AIM: To observe the characteristics of best corrected visual acuity(BCVA), microperimetry(MP), multifocal electroretinogram(mfERG), and optical coherence tomography angiography(OCTA)parameters in patients with idiopathic epiretinal membrane(IERM), and conduct a comparative study and correlation analysis on these parameters.METHODS:This was a cross-sectional study. A total of 56 patients(56 eyes)diagnosed with IERM who visited our hospital between February 2021 and November 2024 were collected as IERM group, and 33 healthy individuals(33 eyes)undergoing physical examinations were included as control group. Parameters were compared between the IERM group and the control group, as well as among IERM subgroups at different stages. Additionally, correlations among visual function parameters and between these visual function parameters and vascular structural OCTA parameters were analyzed.RESULTS: The general data of patients in the control group and IERM group were comparable. In the IERM group, BCVA, retinal sensitivity(RS), P1 wave amplitude in ring 1, superficial capillary plexus parafoveal vessel density(SCPpfvd), deep capillary plexus parafoveal vessel density(DCPpfvd), and the foveal avascular zone(FAZ)area were significantly lower than the control group(all P<0.01). In contrast, central retinal thickness(CRT), superficial capillary plexus foveal vessel density(SCPfvd), and deep capillary plexus foveal vessel density(DCPfvd)were significantly increased(all P<0.001). When comparing different stages of IERM, significant differences were observed in BCVA, CRT, RS, SCPfvd, and FAZ(all P<0.01). In eyes affected by IERM, BCVA(LogMAR)was negatively correlated with RS; P1 wave amplitude in ring 1 positively correlated with P1 wave implicit time in ring 1; SCPfvd positively correlated with BCVA(LogMAR)and negatively correlated with RS; DCPfvd negatively correlated with P1 wave implicit time in ring 1; and DCPpfvd positively correlated with RS(all P<0.05).CONCLUSION: Eyes with IERM exhibit abnormalities in visual function parameters and vascular structure, with varying degrees of alteration in BCVA, CRT, RS, SCPfvd, and FAZ across different stages. Comprehensive evaluation of BCVA, MP, mfERG, and OCTA contributes to a deeper understanding of the nature of IERM and aids in formulating appropriate diagnosis and treatment plans.

Objective To summarize the isolation and drug resistance rate of Escherichia coliin The First Hospital of China Medical University over the past 10 years,in order to provide evidence for the efficacies of clinical anti-infection treatments.Methods The data was collected from Escherichia coli isolated from patients treated at The First Hospital of China Medical University between 2013 and 2022.VITEK 2 and VITEK MS were used for bacterial identification,VITEK2 and KB method were used for drug sensi-tivity testing,and WHONET 5.6 software was used for analysis.Results From 2013 to 2022,6 845 strains were isolated,including 80.5%from inpatients and 19.5%from emergency and outpatients.The specimens were most commonly found in the urine(57.8%),blood(15.0%),secretions(9.2%),and drainage fluid(8.1%).The isolation rate of extended-spectrumβ-lactamase(ESBL)producing Escherichia coli was 57.2%(54.3%to 61.5%).The drug resistance rate of Escherichia coli to carbapenems was low,at only 1.2%(0.2%to 2.6%).Conclusion Escherichia coli remains an important pathogen in clinical infections,with varying degrees of resist-ance to multiple antibiotics,and the resistance rate is increasing.Clinical physicians should pay sufficient attention to this issue.

[Objective] To evaluate the effects of preoperative ureteroscopy (URS) on the prognosis of patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) after radical nephroureterectomy (RNU). [Methods] Data of 712 UTUC patients who received RNU in West China Hospital during May 2003 and Jun.2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into URS group (n=187) and non-URS group (n=525) according to whether URS was performed before RNU. Kaplan-Meier curves were used to analyze the overall survival (OS), cancer-specific survival (CSS), and intravesical recurrence-free survival (IVRFS). Cox proportional risk model was used for risk assessment. Subgroup analysis and interaction test were used to further verify the results. [Results] Significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of body mass index (BMI), diabetes mellitus, surgical method, hydronephrosis, tumor location, tumor grade, lymph node metastasis, lymphovascular invasion and tumor diameter (P<0.05). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that IVRFS was significantly lower in the URS group than in the non-URS group (P<0.001), and the difference was more pronounced in renal pelvis carcinoma (P<0.001); there were no differences in OS and CSS between the two groups (P>0.05). Cox multivariate regression showed that URS was an independent risk factor for intravesical recurrence (HR=2.12, 95%CI: 1.34-3.36, P<0.001). [Conclusion] Preoperative URS can increase the recurrence rate of UTUC, but it has no effect on the OS and CSS.

