Objective To compare the dosimetric differences, plan complexity, verification pass rate, and execution efficiency of volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) plans designed for post-mastectomy radiotherapy of breast cancer using Halcyon 2.0 and VitalBeam accelerators in flattening filter-free mode. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on imaging data from 87 female breast cancer patients aged 29 to 75 (49.9 ± 9.9) years who underwent modified radical mastectomy followed by radiotherapy. VMAT plans were designed using both VitalBeam and Halcyon accelerators in flattening filter-free mode. The dosimetric parameters, plan complexity, verification pass rate, and execution efficiency were compared between the plans designed for both accelerators, with a significance level of P<0.05. Results In terms of target volume parameters, Halcyon 2.0 plans demonstrated superior homogeneity index and conformity index. For organs at risk, the Halcyon 2.0 plans showed lower doses for the lungs (D_20% and D_mean) and heart (D_mean) compared to the VitalBeam plans (all P<0.05). Regarding plan complexity, Halcyon 2.0 plans exhibited better median average aperture area variation (0.35 ± 0.02), smaller aperture score, and larger median plan aperture area than VitalBeam plans (all P<0.05). However, VitalBeam plans had a superior median modulation complexity score (0.28 ± 0.01) compared to Halcyon 2.0 plans (P<0.05). Patient plans were assessed using the ArcCHECK phantom, revealing higher pass rates and significantly shorter execution time for Halcyon plans compared to VitalBeam plans (P<0.05). Conclusion Both Halcyon 2.0 and VitalBeam accelerators can provide high-quality VMAT plans for postoperative radiotherapy of breast cancer, with excellent verification pass rates ensuring treatment accuracy and efficacy. However, Halcyon 2.0 offers lower plan complexity, simplifies the treatment planning process, and reduces execution time, thereby achieving higher treatment efficiency and demonstrating greater advantages in clinical applications.

Objective: To investigate the influencing factors of snoring among people with high risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), so as to provide evidence for improving sleep respiratory health and preventing and controlling cardiovascular disease risks. Methods: From May to July 2021, a multi-stage cluster random sampling method was used to select individuals aged 35 to 70 years at high risk of ASCVD in Shaoxing City, Zhejiang Province, as the study subjects. Data on demographic information, disease history, lifestyle, and anthropometric and biochemical indicators (including height, weight, waist circumference, and blood biochemical parameters) were collected through questionnaire surveys, physical examinations, and laboratory tests. Snoring was assessed using the Berlin Questionnaire. Factors affecting snoring were analyzed using a multivariable logistic regression model. Results: A total of 1 695 individuals were surveyed, including 940 males (55.46%) and 755 females (44.54%), with a mean age of (62.56±6.08) years. Snoring was reported in 383 individuals, accounting for 22.60%. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that males(OR=1.410, 95%CI: 1.102-1.803), with a history of hypertension (OR=1.714, 95%CI: 1.220-2.406), who were overweight (OR=1.608, 95%CI:1.189-2.163) or obese (OR=1.603, 95%CI: 1.056-2.434), and with increased waist circumference (OR=1.020, 95%CI: 1.001-1.039) had a higher likelihood of snoring among the ASCVD high-risk people. Conclusion The prevalence of snoring among people with high risk of ASCVD was 22.60%, primarily influenced by gender, history of hypertension, body mass index, and waist circumference.

Objective: To investigate the influencing factors for sarcopenia among the elderly, so as to provide the evidence for developing prevention and control strategies for sarcopenia among the elderly. Methods: From April 2023 to October 2025, a multi-stage stratified cluster sampling method was used to select elderly individuals aged ≥60 years in Shaoxing City, Zhejiang Province as survey participants. Demographic information, lifestyle behaviors, and indicators including height, weight, and waist circumference were collected through questionnaire surveys and physical examinations, and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Appendicular skeletal muscle mass was measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis, and the appendicular skeletal muscle mass index was calculated. Muscle strength and physical function were assessed using handgrip strength test and 6-meter gait speed test. Sarcopenia was diagnosed according to the 2019 Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia Consensus on Diagnosis and Treatment. Factors affecting sarcopenia among the elderly were analyzed using a multivariable logistic regression model. Results: A total of 4 095 elderly individuals were surveyed, with a mean age of (71.17±6.89) years. There were 1 773 males (43.30%) and 2 322 females (56.70%). Sarcopenia was detected in 539 cases, with a prevalence of 13.16% (95%CI: 12.13%-14.20%). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that elderly individuals aged ≥70 years (70-<80 years, OR=2.709, 95%CI: 2.069-3.547; 80-<90 years, OR=10.574, 95%CI: 7.615-14.681; ≥90 years, OR=16.729, 95%CI: 6.681-41.887), those with underweight (OR=5.239, 95%CI: 3.394-8.807), and those who did not consume meat and poultry daily (OR=7.739, 95%CI: 5.871-10.202) had a higher risk of sarcopenia. Conversely, the elderly with overweight or obesity (OR=0.071, 95%CI: 0.050-0.100) had a lower risk of sarcopenia. Conclusions The risk of sarcopenia among the elderly was associated with age, BMI, and meat and poultry intake. For the elderly with advanced age or low BMI, optimizing dietary patterns and promoting appropriate physical activity are recommended.

