Booster vaccinations are highly recommended in combating the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant and its subvariants. However, the optimal booster vaccination strategies and related immune mechanisms with different prior vaccinations are under-revealed. In this study, we systematically evaluated the immune responses in mice and hamsters with different prime-boost regimens before their protective efficacies against Omicron were detected. We found that boosting with Ad5-nCoV, S_WT-2P or S_Omicron-6P induced significantly higher levels of neutralization activities against Omicron variants than CoronaVac and ZF2001 by eliciting stronger germinal center (GC) responses. Specifically, S_Omicron-6P induced even stronger antibody responses against Omicron variants in CoronaVac and Ad5-nCoV-primed animals than non-Omicron-specific vaccines but with limited differences as compared to Ad5-nCoV and S_WT-2P. In addition, boosting with a specific vaccine has the potential to remodel the existing immune profiles. These findings indicated that adenovirus-vectored vaccines and mRNA vaccines would be more effective than other types of vaccines as booster shots in combating Omicron infections. Moreover, the protective efficacies of the vaccines in booster vaccinations are highly related to GC reactions in secondary lymphatic organs. In summary, these findings provide timely important information on prime-boost regimens and future vaccine design.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical value of combining low-dose energy spectrum CT with virtual un-enhanced(VUE) scanning and deep-learning image reconstruction(DLIR) in aortic CT angiography(CTA). Methods : In a prospective study, 94 patients scheduled for aortic CTA were randomized into two groups: a low-dose energy spectrum group and a standard 100 kVp enhancement group, with 47 patients in each. All patients initially underwent a true un-enhanced(TUE) scan at 120 kVp using adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction-V(ASIR-V) at 40% for image reconstruction. The low-dose group received enhanced scans using gemstone spectral imaging(GSI) mode with DLIR-H, producing 60 keV virtual monoenergetic images(VMIs) and VUE images. The standard group was scanned at 100 kVp, with images reconstructed using ASIR-V at 50%. Parameters were measured including CT values, noise(SD), signal-to-noise ratio(SNR), and contrast-to-noise ratio(CNR) for key vascular and muscular areas, alongside the effective radiation dose(ED). Two radiologists evaluated the image quality using a 5-point scale. Results : The low-dose group exhibited significantly higher SNR and CNR values in the ascending aorta, descending aorta, abdominal aorta, and common iliac artery compared to the standard group(P<0.05), with comparable subjective quality scores. The VUE images also demonstrated superior SNR values in the abdominal aorta, common iliac artery, and psoas major muscle, and CNR value in the ascending aorta compared to TUE images, with similar subjective quality. Importantly, the ED in the low-dose group was about 40% lower than that of the standard group. Conclusion Low-dose energy spectrum CT with DLIR in aortic CTA can significantly enhance SNR and CNR, while approximating the image quality of traditional TUE scans, thereby substantially reducing radiation exposure.

Objective:Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), an allergen/immune-mediated chronic disorder of the esophagus, is witnessing an incremental rise in its global incidence. However, data in China are very limited. This study aimed to clarify the characteristics of EoE in Chinese adults at our medical center.Methods:We collected information, including clinical characteristics and endoscopic findings, relative to all cases of adult patients who met the pathological diagnostic criteria for EoE at our institution from January 2019 to May 2024. Patients diagnosed with reflux esophagitis (RE) were matched in a 1∶1 ratio based on age and sex, and comparisons were made between the two groups.Results:The overall detection rate of EoE in our hospital was approximately 0.05%, with a trend increasing yearly. In total, 61 patients met the diagnostic criteria for EoE, of whom 42 (68.9%) were male. The median age was 53 years. The clinical manifestations of EoE patients were diverse, with common symptoms including dysphagia, acid reflux, and upper abdominal pain. Serological examination revealed that 23.1% (9/39) of patients had increased absolute eosinophil counts. Allergic diseases were observed in 73.8% (45/61) patients. Most patients exhibited typical mucosal changes in the esophagus during endoscopy, the median EREFS score was 3 points. The most commonly administered treatment included proton pump inhibitors, and 13 patients received steroid treatment. During a follow-up period, 42 patients (68.9%) exhibited clinical symptom improvement or pathological remission. In comparison to Western countries, patients with EoE in China typically presented with milder disease severity and a more favorable prognosis. No significant differences were observed between younger and older adult groups regarding clinical symptoms, the proportion of comorbid allergic diseases, medications, or the rate of improvement ( P for all>0.05). Additionally, patients with EoE more commonly presented with dysphagia (29.5% vs. 1.6%, χ2=15.96, P<0.001), comorbid allergic diseases (73.8% vs. 13.1%, χ2=45.67, P<0.001), increased eosinophil counts (23.1% vs. 3.3%, χ2=7.61, P<0.01), and a positive response to corticosteroids when compared to patients with RE. Conclusions:This study systematically determined the clinical characteristics of adult EoE patients in China. Compared to Western countries, patients from China typically presented with milder disease severity and a more favorable prognosis. No significant clinical manifestations or prognosis differences were observed between younger and older patients. EoE can be differentiated from RE based on symptoms, the presence of comorbid allergic diseases, and the degree of serum eosinophil infiltration. For patients suspected of EoE, endoscopic esophageal biopsy will facilitate early diagnosis.

