Objective:To retrospectively analyze the clinical features and surgical efficacy of congenital cholesteatoma （CC） and acquired cholesteatoma （AC） in children. Methods:Clinical data of 169 children with middle ear cholesteatoma were reviewed in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University from January 2010 to July 2020. The clinical characteristics, stages, surgical methods, and postoperative recurrence rates were analyzed and summarized. Results:The age distribution of enrolled children ranged from 2 to 14 years. The mean age of the CC group was （5.60±2.48） years compared with （6.45±2.48） years in the AC group, and the difference was statistically significant （P<0.05）. Preoperative hearing in the CC group was （40.06±13.52） dB HL, which was better than in the AC group at （48.40±13.84） dB HL （P<0.05）. The proportion of stage Ⅰ in the CC group was lower than that in the AC group according to EAONO/JOS staging （P<0.05）. The recurrence rate after primary surgery was 19.23% （10/52） in the CC group compared with 36.29% （45/124） in the AC group （P<0.05）. The mastoid retention rates after all operations were 28.85% （15/52） in the CC group and 5.65% （7/124） in the AC group （P<0.05）. Conclusion:Compared with congenital cholesteatoma, acquired cholesteatoma in children is more aggressive and has more complications, higher postoperative recurrence rate, and less possibility of mastoid retention. Early clinical detection and treatment are required, and canal wall-down tympanoplasty should be considered in surgery.
Humans ; Cholesteatoma, Middle Ear/congenital* ; Child ; Retrospective Studies ; Child, Preschool ; Adolescent ; Male ; Female ; Recurrence ; Cholesteatoma/congenital* ; Tympanoplasty ; Treatment Outcome

Atherosclerosis (AS) is a prevalent clinical vascular condition and serves as a pivotal pathological foundation for cardiovascular diseases. Understanding the pathogenesis of AS has significant clinical and societal implications, aiding in the development of targeted drugs. Neutrophils, the most abundant leukocytes in circulation, assume a central role during inflammatory responses and closely interact with AS, which is a chronic inflammatory vascular disease. Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are substantial reticular formations discharged by neutrophils that serve as an immune defense mechanism. These structures play a crucial role in inducing dysfunction of the vascular barrier following endothelial cell injury. Components released by NETs pose a threat to the integrity of vascular endothelium, which is essential as it acts as the primary barrier to maintain vascular wall integrity. Endothelial damage constitutes the initial stage in the onset of AS. Recent investigations have explored the intricate involvement of NETs in AS progression. The underlying structures of NETs and their active ingredients, including histone, myeloperoxidase (MPO), cathepsin G, neutrophil elastase (NE), matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), antimicrobial peptide LL-37, alpha-defensin 1-3, and high mobility group protein B1 have diverse and complex effects on AS through various mechanisms. This review aims to comprehensively examine the interplay between NETs and AS while providing insights into their mechanistic underpinnings of NETs in this condition. By shedding light on this intricate relationship, this exploration paves the way for future investigations into NETs while guiding clinical translation efforts and charting new paths for therapeutic interventions.
Extracellular Traps/physiology* ; Humans ; Atherosclerosis/immunology* ; Neutrophils/physiology* ; Leukocyte Elastase/metabolism* ; Peroxidase/physiology* ; Matrix Metalloproteinases/physiology* ; Cathepsin G/metabolism* ; Cathelicidins ; HMGB1 Protein/physiology* ; Histones ; Animals ; Endothelium, Vascular

