BACKGROUND:Multiple observational studies have suggested a potential association between telomere length and musculoskeletal diseases.However,the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the genetic causal relationship between telomere length and musculoskeletal diseases using two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis. METHODS:Genome-wide association study summary data of telomere length were obtained from the UK Biobank.Genome-wide association study summary data of 10 common musculoskeletal diseases(osteonecrosis,osteomyelitis,osteoporosis,rheumatoid arthritis,low back pain,spinal stenosis,gout,scapulohumeral periarthritis,ankylosing spondylitis and deep venous thrombosis of lower limbs)were obtained from the FinnGen consortium.Inverse variance weighting,Mendelian randomization-Egger and weighted median methods were used to evaluate the causal relationship between telomere length and 10 musculoskeletal diseases.Inverse variance weighting was the primary Mendelian randomization analysis method,and sensitivity analysis was performed to explore the robustness of the results. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Inverse variance-weighted results indicated a negative causal relationship between genetically predicted telomere length and rheumatoid arthritis(odds ratio=0.78,95%confidence interval:0.64-0.95,P=0.015)and osteonecrosis(odds ratio=0.56,95%confidence interval:0.36-0.90,P=0.016).No causal relationship was found between telomere length and the other eight musculoskeletal diseases(all P>0.05).(2)Sensitivity analysis affirmed the robustness of these causal relationships,and Mendelian randomization-Egger intercept analysis found no evidence of potential horizontal pleiotropy(all P>0.05).(3)This Mendelian randomized study supports that telomere length has protective effects against rheumatoid arthritis and osteonecrosis.However,more basic and clinical research will be needed to support our findings in the future.

Objective To investigate the species of ticks in Suizhou City, Hubei Province, so as to provide insights into management of ticks and tick-borne diseases. Methods During the period between May 2023 and June 2024, livestock breeding farms and vegetation neighboring the place of residence of confirmed and suspected patients with tick-borne disease were selected as sampling points in rural areas from Yindian Township, Gaocheng Township, Wanhe Township, Wushan Township, Xiaolin Township, Xihe Township, Hedian Township and Beijiao Street in Suizhou City, Hubei Province, where confirmed and suspected cases with tick-borne diseases had been reported. The parasitic ticks on the body surface of free-range livestock were captured with tweezers in livestock breeding farms, and free ticks on the vegetation surface were captured with the flagging method. Morphological identification of tick samples was performed under a microscope, and the gender and developmental stage of ticks were determined. One engorged adult tick, 2 to 3 blood-feeding but non-engorged adult ticks, 10 to 15 unfed female ticks, 15 to 20 unfed male ticks, and 30 to 40 tick nymphs or larvae were assigned into a group, respectively. Genomic DNA was extracted from tick samples in each group, and mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene was amplified. Sequence analysis was performed with the DNASTAR software, and phylogenetic analysis was performed using the software MEGA 7.0. In addition, the phylogenetic tree was generated using the maximum likelihood method based on the Kimura 2 parameter model. Results A total of 2 438 ticks were captured from Suizhou City, Hubei Province during the period between May 2023 and June 2024, including 595 free ticks and 1 483 parasitic ticks. Three developmental stages of ticks were captured, including larvae, nymphs, and adults, and 75.18% (1 899/2 438) of captured ticks were adult, in which 79.04% (1 501/1 899) were female. Morphological and molecular biological assays identified one family, three genera and four species of captured ticks, including 2 425 Haemaphysalis longicornis ticks (99.47%) and one H. flava tick (0.04%) of the genus Haemaphysalis, 11 Rhipicephalus microplus ticks (0.45%) of the genus Rhipicephalus, and one Ixodes sinensis tick (0.04%) of the genus Ixodes in the family Ixodidae. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the H. longicornis sequence (SZ49) in this study was clustered with sequences from Yunnan Province (GenBank accession number: MH024510.1), Hebei Province (GenBank accession number: MK450606.1) and Henan Province (GenBank accession number: MZ230645.1) into a clade, and the H. flava sequence (SZ19) in this study was clustered with sequences from Japan (GenBank accession number: MW064044.1), South Korea (GenBank accession number: ON629585.1), and Jiangsu Province (GenBank accession number: PP494741.1) and Hebei Province of China (GenBank accession number: MH520685.1) into a clade, while the R. microplus sequence (SZ8) in this study was clustered with the sequences from India (GenBank accession number: MK621328.1), and Henan Province (GenBank accession number: MT555307.1) and Guizhou Province of China (GenBank accession number: PP446801.1) into a clade. The sequence of I. sinensis (SZ23) in this study had 99.51% homology with that (GenBank accession number: OM368265.1) of ticks sampled from Wuhan City, Hubei Province. Conclusion There are four tick species of H. longicornis, H. flava, R. microplus and I. sinensis in Suizhou City, Hubei Province, and H. longicornis is the dominant species. H. flava is firstly recorded in Suizhou City.

