infected dermal layer, resulting in mitigated skin inflammation, reduced S. aureus burden and increased dermis repair. Notably, Lev@SE-EVs induce IL-17A⁺ CD8⁺ T-cell accumulation in the skin in an unrelated inflammation manner, which may represent heterologous protection. This EVs-integrated MN assisted Lev@SE-EVs to alleviate skin inflammation, repair skin, and provide an effective and safe therapeutic approach for bacterial infection AD treatment.

Objective:To investigate the influencing factors of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients, and to construct and verify the nomogram.Methods:The clinical data of 240 patients with MHD admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Hebei North University from July 2022 to October 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. According to whether the patients had MACE, they were divided into two groups, namely the occurrence group (with MACE, n=55) and the non-occurrence group (without MACE, n=185). After comparing the clinical data of the two groups, The independent risk factors of MHD patients with MACE were screened by binary logistic regression analysis, and the risk nomogram prediction model was constructed according to the risk factors, and the prediction efficiency of the model was analyzed by Bootstrap method. Results:There were significant differences in age, dialysis age, hyperlipidemia, hyperuricemia and hemodialysis flux between the two groups (all P<0.05). Binary logistic regression model analysis showed that dialysis age >12 months, combined with hyperlipidemia, combined with hyperuricemia, and low throughput hemodialysis were independent risk factors for MHD patients with MACE (all P<0.05). The neomorph risk prediction model was constructed based on independent risk factors. The area under the curve (AUC) of the prediction model was 0.842(95% CI: 0.789-0.896), the specificity was 69.1%, the sensitivity was 89.7%, the cutoff value was 13.128, and the Yoden index was 0.588, suggesting that the accuracy of the model was good. Conclusions:Dialysis age >12 months, combined with hyperlipidemia, combined with hyperuricemia and low throughput hemodialysis are independent risk factors for MACE in MHD patients. Intervention and control of risk factors can reduce the incidence of MACE.

Objective:To explore the causal association between insulin-like growth factor-1(IGF-1)and colorectal cancer(CRC)based on two sample Mendelian randomization(MR)analysis.Methods:A bidirectional two sample MR analysis was conducted based on publicly aggregated data from the IEU OpenGWAS project.The inverse variance weighted(IVW)method was used as the main analysis model to assess the causal relationship between IGF-1 and CRC.Additional analyses were performed using weighted median(WM),MR-Egger regression,weighted mode estimator(WME),and simple mode(SM)methods.Sensitivity analysis was performed to assess the robustness of the results.Results:A total of 386 single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs)were selected as instrumental variables(IVs)with IGF-1 as the exposure factor.The MR analysis results revealed a positive causal association between IGF-1 and the risk of CRC[odds ratio(OR)=1.178,95％confidence interval(CI):1.092-1.272)](P＜0.001),and the association remained significant after adjusting for height[OR(95％CI)=1.214(1.111,1.327)](P＜0.001).Cochran's Q-test showed heterogeneity among the IVs(P＜0.05),while the horizontal pleiotropy of IV was not detected by the MR-Egger regression(P＞0.05).The leave-one-out analysis showed that the MR results were robust.Reverse MR analysis indicated no reverse causal relationship between IGF-1 and CRC[OR(95％CI):1.017(0.997,1.037)](P=0.103).Conclusion:There is a causal relationship between IGF-1 level and CRC,and elevated IGF-1 level could be a risk factor for CRC.