ObjectiveTo understand the seropositivity of neutralizing antibodies (NAb) and low-level NAb against SARS-CoV-2 infection in the community residents, and to explore the impact of COVID-19 vaccination and SARS-CoV-2 infection on the levels of NAb in human serum. MethodsOn the ground of surveillance cohort for acute infectious diseases in community populations in Shanghai, a proportional stratified sampling method was used to enroll the subjects at a 20% proportion for each age group (0‒14, 15‒24, 25‒59, and ≥60 years old). Blood samples collection and serum SARS-CoV-2 NAb concentration testing were conducted from March to April 2023. Low-level NAb were defined as below the 25^th percentile of NAb. ResultsA total of 2 230 participants were included, the positive rate of NAb was 97.58%, and the proportion of low-level NAb was 25.02% (558/2 230). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that age, infection history and vaccination status were correlated with low-level NAb (all P<0.05). Individuals aged 60 years and above had the highest risk of low-level NAb. There was a statistically significant interaction between booster vaccination and one single infection (aOR=0.38, 95%CI: 0.19‒0.77). Compared to individuals without vaccination, among individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2 once, both primary immunization (aOR=0.23, 95%CI: 0.16‒0.35) and booster immunization (aOR=0.12, 95%CI: 0.08‒0.17) significantly reduced the risk of low-level NAb; among individuals without infections, only booster immunization (aOR=0.28, 95%CI: 0.14‒0.52) showed a negative correlation with the risk of low-level NAb. ConclusionsThe population aged 60 and above had the highest risk of low-level NAb. Regardless of infection history, a booster immunization could reduce the risk of low-level NAb. It is recommended that eligible individuals , especially the elderly, should get vaccinated in a timely manner to exert the protective role of NAb.

AIM: To investigate the impact of corneal fluorescein sodium(NaF)staining on the examination results of iTrace visual function analyzer(iTrace).METHODS: Prospective cohort study. Totally 100 patients(100 eyes)with ametropia who visited the outpatient department of Anhui Eye Hospital from April to November 2024 were recruited. They were divided into an experimental group and a control group, with 50 patients(50 eyes, and only the right eyes were selected for inclusion)in each group. In the experimental group, corneal staining was performed using fluorescein sodium staining test strips, while in the control group, 1 drop of 0.9% normal saline was instilled into the eyes. The iTrace examination was conducted before the intervention and at 5, 10, and 20 min after the intervention. The total corneal higher-order aberrations, spherical aberration, coma aberration, trefoil aberration, best sphere value(RO value), asphericity factor(Q value), and corneal vertical refractive power difference(IS value)at each time of examination were recorded and compared.RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in the baseline levels between the two groups(all P>0.05). Intra-group comparison revealed that the total higher-order aberrations, spherical aberration, coma aberration, and trefoil aberration measured 5 min after NaF staining in the experimental group were significantly increased compared with those before staining(all P<0.05). Inter-group comparison showed that the changes(differences from the baseline)in the total corneal higher-order aberrations, spherical aberration, coma aberration, and trefoil aberration measured by iTrace 5 min after the intervention in the experimental group were significantly greater than those in the control group(all P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the changes(differences from the baseline)of various iTrace parameters measured at 10 and 20 min after the intervention between the two groups(all P>0.05). There was no statistical significance in the RO value, Q value, and IS value in the two groups(all P>0.05).CONCLUSION: Corneal NaF staining can cause a short-term increase in the wavefront aberration values(total corneal higher-order aberrations, spherical aberration, coma aberration, trefoil aberration)measured by iTrace, and it gradually disappears with the passage of time. However, it has no impact on the measurement of corneal topography parameters(RO value, Q value, IS value).