Objective     To construct a radiomics model for identifying clinical high-risk carotid plaques. Methods     A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients with carotid artery stenosis in China-Japan Friendship Hospital from December 2016 to June 2022. The patients were classified as a clinical high-risk carotid plaque group and a clinical low-risk carotid plaque group according to the occurrence of stroke, transient ischemic attack and other cerebrovascular clinical symptoms within six months. Six machine learning models including eXtreme Gradient Boosting, support vector machine, Gaussian Naive Bayesian, logical regression, K-nearest neighbors and artificial neural network were established. We also constructed a joint predictive model combined with logistic regression analysis of clinical risk factors. Results    Finally 652 patients were collected, including 427 males and 225 females, with an average age of 68.2 years. The results showed that the prediction ability of eXtreme Gradient Boosting was the best among the six machine learning models, and the area under the curve (AUC) in validation dataset was 0.751. At the same time, the AUC of eXtreme Gradient Boosting joint prediction model established by clinical data and carotid artery imaging data validation dataset was 0.823. Conclusion     Radiomics features combined with clinical feature model can effectively identify clinical high-risk carotid plaques.

BACKGROUND:The more vertical the femoral neck fracture line,the more shear force the femoral neck fracture may bear,so it may be prone to internal fixation failure,nonunion,or necrosis of the femoral head.At present,there is controversy as to which hollow nail fixation mode is ideal. OBJECTIVE:To evaluate different configurations and numbers of cannulated screw configurations to learn more about the biomechanical differences in vertical fractures of the femoral neck using finite element analysis. METHODS:Femoral CT data were collected from a 24-year-old healthy male volunteer and imported into Mimics software to build a three-dimensional geometric model of the femur.Model refinement and surface fitting processing were carried out in Geomagic software and imported into SolidWorks software to establish a vertical fracture model of the femoral neck.Six cannulated screw models were established,including three triangle configuration,three inverted triangle configuration,three double-plane double-support configuration(F scheme),three transverse configuration,four diamond configuration and four Alpha configuration.The peak stress,strain and displacement of internal fixation and femoral fracture models under different loads(350,700,1 400,and 2 100 N)were compared among different configurations. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Under four kinds of loads,screw stress conditions were as follows:biplanar double-supported configuration(F scheme)>transverse configuration>inverted triangle configuration>positive triangular configuration>Alpha configuration>rhombus configuration.The peak value of Von mises stress was concentrated in the screw close to the fracture line.(2)Under four kinds of loads,the screw displacement was Alpha configuration>inverted triangle configuration>positive triangular configuration>biplanar double-supported configuration(F scheme)>rhombus configuration>transverse configuration,and the peak displacement was mainly concentrated on the hollow screw head.(3)Under four kinds of loads,the stress conditions of the proximal femoral bone block were biplanar double-supported configuration(F scheme)>transverse configuration>inverted triangle configuration>Alpha configuration>positive triangular configuration>rhombus configuration,and the stress peak mainly concentrated in the lower neck of femur.(4)Under 350 N load,the displacement of the proximal femur bone block was transverse configuration>biplanar double-supported configuration(F scheme)>positive triangular configuration>Alpha configuration>inverted triangle configuration>rhombus configuration.In the other three loads,the peak displacement of the inverted triangle configuration was smaller than that of the rhombus configuration.The peak displacement was mainly concentrated in the head.(5)The rhombus configuration was the most dispersed in the stress distribution of the proximal femoral bone.The rhombus configuration was the smallest in the peak displacement of the femur.The stress,displacement and peak displacement of the fracture end of each internal fixed model increased gradually with the increase of load.(6)The biomechanical performance of the four diamond-shaped models in the internal fixation of vertical femoral neck fractures is better than that of other groups of models.The four rhomboid models have stable fixation,small displacement value of fracture end and dispersed stress,which can help resist shear force and prevent varus collapse and create a good mechanical environment for fracture healing.

