BACKGROUND: Neuroticism has been associated with numerous health outcomes. However, most research has focused on a single specific disorder and has produced controversial results, particularly regarding mortality risk. Here, we aimed to examine the association of neuroticism with morbidity and mortality and to elucidate how neuroticism affects trajectories from a healthy state, to one or more neuroticism-related disorders, and subsequent mortality risk. METHODS: We included 483,916 participants from the UK Biobank at baseline (2006-2010). Neuroticism was measured using the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire. Three clusters were constructed, including worry, depressed affect, and sensitivity to environmental stress and adversity (SESA). Cox proportional hazards regression and multistate models were used. Linear regression was used to examine the association between neuroticism and immune parameters and neuroimaging measures. RESULTS: High neuroticism was associated with 37 non-overlapping diseases, including increased risk of infectious, cardiometabolic, neuropsychiatric, digestive, and respiratory diseases, and decreased risk of cancer. After adjustment for sociodemographic variables, physical measures, healthy behaviors, and baseline diagnoses, moderate-to-high neuroticism was associated with a decreased risk of all-cause mortality. In multistate models, high neuroticism was associated with an increased risk of transitions from a healthy state to a first neuroticism-related disease (hazard ratio [HR] [95% confidence interval (CI)] = 1.09 [1.05-1.13], P  <0.001) and subsequent transitions to multimorbidity (1.08 [1.02-1.14], P  = 0.005), but was associated with a decreased risk of transitions from multimorbidity to death (0.90 [0.84-0.97], P for trend = 0.006). The leading neuroticism cluster showing a detrimental role in the health-illness transition was depressed affect, which correlated with higher amygdala volume and lower insula volume. The protective effect of neuroticism against mortality was mainly contributed by the SESA cluster, which, unlike the other two clusters, did not affect the balance between innate and adaptive immunity. CONCLUSION This study provides new insights into the differential role of neuroticism in health outcomes and into new perspectives for establishing mortality prevention programs for patients with multimorbidity.
Humans ; Neuroticism/physiology* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Adult ; Risk Factors

Background/Aims: There may be many predictors of anticoagulation-related gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB), but until now, systematic reviews and assessments of the certainty of the evidence have not been published. We conducted a systematic review to identify all risk factors for anticoagulant-associated GIB to inform risk prediction in the management of anticoagulation- related GIB. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to search PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases (from inception through January 21, 2022) using the following search terms: anticoagulants, heparin, warfarin, dabigatran, rivaroxaban, apixaban, DOACs, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, risk factors. According to inclusion and exclusion criteria, studies of risk factors for anticoagulation-related GIB were identified. Risk factors for anticoagulant-associated GIB were used as the outcome index of this review. Results: We included 34 studies in our analysis. For anticoagulant-associated GIB, moderate-certainty evidence showed a probable association with older age, kidney disease, concomitant use of aspirin, concomitant use of the antiplatelet agent, heart failure, myocardial infarction, hematochezia, renal failure, coronary artery disease, helicobacter pylori infection, social risk factors, alcohol use, smoking, anemia, history of sleep apnea, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, international normalized ratio (INR), obesity et al. Some of these factors are not included in current GIB risk prediction models. such as anemia, co-administration of gemfibrozil, co-administration of verapamil or diltiazem, INR, heart failure, myocardial infarction, etc. Conclusions The study found that anemia, co-administration of gemfibrozil, co-administration of verapamil or diltiazem, INR, heart failure, myocardial infarction et al. were associated with anticoagulation-related GIB, and these factors were not in the existing prediction models. This study informs risk prediction for anticoagulant-associated GIB, it also informs guidelines for GIB prevention and future research.