Circadian rhythm is an endogenous biological clock mechanism that enables organisms to adapt to the earth’s alternation of day and night. It plays a fundamental role in regulating physiological functions and behavioral patterns, such as sleep, feeding, hormone levels and body temperature. By aligning these processes with environmental changes, circadian rhythm plays a pivotal role in maintaining homeostasis and promoting optimal health. However, modern lifestyles, characterized by irregular work schedules and pervasive exposure to artificial light, have disrupted these rhythms for many individuals. Such disruptions have been linked to a variety of health problems, including sleep disorders, metabolic syndromes, cardiovascular diseases, and immune dysfunction, underscoring the critical role of circadian rhythm in human health. Among the numerous systems influenced by circadian rhythm, the skin—a multifunctional organ and the largest by surface area—is particularly noteworthy. As the body’s first line of defense against environmental insults such as UV radiation, pollutants, and pathogens, the skin is highly affected by changes in circadian rhythm. Circadian rhythm regulates multiple skin-related processes, including cyclic changes in cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis, as well as DNA repair mechanisms and antioxidant defenses. For instance, studies have shown that keratinocyte proliferation peaks during the night, coinciding with reduced environmental stress, while DNA repair mechanisms are most active during the day to counteract UV-induced damage. This temporal coordination highlights the critical role of circadian rhythms in preserving skin integrity and function. Beyond maintaining homeostasis, circadian rhythm is also pivotal in the skin’s repair and regeneration processes following injury. Skin regeneration is a complex, multi-stage process involving hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling, all of which are influenced by circadian regulation. Key cellular activities, such as fibroblast migration, keratinocyte activation, and extracellular matrix remodeling, are modulated by the circadian clock, ensuring that repair processes occur with optimal efficiency. Additionally, circadian rhythm regulates the secretion of cytokines and growth factors, which are critical for coordinating cellular communication and orchestrating tissue regeneration. Disruptions to these rhythms can impair the repair process, leading to delayed wound healing, increased scarring, or chronic inflammatory conditions. The aim of this review is to synthesize recent information on the interactions between circadian rhythms and skin physiology, with a particular focus on skin tissue repair and regeneration. Molecular mechanisms of circadian regulation in skin cells, including the role of core clock genes such as Clock, Bmal1, Per and Cry. These genes control the expression of downstream effectors involved in cell cycle regulation, DNA repair, oxidative stress response and inflammatory pathways. By understanding how these mechanisms operate in healthy and diseased states, we can discover new insights into the temporal dynamics of skin regeneration. In addition, by exploring the therapeutic potential of circadian biology in enhancing skin repair and regeneration, strategies such as topical medications that can be applied in a time-limited manner, phototherapy that is synchronized with circadian rhythms, and pharmacological modulation of clock genes are expected to optimize clinical outcomes. Interventions based on the skin’s natural rhythms can provide a personalized and efficient approach to promote skin regeneration and recovery. This review not only introduces the important role of circadian rhythms in skin biology, but also provides a new idea for future innovative therapies and regenerative medicine based on circadian rhythms.

Acupuncture is considered both safe and effective for treating depression;however,its underlying mechanism remains incompletely understood.This article reviewed the mechanisms of acupuncture in depression from the perspective of brain network dynamics.It has been found abnormal alterations in the structural and functional brain networks,including the default mode network,cognitive control network,salience network and affective network in individuals with depression.Acupuncture has been shown to enhance the diffusion anisotropy value of white matter and repair the microstructure of white matter fiber bundles in key brain regions.It can also modulate the activation the functional brain networks,either globally or in specific network segments,improve functional connectivity within and between functional networks,regulate global transmission efficiency and connectivity patterns of functional networks,restore brain network interaction balance,regulate abnormal integration of functional networks,and improve emotional regulation ability and cognitive function,in order to alleviate the clinical symptoms of depression and serve as an effective antidepressant therapy,which can provide reference for the study of acupuncture intervention in the brain network mechanism of depression.

Objective Taking into account the physical and mental characteristics of patients with COPD,we develop and implement a lung rehabilitation education game software,aiming to explore more effective health education practices for COPD.Methods Drawing on the Health Belief Model theory,the game content was developed by semi-structured interviews,brainstorming sessions,and expert consultations,and it was implemented via a WeChat mini program.Patients with COPD from the respiratory department of a tertiary general hospital of Luzhou city between March and October 2023 were conveniently selected as the study subjects.Among them,40 patients from July to October 2023 were designated as an experimental group,and another 40 from March to June 2023 constituted a control group.The experimental group was provided with routine health education combined with pulmonary rehabilitation games,whereas the control group received standard health education.After the intervention,the researchers compared the COPD knowledge questionnaire scores and pulmonary rehabilitation adherence between the 2 groups,and assessed the satisfaction of both patients and nurses with the software.Results No sample detachment.The score of the COPD knowledge questionnaire in the experimental group was higher than that in the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(Z=5.361,P＜0.001).The proportion of patients in the experimental group with good adherence to pulmonary rehabilitation(85％)was significantly higher than it in the control group(25％),(x2=29.091,P＜0.001).The patients'overall satisfaction rate with the game was 95％,with operational effectiveness receiving the highest satisfaction rating at 97％.Conclusion The pulmonary rehabilitation education game for patients with COPD can improve their knowledge of COPD,enhance their compliance with pulmonary rehabilitation.Patients have high satisfaction with the software.The software enriches the clinical health education methods,which can be used in clinical practice.