Objective: To investigate the dietary lead exposure level among children aged 3 to 4 years in Jiading District, Shanghai Municipality, and assess the health risk caused by lead exposure, so as to provide the basis for the management of children's food safety. Methods: Based on the 2023 Dietary and Health Status Surveillance Project in Jiading District, children aged 3 to 4 years from 12 streets (townships) in Jiading District were selected as the subjects using a multi-stage stratified random sampling method. The consumption frequency and daily intake of seven subcategories of four major food groups (beans, tofu), cereals (wheat, rice), meat (animal viscera), and aquatic products (mantis shrimps, bivalves) consumed by children over the past three months were collected using a food frequency questionnaire. Food samples were collected according to the food safety risk monitoring plan in Jiading District, and the lead content was detected. The health risks of dietary lead exposure among 3-4-year-old children were quantitatively assessed using the single-factor pollution index method, the Nemerow comprehensive pollution index method, and the margin of safety (MOS) method. Results: A total of 143 3-4-year-old children were surveyed, including 69 boys (48.25%) and 74 girls (51.75%). A total of 317 food samples were tested, and lead was detected in all seven subcategories of food samples, with an overall detection rate of 77.29%. The detection rates of lead in bivalves and mantis shrimps of aquatic products were relatively high (98.75% and 100.00%, respectively). The mean lead content of various foods ranged from 0.003 4 to 0.090 7, with the highest level found in bivalves. The lead content of all food samples did not exceed the standard. The single-factor pollution index of seven subcategories ranged from 0.017 2 to 0.148 0, and the Nemerow comprehensive pollution index ranged from 0.116 5 to 0.424 4, both of which were less than 0.7. The MOS (mean) ranged from 0.000 3 to 0.003 9, with an overall MOS (mean) of 0.012 2. The MOS (P95) ranged from 0.005 7 to 0.055 9, with an overall MOS (P95) of 0.112 4, both of which were less than 1. Conclusions The lead pollution level in the diet among children aged 3 to 4 years in Jiading District is safe and clean, with an acceptable impact on food safety. However, the detection rate of lead is relatively high, and the main source of dietary lead exposure is aquatic products.