Objectives:This study aims to investigate the relationship between neutrophil to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio(NHR)and incidence of cardiovascular disease(CVD)among individuals with metabolic associated fatty liver disease(MAFLD).Methods:We conducted a prospective cohort study utilizing health check-up data from 2006 to 2007 at Kailuan General Hospital and its 10 affiliated hospitals.The study population consisted of employees and retirees diagnosed with MAFLD,excluding those with incomplete neutrophil and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol data or a history of heart failure,myocardial infarction,cerebral hemorrhage,or cerebral infarction.CVD was defined as the presence of heart failure,myocardial infarction,cerebral hemorrhage,or cerebral infarction.Annual follow-ups were conducted from 2006,new-onset CVD cases identified through discharge records from the 11 Kailuan Group hospitals and records from municipal social insurance agencies,the final follow up date was December 31,2022.NHR was calculated as the ratio of neutrophil to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol,and the MAFLD cohort(n=28 952)was stratified into four groups by NHR quartiles:Q1 group(NHR<1.97,n=7 241),Q2 group(1.97≤NHR<2.57,n=7 235),Q3 group(2.57≤NHR<3.36,n=7 240),and Q4 group(NHR≥3.36,n=7 236).The Kaplan-Meier method was employed to plot survival curves for new-onset CVD,and the cumulative incidences of CVD across different NHR quartiles groups were determined.Intergroup comparisons were made using the log-rank test,and a multifactorial Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to assess the association between NHR quartiles and the risk of new-onset CVD in the MAFLD population.Results:The average follow-up duration was(14.03±3.99)years,during which 4 666 new CVD cases were recorded among the study population.The number of CVD cases across Q1 group to Q4 group were 1 061,1 167,1 186 and 1 252,respectively,with an overall incidence density of 11.5 cases per 1 000 person-years.The incidence densities for Q1 group to Q4 group were 10.4,11.4,11.7 and 12.5 cases per 1 000 person-years,respectively.The multifactorial Cox proportional hazards regression analysis revealed that higher NHR quartiles were associated with an increased relative risk of new-onset CVD(Q2 group:HR=1.13,95%CI:1.04-1.23;Q3 group:HR=1.15,95%CI:1.05-1.25;Q4 group:HR=1.22,95%CI:1.12-1.33).Conclusions:The risk of new-onset cardiovascular disease in individuals with MAFLD escalates with increasing NHR.

Objectives:This study aims to investigate the relationship between neutrophil to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio(NHR)and incidence of cardiovascular disease(CVD)among individuals with metabolic associated fatty liver disease(MAFLD).Methods:We conducted a prospective cohort study utilizing health check-up data from 2006 to 2007 at Kailuan General Hospital and its 10 affiliated hospitals.The study population consisted of employees and retirees diagnosed with MAFLD,excluding those with incomplete neutrophil and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol data or a history of heart failure,myocardial infarction,cerebral hemorrhage,or cerebral infarction.CVD was defined as the presence of heart failure,myocardial infarction,cerebral hemorrhage,or cerebral infarction.Annual follow-ups were conducted from 2006,new-onset CVD cases identified through discharge records from the 11 Kailuan Group hospitals and records from municipal social insurance agencies,the final follow up date was December 31,2022.NHR was calculated as the ratio of neutrophil to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol,and the MAFLD cohort(n=28 952)was stratified into four groups by NHR quartiles:Q1 group(NHR<1.97,n=7 241),Q2 group(1.97≤NHR<2.57,n=7 235),Q3 group(2.57≤NHR<3.36,n=7 240),and Q4 group(NHR≥3.36,n=7 236).The Kaplan-Meier method was employed to plot survival curves for new-onset CVD,and the cumulative incidences of CVD across different NHR quartiles groups were determined.Intergroup comparisons were made using the log-rank test,and a multifactorial Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to assess the association between NHR quartiles and the risk of new-onset CVD in the MAFLD population.Results:The average follow-up duration was(14.03±3.99)years,during which 4 666 new CVD cases were recorded among the study population.The number of CVD cases across Q1 group to Q4 group were 1 061,1 167,1 186 and 1 252,respectively,with an overall incidence density of 11.5 cases per 1 000 person-years.The incidence densities for Q1 group to Q4 group were 10.4,11.4,11.7 and 12.5 cases per 1 000 person-years,respectively.The multifactorial Cox proportional hazards regression analysis revealed that higher NHR quartiles were associated with an increased relative risk of new-onset CVD(Q2 group:HR=1.13,95%CI:1.04-1.23;Q3 group:HR=1.15,95%CI:1.05-1.25;Q4 group:HR=1.22,95%CI:1.12-1.33).Conclusions:The risk of new-onset cardiovascular disease in individuals with MAFLD escalates with increasing NHR.