Objective:To identify candidate strains of Nontoxigenic Clostridioides difficile (NTCD) with potential for intervention in Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) and analyze their phenotypic characteristics. Methods:A total of 713 Clostridioides difficile strains from various sources were systematically collected nationwide between 2015 and 2023. This included 649 strains isolated from human fecal samples and 64 strains isolated from the fecal samples of farmed animals. NTCD strains were preliminarily screened through toxin gene detection and antibiotic sensitivity test, and then NTCD candidate strains with potential for intervention in CDI were screened by a series of in vitro experiments, including MLST, sporulation, germination, adhesion, motility, and biofilm formation ability. Ultimately, the virulence genes and antimicrobial resistance genes of the candidate strains were comprehensively analyzed to rigorously assess their safety profiles. Results:Among 713 strains of C. difficile from different sources, 10 strains were initially screened out, which were non-toxin-producing and sensitive to antibiotics. MLST showed that seven strains were from the Clade1 branch and three strains were of a novel type. The results of sporulation and germination showed that SD59, SD178, SJZ17, and WZ142 had stronger sporulation and germination abilities. The adhesion of 10 strains was high, and the adhesion rate was between 72.93% and 99.32%. The motility of all strains was different, and the motility of SD178, SD59 and SJZ17 was stronger. The biofilm-forming ability of all strains was weak. SD59, SD178 and SJZ17 carried a limited number of virulence and resistance genes, thereby posing a relatively low safety risk. Conclusion:Three NTCD strains are successfully selected as potential effective NTCD strains to interfere with CDI.

Objective:To identify factors associated with depressive symptoms in maintenance hemodialysis patients and to examine the relationship between these symptoms and mortality.Methods:Between January and December 2019, patients who received maintenance hemodialysis in the Blood Purification Center of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University were enrolled in a prospective cohort study. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the internationally validated patient health questionnaire-8 (PHQ-8). Sleep quality and anxiety were measured with the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) and the generalized anxiety disorder-7 (GAD-7) scale, respectively. Follow-up continued until December 31, 2022, with all-cause mortality as the primary outcome. Ordinal logistic regression was used to identify independent predictors of depression severity. Cox proportional hazards models evaluated the association between depressive symptoms and mortality.Results:A total of 532 maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients completed the study. Among them, 177 (33.3%) exhibited depressive symptoms. Compared with patients without depression, those with mild or moderate-to-severe depression were older [median age: 58 (50, 66) vs. 60 (55, 65) vs. 55 (46, 64)], more likely to smoke [35.9% (51/142) vs. 40.0% (14/35) vs.26.2% (93/355)], had poorer sleep quality [PSQI: 9 (6, 13) vs. 12 (9, 17) vs. 5 (3, 9)], and higher anxiety levels [GAD-7: 1 (0, 3) vs. 3 (1, 6) vs. 0 (0, 1)], the differences among the three groups were statistically significant (all P<0.05). Ordinal logistic regression identified smoking status, history of diabetes or cardiovascular disease, hemoglobin level, PSQI score, and GAD-7 score as independent predictors of depression severity ( OR=1.60, 1.80, 1.81, 0.98, 3.67, 8.67; all P<0.05). After a median follow-up of 40 (35, 44) months, 109 patients died, including 66 (60.6%) from cardio-cerebrovascular causes and 24 (22.0%) from infections. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed significantly lower cumulative survival in the depression group compared to the non-depression group ( P<0.001). Cox regression analysis demonstrated that depressive symptoms remained independently associated with all-cause mortality after adjusting for confounders ( HR=1.06, 95% CI 1.00-1.13, P=0.048), with an even stronger association observed for patients with PHQ-8 scores≥2.9 ( HR=1.10, 95% CI 1.03-1.16, P=0.005). However, the associations between depression and cardio-cerebrovascular mortality ( P=0.111) or infection-related mortality ( P=0.509) were not statistically significant. Conclusions:Depressive symptoms are prevalent among maintenance hemodialysis patients and are independently associated with increased all-cause mortality. Smoking, comorbid diabetes or cardiovascular disease, low hemoglobin level, poor sleep quality, and anxiety are risk factors contributing to depression. Maintenance hemodialysis patients with PHQ-8 scores≥3 should be considered at heightened risk for mortality.