Objective To observe the value of radiomics combined with CT features for distinguishing mycoplasma pneumonia(MP)and non-MP in children.Methods Data of 153 children with pneumonia were retrospectively analyzed.The children were divided into MP group(n=101)and non-MP group(n=52)according to mycoplasma RNA detection,and also were divided into training set(n=107,including 71 MP and 36 non-MP)and validation set(n=46,including 30 MP and 16 non-MP)at the ratio of 7∶3.CT findings were compared between groups.Six best CT features were selected in training set using F test algorithm,and a CT model was constructed using logistic regression(LR)method.The best radiomics features were extracted and screened in training set,and machine learning(ML)models were constructed using LR,support vector machine(SVM),random forest(RF),linear discriminant analysis(LDA)and stochastic gradient descent(SGD)classifiers,respectively.Based on the best CT features and radiomics features,CT-ML models were constructed using the above classifiers.Receiver operating characteristic curves were drawn,and the areas under the curve(AUC)were calculated,the efficacy of each model for distinguishing MP and non-MP was evaluated.Results Lesions involved the upper,middle and lower lobe of right lung,thickened bronchial wall,tree bud sign and edge retract sign were the best CT features.AUC of CTLR was 0.710,of MLLR,MLSVM,MLRF,MLLDA and MLSGD in validation set was 0.715,0.663,0.623,0.706 and 0.494,respectively,and MLLR was the optimal radiomics model.AUC of CT-MLLR,CT-MLSVM,CT-MLRF,CT-MLLDA and CT-MLSGD in validation set was 0.813,0.823,0.649,0.796 and 0.665,respectively,and CT-MLSVM was the optimal CT-ML model.In training set,AUC of CT-MLSVM(0.840)was higher than that of CTLR and MLLR model(AUC=0.713,0.740,both P＜0.05).In validation set,no significant difference of AUC was found among CTLR,MLLR and CT-MLSVM(AUC=0.710,0.715 and 0.823,all P＞0.05).Conclusion Radiomics combined with CT features could effectively distinguish MP and non-MP in children.

Based on the service of stranded patients in D Hospital, this study aimed to explore the multiple needs of stranded patients and construct an intervention mode from the ecosystem perspective. Using the method of case study, taking the service of stranded patients in hospital D as an example, 49 case records and verbatim interviews with stakeholders were analyzed. The discharge and resettlement of stranded patients faces multiple obstacles from individuals, families, medical and social systems. This study constructed the social work intervention model from the ecosystem perspective: information collection and needs assessment, empowerment of individual system, reconstruction of family support system, coordination of medical system and linking social support system. The intervention process achieved efficient effects. Social work intervention of stranded patients should pay attention to patients’ psychosocial needs and improve awareness of system difficulties; mobilize the multi-system support network and deliver services in combination with case management method; conduct social advocacy for the breakthrough of law and policy.

Objective:To explore the efficacy and safety of Rivaroxaban in preventing catheter related thrombosis (CRT) in patients with breast cancer who are undergoing central venous catheter chemotherapy, and provide basis for making standardized prevention and treatment strategies.Methods:In this research, a prospective cohort study was adopted, and breast cancer patients who received central venous catheter chemotherapy in Sanhuan Cancer Hospital during September 2020 to March 2022 were selected as a treatment group to take the rivaroxaban anticoagulation therapy with 10 mg.po.qd for one month. The control group got no preventive anticoagulation therapy. Vascular ultrasound examination was taken to confirm the occurrence of CRT, and a chi-square test was done for comparison the disparity between the groups. Logistic regression was applied to analyze the univariate and multivariate factors for the formation of CRT.Results:In the research, a total of 235 patients were selected, and there were a total of 19 035 days of catheterization with 81 days of catheterization on average. While in the control group, the incidence of CRT was 28.0% (33/118), the incidence of CRT in the treatment group was 20.5% (24/117), the difference was no significant ( P=0.183). Subgroup analysis results showed that the peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) was performed in 165 cases with the CRT incidence of 18.2% (30/165) and thrombosis was mostly seen around axillary vein, accounting for 63.3%. Subclavian vein catheterization was performed in 63 cases with the CRT incidence of 39.7% (25/63), and thrombosis was mostly seen around subclavian vein, accounting for 88.0% (22/25). Implantable venous access port was implanted in 7 cases around subclavian vein and internal jugular vein with the CRT incidence of 28.6% (2/7). The patients who developed CRT within 30 days after catheterization accounted for 54.4% (31/57), 22.8% (13/57) in a period during 30 days and 60 days) and 22.8% (13/57) in