Objective:To investigate the influencing factors of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients, and to construct and verify the nomogram.Methods:The clinical data of 240 patients with MHD admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Hebei North University from July 2022 to October 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. According to whether the patients had MACE, they were divided into two groups, namely the occurrence group (with MACE, n=55) and the non-occurrence group (without MACE, n=185). After comparing the clinical data of the two groups, The independent risk factors of MHD patients with MACE were screened by binary logistic regression analysis, and the risk nomogram prediction model was constructed according to the risk factors, and the prediction efficiency of the model was analyzed by Bootstrap method. Results:There were significant differences in age, dialysis age, hyperlipidemia, hyperuricemia and hemodialysis flux between the two groups (all P<0.05). Binary logistic regression model analysis showed that dialysis age >12 months, combined with hyperlipidemia, combined with hyperuricemia, and low throughput hemodialysis were independent risk factors for MHD patients with MACE (all P<0.05). The neomorph risk prediction model was constructed based on independent risk factors. The area under the curve (AUC) of the prediction model was 0.842(95% CI: 0.789-0.896), the specificity was 69.1%, the sensitivity was 89.7%, the cutoff value was 13.128, and the Yoden index was 0.588, suggesting that the accuracy of the model was good. Conclusions:Dialysis age >12 months, combined with hyperlipidemia, combined with hyperuricemia and low throughput hemodialysis are independent risk factors for MACE in MHD patients. Intervention and control of risk factors can reduce the incidence of MACE.

Objective:This study aims to investigate the relationship between high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) infection and the composition of vaginal microecology. It will analyze the efficacy of integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine intervention in treating HR-HPV infection, as well as the effects of this combined approach on vaginal microecology. Additionally, the study seeks to identify new methods to inhibit the malignant progression of cervical intraepithelial lesions.Methods:A prospective study was conducted involving 100 patients with HR-HPV infection who visited the Department of Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine from April to June 2023. The participants were randomly divided into a control group and an observation group, with 50 patients in each group using a random number table method. The control group received interferon treatment, while the observation group was treated with a combination of interferon and Yanfukang Lotion. High-throughput DNA sequencing of vaginal secretions was conducted to compare the differences in pre- and post-treatment vaginal microecological composition and the rate of HR-HPV clearance between the two groups. Results:In the observation group, both the diversity index and the abundance of vaginal microecology showed significant improvements compared with the control group, particularly in the abundance of dominant Lactobacillus species. These differences were statistically significant ( R = 0.124, 0.304, 0.030, all P < 0.05). The rates of HR-HPV clearance and overall effective rate (clearance + effective) in the observation group were 44% (22/50) and 68% (34/50), respectively, which were significantly higher than those in the control group [20% (10/50), 32% (16/50), χ2 = 12.98, both P < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups (χ2 = 1.76, P > 0.05). Conclusion:The combination of interferon and Yanfukang Lotion effectively treats HR-HPV infection by regulating the composition of vaginal microecology. This approach shows considerable efficacy and good safety, indicating its potential for further clinical application.

Objective:This study aims to investigate the relationship between high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) infection and the composition of vaginal microecology. It will analyze the efficacy of integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine intervention in treating HR-HPV infection, as well as the effects of this combined approach on vaginal microecology. Additionally, the study seeks to identify new methods to inhibit the malignant progression of cervical intraepithelial lesions.Methods:A prospective study was conducted involving 100 patients with HR-HPV infection who visited the Department of Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine from April to June 2023. The participants were randomly divided into a control group and an observation group, with 50 patients in each group using a random number table method. The control group received interferon treatment, while the observation group was treated with a combination of interferon and Yanfukang Lotion. High-throughput DNA sequencing of vaginal secretions was conducted to compare the differences in pre- and post-treatment vaginal microecological composition and the rate of HR-HPV clearance between the two groups. Results:In the observation group, both the diversity index and the abundance of vaginal microecology showed significant improvements compared with the control group, particularly in the abundance of dominant Lactobacillus species. These differences were statistically significant ( R = 0.124, 0.304, 0.030, all P < 0.05). The rates of HR-HPV clearance and overall effective rate (clearance + effective) in the observation group were 44% (22/50) and 68% (34/50), respectively, which were significantly higher than those in the control group [20% (10/50), 32% (16/50), χ2 = 12.98, both P < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups (χ2 = 1.76, P > 0.05). Conclusion:The combination of interferon and Yanfukang Lotion effectively treats HR-HPV infection by regulating the composition of vaginal microecology. This approach shows considerable efficacy and good safety, indicating its potential for further clinical application.