Objective:To understand the results of serum protein electrophoresis in patients with acute brucellosis, and to provide objective indicators for clinical diagnosis and treatment of acute brucellosis patients.Methods:Thirty acute brucellosis patients diagnosed by the Center for Disease Prevention and Control of Donghe District, Baotou City from January to June 2021 were selected as the case group, and 30 local healthy persons who took physical examination during the same period were selected as the control group. Blood samples were collected from the two groups of people, serum was separated and serum protein electrophoresis was performed. Independent sample t-tests were used to compare total protein concentrations, protein fractions (albumin, α1-globulin, α2-globulin, β-globulin and γ-globulin) and albumin/globulin (A/G) ratio. Results:The age of patients in the case group was (52.35 ± 6.74) years old, with 25 males and 5 females. The course of the disease ranged from 0.3 to 2.6 months, with an average of 1.78 months. The age of people in the control group was (52.74 ± 5.47) years old, with 25 males and 5 females. There were no statistically significant difference in age and sex distuibution between the two groups ( P > 0.05). The concentrations of total protein and α2-globulin fractions were not significantly different between the two groups ( t = 0.78, 2.04, P > 0.05, respectively). Compared with the control group, the differences in the percentage of albumin, α1-globulin, β-globulin, γ-globulin in total protein and A/G ratio were statistically significant ( t = 4.78, 4.76, 2.89, 2.20, 3.65, P < 0.05). Conclusions:The percentage of serum albumin in total protein and A/G ratio decrease in patients with acute brucellosis, while the percentage of α1-globulin, β-globulin and γ-globulin in total protein increase. The percentage of albumin, α1-globulin, β-globulin, γ-globulin in total protein and A/G ratio can be uesed as objective indicators for clinical treatment of acute brucellosis.

Humans ; Stroke Volume ; Incidence ; Goals ; Meningioma/complications* ; Postoperative Complications/epidemiology* ; Fluid Therapy/adverse effects* ; Meningeal Neoplasms/complications*

Objective:To investigate the anatomical safety and feasibility ofposterior occipitocervical fixation with atlan-tooccipital-clivus screw.Methods:Data of 60 patients who treated in the spinal department of our hospital with upper cervical computed tomographic scans from February 2017 to November 2019 were retrospectively collected. Occipitocervical infection, injury, tumor and deformity were excluded. The Mimics software was used to reconstruct the occiput, atlas and measure the anatomical parameters, including the height and width of the anterior edge of the clivus, the height and width of the middle part of the clivus, the thinnest distance of the soft tissue in front of the clivus, the anteroposterior diameter, transverse diameter, the angle of inside tilting in coronary plane of the occipital condyle, the distance from the hypoglossal canal to the atlantooccipital articular surface, the anteroposterior diameter and transverse diameter of the superior joint of atlas, the height of the lateral mass, and the height and transverse diameter of the inferior articular process of the superior atlas joint. The three-dimensional digital modeling was performed and the screw diameter of 3.5mm was simulated. 3-Matic software were used to measure the screw placement parameters, including the inside tilting angle in coronary plane of screw, and the angle of upper tilting in sagittal plane and length of screw. The atlanto-occipital junction was exposed at the rear of 8 cadavers. According to the above parameters, the titanium alloy screws with a diameter of 3.5 mm were transferred from the inferior articular process and posterior arch of the atlas to the clivus through the atlantooccipital. Finally, the screw path was cut along the nail path with a pendulum saw, and the track of the screw was observed to confirm the safety and effectiveness of the screw.Results:The leading edge height and width of male clivus was 16.8±2.5 mm and 20.1±3.1 mm. The middle part of the clivus was 9.7±2.3 mm and 22.4±3.7 mm. The thinnest soft tissue in front of the clivus was 5.8±1.48 mm. The anteroposterior diameter of the occipital condyle was 19.1±1.9 mm, the transverse diameter was 12.6±2.0 mm, the inside tilting angle was 33.7°±4.5°, and the vertical distance from the lowest point of the neural tube to the articular surface of the occipital condyle was 9.6±1.1 mm. The height of the lateral mass of atlas was 12.9±2.4 mm, the anteroposterior diameter of the upper joint of atlas was 21.7±1.9 mm, and the transverse diameter was 11.7±1.4 mm. The width of the inferior facet was 14.9±1.4 mm and the height of the inferior facet was 5.7±0.85 mm. The distance from the screw entry point to the vertical line of the lateral mass migration midpoint was 2.5±0.6 mm; The distance from the screw entry point to the horizontal line of the midpoint was 2.3±0.7 mm.The inside titling angle of screw was 18.4°±1.6°, the upper tilting angle was 55.6°±3.1°, the length of the screw track was 53.0±2.8 mm, the adjustment range of upper tilting angle was 15.0±2.8 mm, the adjustment range of inside tilting angle was 10.4±2.4 mm. The anatomical parameters of females were slightly smaller than those of males, and the difference was statistically significant, but there was no significant difference between left and right parameters. The screws of 8 specimens could be inserted safely and effectively.Conclusion:Atlan-tooccipital-clivus screw can be implanted without damaging the nerve and vascular structure, and it can be used as a choice for occipitocervical fixation.