[Purpose]To analyze global epidemic status of colorectal cancer and explore the rela-tionship between the human development index(HDI)and the burden of colorectal cancer.[Methods]Based on the GLOBOCAN 2022 estimation data,the disease burden of colorectal can-cer in different regions,countries,and levels of HDI were analyzed.Spearman's rank test was used to explore the correlation between HDI and colorectal cancer disease burden.[Results]The estimated global incidence of colorectal cancer in 2022 was 1 926 425 cases(1 069 446 for male and 856 979 for female),with a age-standardized incidence rate of 18.4/105(21.9/105 for male and 15.2/105 for female),and cumulative risk of incidence of 2.10％(2.60％for male and 1.70％for female);the estimated number of deaths was 904 019(499 775 for male and 404 244 for fe-male),with a age-standardized mortality rate of 8.1/105(9.9/105 for male and 6.5/105 for female)and cumulative risk of death of 0.84％(1.00％for male and 0.65％for female).1-crude mortality rate/crude incidence rate(1-M/I)was 0.53(0.53 for male and 0.53 for female).Large disparities were in the disease burden of colorectal cancer between different regions and countries.After grouped by HDI,we found that the age-standardized incidence rates in very high,high,median,and low HDI regions were 28.6/105,18.1/105,6.7/105,and 6.4/105,and the standardized mortality rates were 10.5/105,8.3/105,3.9/105,and 4.5/105,with 1-M/I of 0.57,0.52,0.43 and 0.30,respec-tively;and the incidence and mortality rates were increasing with age.Spearman's correlation analysis showed a strong positive correlation between HDI and colorectal cancer in age-standardized incidence(r=0.84),age-standardized mortality(r=0.71)and 1-M/I(r=0.82)(all P＜0.001).[Con-clusion]The global burden of colorectal cancer remains high.There are disparities in the disease burden among countries and regions,which is positively correlated with their HDI levels,indicating that the colorectal cancer prevention and treatment strategies should be developed based on the conditions of each regions and countries accordingly.

[Purpose]To analyze the incidence trend and age,period,cohort effects of brain and other central nervous system tumors(brain tumor)in Qidong City of Jiangsu Province from 1972 to 2021.[Methods]The incidence data of brain tumor from 1972 to 2021 were collected from the Qidong cancer registry database.The crude incidence rate(CR),age-standardized rate by Chi-nese standard population(ASRC),age-standardized rate by world standard population(ASRW)and average annual percentage change(AAPC)were calculated.The age-period-cohort(APC)model was used to analyze the age,period,and cohort effects of brain tumor incidence in Qidong City from 1972 to 2021.[Results]A total of 2 801 cases of brain tumor occurred in Qidong City from 1972 to 2021,including 1 475 male cases and 1 326 female cases.From 1972-1976 to 2017-2021,the CR increased from 1.81/10 5 to 9.28/10 5,the ASRC increased from 2.07/10 5 to 4.96/10 5,and ASRW increased from 2.00/105 to 4.98/105.From 1972 to 2021 the AAPC of CR,ASRC and ASRW were 3.97％(3.53％for male and 4.37％for female),2.02％(1.66％for male and 2.24％for female)and 2.06％(1.63％for male and 2.24％for female)(all P＜0.001).The Wald's Chi-square test of the APC model showed that there were significant differences in the trends of age,period and birth cohort effect of brain tumor risk(all P＜0.05).The age effect showed that the incidence of brain tumor increased with age,starting from the age group of 45～49 years old and reaching a peak of 25.84/10 5 in age group of 75～79 years old(95％CI:21.17/10 5～31.53/10 5).The period ef-fect showed that the risk of recent period was higher than that in the early period using 1992-1996 period as the reference,reaching the highest in 2012-2016(RR=1.64,95％CI:1.38～1.95).The birth cohort effect showed that the highest risk was in 2017-2021 births cohort(RR=11.17,95％CI:4.26～29.26)using 1952-1956 birth cohort as the reference.[Conclusion]The incidence of brain tumor in Qidong City has been rising;and age,period and cohort are the main influencing factors,suggesting that the middle-aged and elderly population should be the focus of brain tumor prevention and control.