a period during 60 days and 180 days). The diagnosed CRT patients had been treated with rivaroxaban 15 mg.bid.po for 3 months. During the 3 months, 100.0% of the thrombosis waned, 71.9% (41/57) of the thrombosis waned within 30 days, 19.3% (11/57) in a period during 30 and 60days and 8.8% (5/57) in a period during 60 days and 90 days. Univariate and multivariate analysis indicated that the risk of CRT in subclavian vein catheterization was higher than that in PICC, respectively ( OR=2.898, 95% CI:1.386-6.056 P=0.005), and the type of catheterization was an independent factor for the formation of thrombosis. Safety analysis result showed that in the prevention of CRT, rivaroxaban treatment did not induce drug-related bleeding, liver function damage, bone marrow suppression or any other side effects. While CRT diagnosed patients were treated with anticoagulation, they kept the central venous catheter, and the infusion was smooth. These patients all finished the anti-tumor treatment as planned, and no abnormalities like new thrombosis or pulmonary embolism were observed. Conclusions:In the mid-term analysis, the proportion of Rivaroxaban in preventing anticoagulant CRT decreases, but it don't reach statistical significance. The sample size should be further increased for observation. Rivaroxaban is proved effective and very safe in the treatment of CRT, and does not affect the concurrent chemotherapy. Medical personnel should carry out the policy of "early prevention, early detection and early treatment" for CRT so as to improve the patients' quality of life.

Objective:To explore the efficacy and safety of Rivaroxaban in preventing catheter related thrombosis (CRT) in patients with breast cancer who are undergoing central venous catheter chemotherapy, and provide basis for making standardized prevention and treatment strategies.Methods:In this research, a prospective cohort study was adopted, and breast cancer patients who received central venous catheter chemotherapy in Sanhuan Cancer Hospital during September 2020 to March 2022 were selected as a treatment group to take the rivaroxaban anticoagulation therapy with 10 mg.po.qd for one month. The control group got no preventive anticoagulation therapy. Vascular ultrasound examination was taken to confirm the occurrence of CRT, and a chi-square test was done for comparison the disparity between the groups. Logistic regression was applied to analyze the univariate and multivariate factors for the formation of CRT.Results:In the research, a total of 235 patients were selected, and there were a total of 19 035 days of catheterization with 81 days of catheterization on average. While in the control group, the incidence of CRT was 28.0% (33/118), the incidence of CRT in the treatment group was 20.5% (24/117), the difference was no significant ( P=0.183). Subgroup analysis results showed that the peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) was performed in 165 cases with the CRT incidence of 18.2% (30/165) and thrombosis was mostly seen around axillary vein, accounting for 63.3%. Subclavian vein catheterization was performed in 63 cases with the CRT incidence of 39.7% (25/63), and thrombosis was mostly seen around subclavian vein, accounting for 88.0% (22/25). Implantable venous access port was implanted in 7 cases around subclavian vein and internal jugular vein with the CRT incidence of 28.6% (2/7). The patients who developed CRT within 30 days after catheterization accounted for 54.4% (31/57), 22.8% (13/57) in a period during 30 days and 60 days) and 22.8% (13/57) in a period during 60 days and 180 days). The diagnosed CRT patients had been treated with rivaroxaban 15 mg.bid.po for 3 months. During the 3 months, 100.0% of the thrombosis waned, 71.9% (41/57) of the thrombosis waned within 30 days, 19.3% (11/57) in a period during 30 and 60days and 8.8% (5/57) in a period during 60 days and 90 days. Univariate and multivariate analysis indicated that the risk of CRT in subclavian vein catheterization was higher than that in PICC, respectively ( OR=2.898, 95% CI:1.386-6.056 P=0.005), and the type of catheterization was an independent factor for the formation of thrombosis. Safety analysis result showed that in the prevention of CRT, rivaroxaban treatment did not induce drug-related bleeding, liver function damage, bone marrow suppression or any other side effects. While CRT diagnosed patients were treated with anticoagulation, they kept the central venous catheter, and the infusion was smooth. These patients all finished the anti-tumor treatment as planned, and no abnormalities like new thrombosis or pulmonary embolism were observed. Conclusions:In the mid-term analysis, the proportion of Rivaroxaban in preventing anticoagulant CRT decreases, but it don't reach statistical significance. The sample size should be further increased for observation. Rivaroxaban is proved effective and very safe in the treatment of CRT, and does not affect the concurrent chemotherapy. Medical personnel should carry out the policy of "early prevention, early detection and early treatment" for CRT so as to improve the patients' quality of life.