Objective:To explore the difference in properties of anterior occipital condyle plate screws compared with common anterior occipitalcervical fusion internal fixation.Methods:A 28-year-old healthy adult male volunteer's CT data of the occiput and neck was selected to establish finite element models：including the normal model，simple artificial vertebral fixation model（special-shaped titanium cage+clival screws），anterior occipital condyle plate and screw fixation model，and clival plate and screw fixation model，then a 50 N gravity and a torque of 1.5 N m were exerted upon the upper surface of the occipital bone to make the model produce flexion and extension，lateral bending and rotation. The motion range，internal fixation stress distribution and occipital bone stress distribution of each model under varying conditions were compared.Results:Under the conditions of flexion，extension，lateral bending and rotation，the range of motion of the normal model was 18.65°，15.35°，9.82° and 34.68°，respectively；that of the simple artificial vertebral fixation model was 3.20°，3.63°，2.94° and 3.92°，respectively；that of the clival plate and screw fixation model was 0.40°，0.50°，0.35° and 0.89°，respectively；that of the anterior occipital condylar plate and screw fixation model was 0.27°，0.33°，0.13° and 0.30°，respectively. Compared with the simple artificial vertebral fixation model，the range of motion of the clival plate and screw fixation model decreased by 87.5%，86.2%，88.1% and 77.3% in flexion，extension，lateral bending and rotation. The range of motion of the anterior occipital condylar plate and screw fixation model decreased by 91.5%，90.1%，95.6% and 92.3%，respectively. Under the conditions of flexion and extension，lateral bending and rotation，the stress peak of the simple artificial vertebral fixation model was 52.3 MPa，51.9 MPa，52.6 MPa，respectively；that of the clival plate and screw fixation was 100.1 MPa，158.1 MPa，170.6 MPa，respectively；that of the anterior occipital condylar plate and screw fixation was 114.2 MPa，62.9 MPa，132.9 MPa，respectively. Under the condition of flexion and extension，lateral bending and rotation，the stress peak of the occipital bone in the simple artificial vertebral body internal fixation model was 52.9 MPa，50.9 MPa and 62.3 MPa，respectively；that of the clival plate and screw fixation model was 19.7 MPa，55.9 MPa and 38.3 MPa，respectively；that of the anterior occipital condylar plate and screw fixation model was 37.8 MPa，15.0 MPa and 16.3 MPa，respectively. The stress in bone near the hypoglossal canal was close to 0 MPa，much smaller than the stress peak in occipital bone.Conclusion:Anterior occipital condylar plate and screw fixation in front of the special-shaped titanium cage can improve the stability of occipitocervical fusion with little effect on the occipital bone and hypoglossal canal or without obvious stress concentration，and hence is a safe and reliable anterior fixation method for upper cervical spine instability.

Objective:To provide a theoretical basis for the clinical application of the posterior route through atlas occipital articular slope screw internal fixation system through the biomechanical study.Methods:Eight cadavers of healthy adults aged 35-60 years and 155-180 cm in height were selected. The specimens with complete anatomical structure and without surgical operation were established as normal models. The model of occipito-atlantoaxial complex was established by breaking the articular capsule, ligament and other connecting structures and cutting the dentate process. The device was established as an internal fixation model through the specimen of atlantooccipital joint slope screw internal fixation system. Given normal model and internal fixation of 1.5 N·m in the moment of flexion, lateral bending and axial rotation and to measure the specimen C 0-C 1 and C 0-C 2 segment of the range (range of motion, ROM), comparative analysis of pillow neck area within the normal model and fixed model changes the range of movement, after the evaluation through the slope between atlas and the occipital screw internal fixation system of mechanical properties. Results:In the normal model, the flexion, flexion and extension, lateral bend and axial rotation ranges of C 0-C 1 segments were 23.85°±2.43°, 4.74°±0.55°, 5.77°±0.75°, respectively; the corresponding activity ranges of C 0-C 2 segments were 30.66°±3.05°, 9.09°±1.37°, 70.97°±9.48°, respectively; in the internal fixation model, the flexion and extension, lateral bend and axial rotation ranges of C 0-C 1 segments were 0.71°±0.24°, 0.24°±0.06°, 0.34°±0.09°, respectively. The corresponding activity range of C 0-C 2 segment was 3.09°±0.82°, 0.74°±0.07°, 1.22°±0.10°, respectively. Compared with the normal model, the range of activity of the internal fixation model in all directions was significantly reduced (<3°), and the reduction ratio of activity was more than 90%. Conclusion:The posterior route through pillow slope screw internal fixation system can effectively reduce the range of motion of the occipital neck in flexion, extension, lateral bending and rotation, and has safe and reliable biomechanical stability.