Tracheal intubation is the most commonly used way to establish artificial airway in intensive care unit patients, and it is the premise of respiratory support and treatment, the success of extubation is an important basis to measure the prognosis of patients. Influenced by many factors, extubation of patients may fail, resulting in prolonged hospitalization, increased medical expenses and increased incidence of complications. This article reviews the literature at home and abroad, and summarizes the main mechanism, risk factors and prevention strategies of extubation failure in intensive care unit patients, aiming at improving the recognition ability of clinical medical staff for extubation failure and providing reference for clinical management and follow-up research.

Objective:To evaluate the dosimetric characteristics of intensity-modulated proton therapy (IMPT) and photon volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) in radiation therapy planning for patients with bilateral breast cancer after breast-conserving surgery.Methods:On the computed tomography localization images of 18 patients with bilateral breast cancer, target volumes and organs at risk were contoured to develop both IMPT and VMAT plans for each patient. Two IMPT plans were designed based on the clinical target volume (CTV) with robust optimization (RO-IMPT) and the planning target volume (PTV) without RO (NonRO-IMPT), respectively. The RO-IMPT, NonRO-IMPT, and VMAT plans were normalized such that the prescription dose could cover 95% of the target volume. The dosimetric parameters of target volumes and organs at risk were evaluated, and the dosimetric characteristics of the two techniques were compared.Results:In terms of target volumes, the RO-IMPT group showed significantly lower D1%, Dmean, and homogeneity index (HI) and a significantly higher D99% of the CTV than those of the PTV in the VMAT group ( t=-8.96, -8.21, -8.13, 4.96, P<0.05). The NonRO-IMPT group showed significantly lower D1%, Dmean, and HI and a significantly higher conformity index of the PTV than those of the PTV in the VMAT group ( t=-7.75, -6.25, -6.11, 7.53, P<0.05). In terms of organs at risk, the two IMPT groups showed significantly lower values than the VMAT group for the V5- V30 and Dmean of the whole lungs, V5- V40 and Dmean of the heart, D1% and Dmean of the left anterior descending coronary artery, D1% of the spinal cord, Dmean of normal tissues, and Dmean of the skin ( t= -28.47 to -3.25, P<0.05). There was no significant difference in any other evaluation indices ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Both IMPT and VMAT can meet the clinical requirements of radiotherapy plans following breast-conserving surgery for bilateral breast cancer. IMPT has apparent advantages over VMAT in protecting organs at risk.

Objective:To identify candidate strains of Nontoxigenic Clostridioides difficile (NTCD) with potential for intervention in Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) and analyze their phenotypic characteristics. Methods:A total of 713 Clostridioides difficile strains from various sources were systematically collected nationwide between 2015 and 2023. This included 649 strains isolated from human fecal samples and 64 strains isolated from the fecal samples of farmed animals. NTCD strains were preliminarily screened through toxin gene detection and antibiotic sensitivity test, and then NTCD candidate strains with potential for intervention in CDI were screened by a series of in vitro experiments, including MLST, sporulation, germination, adhesion, motility, and biofilm formation ability. Ultimately, the virulence genes and antimicrobial resistance genes of the candidate strains were comprehensively analyzed to rigorously assess their safety profiles. Results:Among 713 strains of C. difficile from different sources, 10 strains were initially screened out, which were non-toxin-producing and sensitive to antibiotics. MLST showed that seven strains were from the Clade1 branch and three strains were of a novel type. The results of sporulation and germination showed that SD59, SD178, SJZ17, and WZ142 had stronger sporulation and germination abilities. The adhesion of 10 strains was high, and the adhesion rate was between 72.93% and 99.32%. The motility of all strains was different, and the motility of SD178, SD59 and SJZ17 was stronger. The biofilm-forming ability of all strains was weak. SD59, SD178 and SJZ17 carried a limited number of virulence and resistance genes, thereby posing a relatively low safety risk. Conclusion:Three NTCD strains are successfully selected as potential effective NTCD strains to interfere with CDI.