The Omicron family of SARS-CoV-2 variants are currently driving the COVID-19 pandemic. Here we analyzed the clinical laboratory test results of 9911 Omicron BA.2.2 sublineages-infected symptomatic patients without earlier infection histories during a SARS-CoV-2 outbreak in Shanghai in spring 2022. Compared to an earlier patient cohort infected by SARS-CoV-2 prototype strains in 2020, BA.2.2 infection led to distinct fluctuations of pathophysiological markers in the peripheral blood. In particular, severe/critical cases of COVID-19 post BA.2.2 infection were associated with less pro-inflammatory macrophage activation and stronger interferon alpha response in the bronchoalveolar microenvironment. Importantly, the abnormal biomarkers were significantly subdued in individuals who had been immunized by 2 or 3 doses of SARS-CoV-2 prototype-inactivated vaccines, supporting the estimation of an overall 96.02% of protection rate against severe/critical disease in the 4854 cases in our BA.2.2 patient cohort with traceable vaccination records. Furthermore, even though age was a critical risk factor of the severity of COVID-19 post BA.2.2 infection, vaccination-elicited protection against severe/critical COVID-19 reached 90.15% in patients aged ≽ 60 years old. Together, our study delineates the pathophysiological features of Omicron BA.2.2 sublineages and demonstrates significant protection conferred by prior prototype-based inactivated vaccines.
Humans ; Aged ; Middle Aged ; COVID-19/prevention & control* ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Pandemics/prevention & control* ; China/epidemiology* ; Disease Outbreaks/prevention & control* ; Vaccination

Objective:To study the predictive value of peripheral blood cathepsin (Cat) level on arteriovenous fistula stenosis and therapeutic effect of urokinase combined with argatroban in patients with maintenance hemodialysis (MHD).Methods:The clinical data of 120 patients with MHD from January 2017 to January 2021 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Hebei North University were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 72 patients had arteriovenous fistula stenosis (stenosis group), and 48 patients had not arteriovenous fistula stenosis (non-stenosis group). The patients in stenosis group were treated with urokinase combined with argatroban, and the therapeutic effect was evaluated; the stenosis degree of arteriovenous fistula stenosis was evaluated by digital subtraction angiography (DSA). The levels of Cat K and S in peripheral blood were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the predictive value of Cat K and S in peripheral blood on arteriovenous fistula stenosis in patients with MHD. The independent risk factor of arteriovenous fistula stenosis in patients with MHD was analyzed by multivariate Logistic regression analysis.Results:The levels of Cat K and S in peripheral blood in stenosis group were significantly higher than those in non-stenosis group: (404.34 ± 12.43) μg/L vs. (344.22 ± 12.09) μg/L and (124.55 ± 13.43) μg/L vs. (84.60 ± 12.45) μg/L, and there were statistical differences ( t = 26.39 and 16.68, P<0.01). The result of DSA showed that mild stenosis of arteriovenous fistula stenosis was in 33 cases, moderate stenosis in 23 cases, and severe stenosis in 16 cases. The levels of Cat K and S in peripheral blood in patients with moderate stenosis and severe stenosis were significantly higher than those in patients with mild stenosis: (399.83 ± 11.79) and (476.27 ± 12.24) μg/L vs. (372.61 ± 12.88) μg/L, (125.77 ± 12.75) and (151.69 ± 11.86) μg/L vs. (110.54 ± 12.07) μg/L, the indexes in patients with severe stenosis were significantly higher than those in patients with moderate stenosis, and there were statistical differences ( P<0.01). After treatment, excellent was in 40 cases, effective in 23 cases, and ineffective in 9 cases. The levels of Cat K and S in peripheral blood in patients with effective and ineffective were significantly higher than those in patients with excellent: (404.78 ± 10.96) and (491.30 ± 10.26) μg/L vs. (384.52 ± 10.36) μg/L, (121.85 ± 10.99) and (232.65 ± 10.61) μg/L vs. (101.78 ± 10.61) μg/L, the indexes in patients with ineffective were significantly higher than those in patients with effective, and there were statistical differences ( P<0.01). The ROC curve analysis result showed that the area under the curve of Cat K combined with Cat S in peripheral blood in forecasting arteriovenous fistula stenosis in patients with MHD was larger than that of Cat K and S alone (0.699 vs. 0.635 and 0.611), and the accuracy and specificity were also significantly higher (80.83% vs. 48.33% and 60.00%, 89.58% vs. 76.25% and 81.33%), the optimum cut-off values of Cat K and S in peripheral blood were 401.23 and 123.65 μg/L. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis result showed that the levels of Cat K and S in peripheral blood were the independent risk factor of arteriovenous fistula stenosis in patients with MHD ( OR = 1.02 and 1.63, 95% CI 0.90 to 1.93 and 1.33 to 2.32, P<0.01). Conclusions:The levels of Cat K and S in peripheral blood can predict the occurrence and extent of arteriovenous fistula stenosis in patients with MHD, and could also predict the therapeutic effect of urokinase combined with agatroban.