Objective:To investigate the safety of posterior atlantoaxial transarticular screw combined with atlas pedicle screw fixation in Chinese.Methods:CT data of upper cervical spine in 48 patients were collected from Ningbo No.6 Hospital, including 26 males and 22 females aged 26-58 years [(37.3±13.5)years]. All CT data was transformed into 3D dimensional model and inserted with virtual screws by Mimics 19.0. Firstly, the vertical plane P 1 and the horizontal plane P 2 of the atlas were built in those atlantoaxial models, secondly the atlantoaxial transarticular screw S 0 was inserted by Margel method, and it's insertion point was located at 3 mm lateral and 2 mm cephalad in the C 2 inferior articular process. Finally, four atlas pedicle screws were inserted at the midline of atlas lateral mass. The four screws are inserted as follows. S 1: the screw was tangent to the lateral side of the S 0 or the medial of the atlas pedicle. S 2: the screw was tangent to the lateral wall of the atlas pedicle. S 3: the screw was tangent to the upper wall of the atlas pedicle. S 4: the screw was tangent to the inferior wall of the atlas pedicle. The angles between S 1, S 2 and P 1 as the camber angle, and the angle between S 3, S 4 and P 2 as the gantry angle were measured. Then the safety range of camber angle and gantry angle were calculated, and the screw length of S 1, S 2, S 3 and S 4 was measured. In all models, the camber angle and gantry angle of the screws were adjusted an interval of 2°, the number of successful cases was calculated and the success rate of insertion was calculated. Results:All 3D models were inserted successfully. The minimum value, maximum value and safety range of the camber angle of atlas pedicle screws were (-6.7±5.2)°, (10.4± 4.3)°, (17.1±3.7)°, respectively; and of the gantry angle were (-0.5±3.5)°, (11.0±5.8)°, (11.5±4.9)°, respectively. The length of screw placement was S 1: (31.1±2.4)mm, S 2: (28.3±2.5)mm, S 3: (29.2±3.8)mm, S 4: (29.6±3.0)mm, respectively ( P<0.05). When the camber angle was from -1°to 5°, the success rate of screw placement was 87.5%; when inserting with 2° camber angle, the success rate was 100%; when the gantry angle was 5°, the success rate was 93.8%. Conclusion:The posterior atlantoaxial transarticular screw combined with atlas pedicle screw can achieve satisfy insertion length and success rate.