Objective:To review the clinicopathological features of TFE3-rearranged renal cell carcino-ma(TFE3-RCC)with venous tumor thrombus(VT)(TFE3-VT),to explore treatment strategies and to prognostic characteristics,and to provide diagnostic and therapeutic references for TFE3-VT patients.Methods:Patients who underwent surgery at Department of Urology,Peking University Third Hospital from January 2013 to January 2024 were enrolled,including three cohorts:Pathologically confirmed TFE3-VT patients,TFE3-RCC patients without VT(TFE3-non-VT),and non-TFE3-rearranged renal cell carcinoma patients with VT(non-TFE3-VT).Clinical history,imaging data,pathological data,and follow-up records were collected.Primary and secondary endpoints were progression-free survival(PFS)and overall survival(OS),respectively.(1)Baseline characteristics were compared between the TFE3-VT and TFE3-non-VT patients.Normally distributed continuous variables were expressed as mean±SD and compared using Student's t-test;non-normally distributed variables were expressed as M(P25,P75)and analyzed with Mann-Whitney U test;categorical variables were described as frequency and percentage[n(％)]and compared by x2 test or Fisher's exact test.(2)Clinical history,radiological presenta-tions,surgical data,and histopathological features of the TFE3-VT patients were comprehensively charac-terized.(3)Survival analysis was performed for the TFE3-VT patients.Follow-up data of the TFE3-VT patients were described in detail,and their survival outcomes were compared with the TFE3-non-VT and non-TFE3-VT patients.When compared with the TFE3-non-VT counterparts,Kaplan-Meier method was used to generate PFS and OS curves among:(1)the TFE3-RCC patients across clinical stages Ⅰ-Ⅳ;(2)TFE3-VT versus TFE3-non-VT cohorts;(3)stage Ⅲ subgroups of the TFE3-VT and TFE3-non-VT patients.Intergroup survival differences were statistically evaluated using Log-rank tests.For comparisons with the non-TFE3-VT patients,a 1∶1 propensity score matching(PSM)was implemented to balance baseline characteristics between the two cohorts.Post-matching Kaplan-Meier curves were generated to compare PFS and OS between the matched groups,with Log-rank tests employed to determine statistical significance of survival disparities.All statistical analyses were conducted with R software(v 4.2.3),and two-tailed P＜0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results:The study included 45 TFE3-RCC patients:13 TFE3-VT and 32 TFE3-non-VT cases.Additionally,523 non-TFE3-VT patients were enrolled.Among the 13 TFE3-VT patients,9 were female(69.2％)and 4 male(30.8％),with a mean age of(37.9±14.4)years,mean BMI of(22.2±3.5)kg/m2,median age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index(aCCI)of 1.0(0.0,1.0),and preoperative creatinine level of(75.3±15.9)μmol/L;tumors were located in the left kidney in 7 patients(53.8％)and right kidney in 6(46.2％);preoperative distant metastasis(M1 stage)was present in 6 patients(46.2％),while 7(53.8％)showed no metastasis;VT distribution by Mayo level comprised 7 cases(53.8％)at level 0,1 case each at levels Ⅰ and Ⅳ(7.7％respectively),and 2 cases each at levels Ⅱ and Ⅲ(15.4％respectively);surgical approaches comprised open surgery(n=2,15.4％),laparoscopic surgery(n=6,46.1％),and robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery(n=5,38.5％);mean operative time was(273±79)min,and intraoperative blood loss was(722±570)mL;mean maximum tumor diameter was(10.8±2.4)cm.All the 13 patients underwent TFE3 protein immunohistochemistry(IHC)staining,with 7 confirmed by fluorescence in situ hybridization(FISH).Tumor recurrence or metastasis occurred in 11 patients(84.6％),and 9(69.2％)patients died during follow-up.Median PFS was 4 months(1 year PFS rate:31％),and median OS was 13 months(1 year OS rate:54％).Survival analysis of 45 TFE3-RCC pa-tients revealed statistically significant differences in PFS and OS across all the clinical stages(P＜0.001).The TFE3-VT patients exhibited significantly worse PFS and OS than the TFE3-non-VT patients(P＜0.001),with persistent significance in stage Ⅲ subgroup analysis(P＜0.05).After PSM,TFE3-VT pa-tients showed significantly inferior PFS compared with non-TFE3-VT(P=0.01),though no significant difference was shown between the OS curves(P=0.11).Conclusion:TFE3-VT predominantly occurs in young females with frequent preoperative metastases.Strongly-positive staining of TFE3 protein in IHC stai-ning and red-green split signals in FISH tests are reliable diagnostic markers.TFE3-VT patients exhibit in-ferior survival compared with TFE3-non-VT patients and earlier progression than non-TFE3-VT patients.