Emerging research suggests a potential association of progression of Alzheimer's disease(AD)with al-terations in synaptic currents and mitochondrial dynamics.However,the specific associations between these pathological changes remain unclear.In this study,we utilized Aβ42-induced AD rats and primary neural cells as in vivo and in vitro models.The investigations included behavioural tests,brain magnetic resonance imaging(MRI),liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(UPLC-MS/MS)analysis,Nissl staining,thioflavin-S staining,enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay,Golgi-Cox staining,trans-mission electron microscopy(TEM),immunofluorescence staining,proteomics,adenosine triphosphate(ATP)detection,mitochondrial membrane potential(MMP)and reactive oxygen species(ROS)assess-ment,mitochondrial morphology analysis,electrophysiological studies,Western blotting,and molecular docking.The results revealed changes in synaptic currents,mitophagy,and mitochondrial dynamics in the AD models.Remarkably,intervention with Dengzhan Shengmai(DZSM)capsules emerged as a pivotal element in this investigation.Aβ42-induced synaptic dysfunction was significantly mitigated by DZSM intervention,which notably amplified the frequency and amplitude of synaptic transmission.The cognitive impairment observed in AD rats was ameliorated and accompanied by robust protection against structural damage in key brain regions,including the hippocampal CA3,primary cingular cortex,prelimbic system,and dysgranular insular cortex.DZSM intervention led to increased IDE levels,augmented long-term potential(LTP)amplitude,and enhanced dendritic spine density and length.Moreover,DZSM intervention led to favourable changes in mitochondrial parameters,including ROS expression,MMP and ATP contents,and mitochondrial morphology.In conclusion,our findings delved into the realm of altered synaptic currents,mitophagy,and mitochondrial dynamics in AD,concurrently highlighting the therapeutic potential of DZSM intervention.

Objective To analyze pathogen distribution and drug resistance in a tertiary hospital in Shenyang in 2022 and provide evi-dence-based guidance for this and other hospitals to formulate antibacterial drug application strategies.Methods In 2022,bacterial iso-lates collected from patients in a tertiary hospital in Shenyang were identified and subjected to drug sensitivity tests based on the require-ments of the national clinical laboratory operation procedures.The data were analyzed using Whonet 5.6 software.Results In total,4968 pathogenic strains were isolated from this hospital in 2022.The top five isolates were Escherichia coli,Klebsiella pneumoniae,Acineto-bacter baumannii,Enterococcus faecalis,and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.The resistance rates of Escherichia coliand Klebsiella pneumo-niaeto carbapenems were 1.9%and 17.7%,respectively.The resistance rates of Enterobacter cloacaeto imipenem and meropenem were 26.7%and 25.0%,respectively.The isolation rate of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA)was 15.6%.The resistance rates of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcusand linezolid-resistant Enterococcus faecaliswere 7.1%and 11.6%,respectively.The resist-ance rates of tropical yeasts to fluconazole was>20%.Conclusion The distribution and drug resistance of pathogens in this hospital differed from those in other regions of China.The drug resistance of strains in this hospital should be closely monitored to understand the distribution and drug resistance of pathogens in a timely manner and to provide guidance for the diagnosis and treatment of infections.

Objective:To analyze the long-term cumulative survival and tumor-free survival of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients after liver transplantation, as well as the influencing factors.Methods:We conducted a retrospective study on 228 HCC patients receiving liver transplantation from May 1, 2000 to May 1, 2012 at the Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Peking University People's Hospital. A total of 166 patients met the recruit criteria. The patients' perioperative data and follow-up data were collected. We analyzed the cumulative survival and tumor-free survival of the recipients, as well as the influencing factors.Results:The 1-, 5- and 10-year cumulative survival of the 166 HCC patients were 80.7%, 52.4% and 45.8%, respectively, while the 1-, 5- and 10-year tumor-free survival of these patients were 60.2%, 47.6% and 44.0%, respectively. Among these patients,a total of 96 recipients met the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) criteria, whose 1-, 5- and 10-year cumulative survival were 83.3%, 66.7%, and 59.4%, respectively, and tumor-free survival were 74.0%, 62.5% and 57.3%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that beyond the UCSF criteria, alpha fetoprotein (AFP) ≥ 400 ng/ml before transplantation and poorly differentiated carcinoma were independent factors affecting cumulative survival and tumor-free survival ( P < 0.05). Conclusions:Liver transplantation is an effective treatment of HCC. Besides the size and the number of the tumors, AFP ≥ 400 ng/ml before transplantation and poorly differentiated tumors are independent factors affecting the long-term cumulative survival and tumor-free survival of HCC patients.

Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics of PHPT in elderly patients, as well as the safety and effectiveness of surgical treatment.Methods:179 patients with PHPT treated from Jan. 2000 to Dec. 2020 were analyzed retrospectively. They were divided into elderly group ( n=51) and non-elderly group ( n=128) according to whether they were over 60 years old at the time of operation. The clinical data of symptoms, complications, preoperative and postoperative blood calcium, phosphorus, ALP, PTH, surgical cure rate and complication rate of the two groups were analyzed retrospectively. T-test was used for measurement data comparison. χ2 test was used for enumeration data comparison and single factor analysis. Logistic regression analysis (forward method) was used for multivariate analysis. Results:The proportion of non-specific symptoms in the elderly group, including fatigue, dizziness, loss of appetite, memory decline, was higher than that in the non-elderly group (21.6% vs 8.6%, P=0.019) . Elderly patients had lower blood ALP level[ (163.4±229.8) U/L vs (325.9±449.2) U/L, P=0.016], higher proportion of preoperative hypertension (47.1% vs 21.1%, P=0.001) , diabetes (31.4% vs 10.9%, P=0.001) , coronary heart disease (13.7% vs 3.1%, P=0.013) and tumor (13.7% vs 3.9%, P=0.025) . High proportion of non-specific symptoms was related to higher blood calcium [ OR=4.936 (95% CI 1.126-21.637) , P=0.034] and lower blood phosphorus[ OR=0.011 (95% CI 0.000-0.650) , P=0.030]. Between the two groups there was no significant difference in cure rate (94.1% vs 96.1%, P=0.564) or complication rate (27.5% vs 44.5%, P=0.127) . Conclusions:The surgical treatment of elderly patients with PHPT also has high effectiveness and safety. More attention should be paid to surgical diagnosis and treatment of elderly patients.

Objective To measure the specificactivity of natural and synthetic radionuclides in the environmental soil of Panjin, China and determine the content of radionuclides in the surface soil, and to conduct a scientific assessment of the radiation health risks of residents in this area. Methods Thirty-one surface soil samples were collected within the jurisdiction of Panjin, and a high-purity germanium detector was used for γ spectrum analysis to obtain the content of radionuclides and the current environmental radioactivity level. The two independent samples mean t-test was used to compare the specific activity data of radionuclides in soil samples between Panjin and Liaoning Province or China. Results The meanspecific activities of natural radionuclides ²³⁸U, ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th, ⁴⁰K, and synthetic radionuclide ¹³⁷Cs in the surface soil samples of Panjin were 18.7 Bq/kg, 19.6 Bq/kg, 23.5 Bq/kg, 604.6 Bq/kg, and 0.9 Bq/kg, respectively. Conclusion The specific activities of natural and synthetic radionuclides in the surface soil samples of Panjin Area at the background level, causing a very low health risk to the people in this area.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the therapeutic effect between acupuncture combined with ibuprofen sustained-release capsule and simple ibuprofen sustained-release capsule on chronic pelvic pain (CPP) after pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). METHODS: A total of 144 patients were randomized into an observation group (72 cases, 10 cases dropped off) and a control group (72 cases, 9 cases dropped off). Ibuprofen sustained-release capsule was given orally in the control group, one capsule a time. On the basis of the treatment in the control group, acupuncture was applied at Guanyuan (CV 4), Shuidao (ST 28), Guilai (ST 29), Shenshu (BL 23) and Ciliao (BL 32), and Shuidao (ST 28), Guilai (ST 29), Shenshu (BL 23) and Ciliao (BL 32) were connected to electroacupuncture in the observation group. The treatment was given 10 days before menstruation, once a day for 3 menstrual cycles in both groups, and the follow-up was adopted 3 menstrual cycles after treatment. The visual analogue scale (VAS) scores of hypogastrium and lumbosacral region before treatment, after treatment, and at the follow-up, the score of local signs and the score of World Health Organization quality of life questionnaire-brief version (WHOQOL-BREF) before and after treatment were observed in the both groups. RESULTS: After treatment and at the follow-up, the VAS scores of hypogastrium and lumbosacral region were decreased compared before treatment in both groups ( CONCLUSION Acupuncture combined with ibuprofen sustained-release capsule can effectively improve the symptoms, signs and quality of life in patients with CPP after PID, the therapeutic effect is superior to simple ibuprofen sustained-release capsule.
Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Pelvic Inflammatory Disease/etiology* ; Pelvic Pain/etiology* ; Quality of Life ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on chronic pelvic pain in patients with sequelae of pelvic inflammatory disease. METHODS: A total of 144 patients with chronic pelvic pain were randomly divided into an observation group (72 cases, 10 cases dropped off) and a control group (72 cases, 9 cases dropped off). The patients in the control group were treated with ibuprofen sustained-release capsules 10 days before menstruation, 0.3 g each time, once a day. On the basis of the treatment of the control group, the patients in the observation group were treated with EA at Guanyuan (CV 4), Shuidao (ST 28), Guilai (ST 29), Shenshu (BL 23) and Ciliao (BL 32), disperse-dense wave, 2 Hz/15 Hz of frequency, once a day. The patients in both groups were treated for 10 days per menstrual cycle for 3 menstrual cycles. The visual analogue scale (VAS) scores of lower abdomen and lumbosacral area, local sign score, quality of life scale score and pain disappearance rate were compared between the two groups before and after treatment. RESULTS: The VAS scores of lower abdomen and lumbosacral area as well as each item score and total score of local signs in the observation group after treatment were significantly lower than those before treatment and those in the control group ( CONCLUSION EA can relieve the pain symptoms in patients with chronic pelvic pain and improve their quality of life.
Acupuncture Points ; Analgesics ; Electroacupuncture ; Female ; Humans ; Pelvic Inflammatory Disease/therapy* ; Pelvic Pain/therapy* ; Quality of Life