Objective The concentrations of Th1/Th2/Th17 cytokines were compared in acute and chronic patients with brucellosis in order to understand the immune characteristics of acute and chronic brucellosis. Methods Using forward-looking design, 35 acute and 35 chronic patients with brucellosis were selected before treatment from the Endemic Disease Prevention and Control Center of Wulanchabu City as the research subjects with 25 local healthy persons as the healthy control group from March to June 2018. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method was used to determine the serum levels of Th1 cell cytokines interferon-γ(IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), and interleukin-12 (IL-12); Th2 cell cytokines interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-10 (IL-10);and Th17 cell cytokines interleukin-17 (IL-17). Results There were totally 25 patients in the control group, aged (46.48 ± 9.74) years, 15 males and 10 females;35 patients with acute brucellosis, aged(54.00 ± 7.65) years, 23 males and 12 females; and 35 patients with chronic brucellosis, aged (49.04 ± 8.24) years, 22 males and 13 females. The means of IFN-γ[(280.50 ± 40.48), (462.79 ± 47.94), (431.91 ± 40.39) ng/L], TNF-α[(292.17 ± 31.45), (481.21 ± 43.14), (433.70 ± 41.23) ng/L], IL-12 [(45.13 ± 5.55), (70.74 ± 7.58), (62.56 ± 5.73) ng/L], IL-4 [(383.24 ± 53.98), (606.11 ± 51.86), (550.66 ± 51.56) ng/L], IL-6 [(14.48 ± 2.17), (23.54 ± 2.39), (21.89 ± 2.26) ng/L], IL-10 [(140.48 ± 110.97), (464.49 ± 52.10), (404.73 ± 52.10) ng/L], and IL-17 [(13.71 ± 1.58), (23.79 ± 2.15), (21.37 ± 2.26) ng/L] were significantly different between control group, acute brucellosis group and chronic brucellosis group (F = 126.13, 152.58, 106.81, 139.28, 113.80, 155.86, 152.91, P < 0.05). Compared to control group, the levels of the seven cytokines in acute brucellosis and chronic brucellosis groups were significantly increased before treatment (P < 0.05). The levels of all of the seven cytokines in acute brucellosis group were significantly increased compared to chronic brucellosis group before treatment (P < 0.05). Conclusions There is a difference in the expression of Th1/Th2/Th17 cytokines in patients with acute and chronic brucellosis group. In the acute brucellosis group, the cell immunity induced by Th1 cells and the humoral immunity guided by Th2 cells are stronger than those in chronic brucellosis group.

Objective: To observe interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-17 (IL-17), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels in acute and chronic brucellosis before and after antibiotics treatment in order to assess the bone resorption. Methods: Using group design, 36 acute and 36 chronic brucellosis before antibiotics treatment, and 36 acute and 36 chronic brucellosis after antibiotics treatment from the Endemic Disease Prevention and Control Center of Ulanqab City were selected as the research subjects, with 25 local healthy persons as the healthy control group from January to April 2017. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method was used to determine the serum levels of IL-6, IL-17, and TNF-α in acute brucellosis, chronic brucellosis and control groups before and after antibiotics treatment. Results: The means of IL-6 [(23.19 ± 2.51), (21.93 ± 2.27), (14.52 ± 2.08) ng/L], IL-17 [(23.55 ± 2.24), (21.43 ± 2.44), (13.69 ± 1.85) ng/L], and TNF-α [(478.97 ± 47.11), (434.67 ± 42.11), (290.19 ± 34.67) ng/L] were significantly different in the acute brucellosis, chronic brucellosis and control groups before antibiotics treatment (F= 113.91, 152.88, 153.49, P < 0.01); compared to control group, the levels of IL-6, IL-17, and TNF-α in acute brucellosis and chronic brucellosis groups were significantly increased before antibiotics treatment (P < 0.05); the levels of IL-6, IL-17, and TNF-α in acute brucellosis group were significantly increased compared to those of chronic brucellosis group before antibiotics treatment (P < 0.05). The means of IL-6 [(17.83 ± 2.31), (18.45 ± 2.15), (14.52 ± 2.08) ng/L], IL-17 [(17.58 ± 2.21), (18.56 ± 2.29), (13.69 ± 1.85) ng/L], and TNF-α [(370.73 ± 41.04), (375.46 ± 44.61), (290.19 ± 34.67) ng/L] were significantly different in the acute brucellosis, chronic brucellosis and control groups after antibiotics treatment (F=25.94, 39.96, 38.30, P < 0.01); compared to the control group, the levels of IL-6, IL-17, and TNF-α in acute brucellosis and chronic brucellosis groups were significantly increased after antibiotics treatment (P < 0.05); the levels of IL-6, IL-17, and TNF-α in acute brucellosis group were not significantly different compared to those of the chronic brucellosis group after antibiotics treatment (P > 0.05). Conclusions This study shows that before antibiotics treatment, the bone resorption-related cytokines IL-6, IL-17, and TNF-α of acute brucellosis are higher than those of chronic brucellosis. Antibiotic treatment can significantly reduce their levels and may affect bone resorption in patients with brucellosis.