Objective:To investigate and summarize pediatric patients with severe Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) presenting with varied clinical and chest imaging features in order to guide the individualized treatment. Methods:This was a retrospective cohort study. Medical records of clinical, imaging and laboratory data of 505 patients with MPP who were admitted to the Department Ⅱ of Respirology Center, Beijing Children′s Hospital, Capital Medical University from January 2016 to October 2023 and met the enrollment criteria were included. They were divided into severe group and non-severe group according to whether lower airway obliterans was developed. The clinical and chest imaging features of the two groups were analyzed. Those severe cases with single lobe ≥2/3 consolidation (lobar consolidation) were further divided into subtype lung-necrosis and subtype non-lung-necrosis based on whether lung necrosis was developed. Comparison on the clinical manifestations, bronchoscopic findings, whole blood C-reactive protein (CRP) and other inflammatory indicators between the two subtypes was performed. Comparisons between two groups were achieved using independent-sample t-test, nonparametric test or chi-square test. Univariate receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were performed on the indicators such as CRP of the two subtypes. Results:Of the 505 cases, 254 were male and 251 were female. The age of the onset was (8.2±2.9) years. There were 233 severe cases, among whom 206 were with lobar consolidation and 27 with diffuse bronchiolitis. The other 272 belonged to non-severe cases, with patchy, cloudy infiltrations or single lobe <2/3 uneven consolidation or localized bronchiolitis. Of the 206 cases (88.4%) severe cases with lobar consolidation, 88 harbored subtype lung-necrosis and 118 harbored subtype non-lung-necrosis. All 206 cases (100.0%) presented with persistent high fever, among whom 203 cases (98.5%) presented with inflammatory secretion obstruction and plastic bronchitis under bronchoscopy. Of those 88 cases with subtype lung-necrosis, there were 42 cases (47.7%) with dyspnea and 39 cases (44.3%) with moderate to massive amount of pleural effusion. There were 35 cases (39.8%) diagnosed with lung embolism during the disease course, of which other 34 cases (38.6%) were highly suspected. Extensive airway mucosal necrosis was observed in 46 cases (52.3%), and the level of their whole blood CRP was significantly higher than that of subtype non-lung-necrosis (131.5 (91.0, 180.0) vs. 25.5 (12.0, 43.1) mg/L, U=334.00, P<0.001). They were regarded as subtype "lung consolidation-atelectasis-necrosis". Of those 118 cases with subtype non-lung-necrosis, 27 cases (22.9%) presented with dyspnea and none were with moderate to massive amount of pleural effusion. Sixty-five cases (55.1%) presented with plastic bronchitis and localized airway mucosal necrosis was observed in 32 cases (27.1%). They were deemed as subtype "lung consolidation-atelectasis". ROC curve analyses revealed that whole blood CRP of 67.5 mg/L on the 6-10 th day of disease course exhibited a sensitivity of 0.96, a specificity of 0.89, and an area under the curve of 0.97 for distinguishing between these two subtypes among those with lobar consolidation. Conclusions:Pediatric patients with severe MPP present with lobar consolidation or diffuse bronchiolitis on chest imaging. Those with lobar consolidation harbor 2 subtypes as "lung consolidation-atelectasis-necrosis" and "lung consolidation-atelectasis". Whole blood CRP of 67.5 mg/L can be applied as an early discriminating indicator to discriminate between these two subtypes.