Objective:To evaluate the impact of short-term exposure to daytime heatwaves, nighttime heatwaves, and compound heatwaves on the risk of road traffic mortality and calculate the attributable mortality burden.Methods:This study collected road traffic mortality data from the Disease Surveillance System in Guangdong, Hunan, Zhejiang, Yunnan, and Jilin Provinces from 2013 to 2018. A time-stratified case-crossover design was used in this study, with the death date for each case serving as the case day. Control days were selected from the same year, month, and day of the week as the case day. A conditional logistic regression model was employed to estimate the cumulative associations of short-term exposure to daytime heatwaves, nighttime heatwaves, and compound heatwaves on the risk of road traffic mortality (lag 0-1 day) and to calculate the attributable fractions (AF).Results:Compared to non-heatwave days, the excess risk ( ER) of road traffic mortality on daytime heatwave days, nighttime heatwave days, and compound heatwave days was 5.3% (95% CI: 0.5%-10.2%), 4.9% (95% CI: 0.5%-9.4%) and 7.5% (95% CI: 2.3%- 12.9%), with corresponding AF of 5.0% (95% CI: 0.5%-9.3%), 4.7% (95% CI: 0.5%-8.6%), and 6.9% (95% CI: 2.3%-11.4%), respectively. Stratified analysis showed that the risk of traffic mortalities caused by daytime heatwaves was higher in females ( ER=15.7%, 95% CI: 5.8%-26.5%) than in males ( ER=1.8%, 95% CI: -3.6%-7.4%). Elderly individuals over 64 years old ( ER=10.9%, 95% CI: 0.3%- 22.6%) had a higher risk of road traffic mortalities from compound heatwaves than those under 45 years old ( ER=2.6%, 95% CI: -5.4%-11.2%). The risk of road traffic injury mortality from motor vehicle accidents caused by compound heatwaves ( ER=16.6%, 95% CI:2.4%-32.7%) was higher than that from non-motor vehicle accidents ( ER=5.7%, 95% CI:0.1%-11.5%). Conclusions:Short-term exposure to daytime heatwaves, nighttime heatwaves, and compound heatwaves was associated with an increased risk of road traffic mortality, with the strongest association observed for compound heatwaves. The mortality burden attributable to compound heatwaves was higher than that for daytime and nighttime heatwaves. Heatwaves were more significantly associated with road traffic mortality risk among females, elderly individuals over 64 years old, and motor vehicle accidents.

Body weight abnormalities, including overweight, obesity, and underweight, have become a dual public health challenge in Chinese adults: overweight and obesity lead to a variety of chronic complications, while underweight increases the risks of malnutrition, sarcopenia, and organ dysfunction. To systematically address these issues, multidisciplinary experts in endocrinology, sports science, nutrition, and psychiatry from various regions have held multiple weight management seminars. Based on the latest epidemiological data and clinical evidence, they expanded the guideline to include assessment and intervention strategies for underweight, in addition to the core content of obesity management. This guideline outlines the etiological mechanisms, evaluation methods, and multidimensional management strategies for overweight and obesity, covering key areas such as diagnosis and assessment, medical nutrition therapy, exercise prescription, pharmacological intervention, and psychological support. It is intended to provide a scientific and standardized approach to weight management across the adult population, aiming to curb the rising prevalence of obesity, mitigate complications associated with abnormal body weight, and improve nutritional status and overall quality of life.