Objective To explore the effect of psychological flexibility based psychotherapy model on cancer-related fatigue in lung cancer patients.Methods A total of 60 lung cancer patients admitted to Zhejiang Cancer Hospital from March 2022 to December 2023 were selected as research subjects.They were divided into control group(n=30)and study group(n=30)by using a random number table method.Control group received routine psychological intervention,while study group was treated with a psychological flexibility-based therapy model in addition to the routine intervention.The scores of anxiety self-rating scales,depression self-rating scales,perceived burden,coping strategies,and cancer-related fatigue were compared between two groups.Results After intervention,the self-assessment scale scores of anxiety and depression,self-perceived burden and cancer-related fatigue in both groups decreased,and the reduction was more significant in study group(P＜0.05).The coping style scores of both groups improved,and the improvement was more significant in study group(P＜0.05).Conclusion Intervention with a psychological flexibility-based psychotherapy model in lung cancer patients can reduce negative emotions,self-perception burden and cancer-related fatigue,and improve patients' coping style.

In order to solve the current problems in operation management and achieve the goals of improving operation management efficiency,strengthening refined management,optimizing resource allocation,and supporting decision-making.Based on the concept of business and finance integration,specific construction measures are proposed from four aspects:integration of business and finance organizations and personnel,clarifying the division of labor and cooperation mechanism;integration of core business and finance processes,realizing closed-loop management of operation activities;integration of business and finance scenarios,implementing key tasks of operation management;integration digital data of business and finance to build up the Operational Data Repository.The construction results in three aspects for hospitals,namely,building a digital financial standard system,a digital financial service system,and a digital operation value system,are summarized to provide reference for the construction of a smart operation management system for public hospitals.

The intestine and liver are closely connected both physiologically and pathologically, forming a so-called gut-liver axis, with the gut microbiota serving as a pivotal link in their bidirectional communication. Gut microbiota dysbiosis and gut-liver axis disruption play a key role in the development and progression of colorectal cancer liver metastasis (CRLM), though the underlying mechanisms have not been clearly elucidated. Certain gut microbiota, such as Escherichia coli and Enterococcus spp., can breach the intestinal barrier and translocate to the liver, promoting the formation of pre-metastatic niche. Fusobacterium nucleatum and Enterococcus faecalis enhance tumor cell invasion/migration, while Parabacteroides spp. suppress anti-tumor immunity in the liver TME. Interventions like fecal microbiota transplantation, dietary modifications, and traditional Chinese medicine have shown potential in clinical and preclinical studies to improve patient outcomes by targeting the gut microbiota, but their long-term efficacy and safety require further investigation. Future research should focus on elucidating the effects of specific bacterial species, metabolites, viruses, and fungi on tumorigenesis. Exploring the potential of gut microbiota-based precision medicine and personalized therapies will improve risk stratification and enable more targeted interventions for CRLM patients.

Objective: To investigate the status and influencing factors of influenza vaccination among the elderly, so as to provide insights into improving the strategies for influenza vaccination among the elderly. Methods: Elderly people aged 60 years and above were recruited from one community each in five sub-districts of Shihezi City, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region using a random sampling method. Demographic information, knowledge about influenza and influenza vaccines, vaccine literacy and influenza vaccination status in the past year were collected through questionnaire surveys. Factors affecting influenza vaccination among the elderly were analyzed using a multivariable logistic regression model. Results: Totally 1 121 valid questionnaires were recovered, with an effective recovery rate of 95.08%. There were 417 males (37.20%) and 704 females (62.80%). The majority were aged 60-<81 years, accounting for 80.37% (901 individuals). The awareness of knowledge about influenza and influenza vaccines was 78.86%. Low vaccine literacy was observed in 786 individuals, representing 70.12%. The influenza vaccination rate was 20.96%. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that age (71-<81 years, OR=1.607, 95%CI: 1.041-2.479; ≥81 years, OR=1.719, 95%CI: 1.040-2.842), educational level (middle school/technical secondary school, OR=0.616, 95%CI: 0.416-0.911), medical expense payment (employee medical insurance, OR=6.531, 95%CI: 2.030-21.010; resident medical insurance, OR=3.385, 95%CI: 1.095-10.466; public expense, OR=4.828, 95%CI: 1.700-13.712), vaccination willingness (yes, OR=6.237, 95%CI: 3.277-11.871), influenza vaccination history (yes, OR=14.600, 95%CI: 8.733-24.408) and vaccine literacy (medium and above, OR=2.412, 95%CI: 1.636-3.555) were associated with influenza vaccination among the elderly. Conclusion The influenza vaccination rate among the elderly was relatively low, and was mainly affected by age, educational level, medical expense payment, vaccination willingness, influenza vaccination history and vaccine literacy.

BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease (CKD)-associated anemia (CKD-anemia) is associated with poor survival, and hemoglobin targets are often not achieved with current therapies. Phase 3 trials have demonstrated the treatment efficacy of roxadustat for CKD-anemia. This phase 4 study aims to evaluate the long-term (52-week) safety and effectiveness of roxadustat in a broad real-world patient population with CKD-anemia with and without dialysis in China. METHODS: This Phase 4 multicenter, open-label, prospective study, conducted from 24 November 2020 to 11 November 2022, evaluated the long-term safety and effectiveness of roxadustat for CKD-anemia in China. Patients aged ≥18 years with CKD-anemia with or without dialysis were included. The initial oral dose was 70-120 mg (weight-based followed by dose adjustment) over 52 weeks. The primary endpoint was safety based on adverse events (AEs). The secondary endpoints were hemoglobin changes from baseline and the proportion of patients who achieved mean hemoglobin ≥100 g/L. Effectiveness evaluable populations 1 (EE1) and EE2 included roxadustat-naïve and previously roxadustat-treated patients, respectively. The safety analysis set (SAF) included all patients who received ≥1 occasion. RESULTS: The EE1, EE2, and SAF populations included 1804, 193, and 2021 patients, respectively. In the SAF, the mean age was 50 ± 14 years, and 1087 patients (53.8%) were male. Mean baseline hemoglobin was 96.9 ± 14.0 g/L in EE1 and 100.3 ± 12.9 g/L in EE2. In EE1, the mean (95% confidence interval) hemoglobin changes from baseline over weeks 24-36 and 36-52 were 14.2 (13.5-14.9) g/L and 14.3 (13.5-15.0) g/L, respectively. Over weeks 24-36 and 36-52, 83.3% and 86.1% of patients in EE1 and 82.7% and 84.7% in EE2 achieved mean hemoglobin ≥100 g/L, respectively. In the SAF, 1643 (81.3%) patients experienced treatment-emergent AEs (TEAEs). Overall, 219 (10.8%) patients experienced drug-related TEAEs. Thirty-eight (1.9%) patients died of TEAEs (unrelated to the study drug). Vascular access thrombosis was uncommon. CONCLUSIONS: Roxadustat (52 weeks) increased hemoglobin and maintained the treatment target in Chinese patients with CKD-anemia with acceptable safety, supporting its use in real-world settings. REGISTRATION Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ( www.chictr.org.cn ) ChiCTR2100046322; CDE ( www.chinadrugtrials.org.cn ) CTR20201568.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Anemia/etiology* ; Middle Aged ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/complications* ; Glycine/adverse effects* ; Isoquinolines/adverse effects* ; Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Adult ; Hemoglobins/metabolism* ; Treatment Outcome ; China ; Registries ; East Asian People

Objective:To design a set of new type of surgery instrument for pectus excavatum(PE),so as to improve safety and effectiveness of minimally invasive operation in surgery for PE.Methods:The design of the new type of surgical instrument for PE adopted multifunctional orthopedic board that combined both penetrating and supporting functions.The T type handle,special sealing screw for single hole,setscrew and stator,which were convenient for operation,were equipped for the orthopedic board.The new type of surgical instrument was applied in clinical PE surgery since November,2010,and a total of 1398 PE surgeries were conducted in the 10 years,which included 1078 surgeries with single hole,and 320 surgeries with multi holes.The success rate of PE surgery with single hole mode was assessed.Results:In 1398 PE surgeries,the number of PE patients,whose ages were less or equal to 12 years old,and who all adopted single hole mode,was 887 cases,and the success rate of surgery with single hole was 100%.In addition,the number of PE patients,whose age was larger than 12 years old,was 511 cases,and the surgery with single hole was successfully applied in 191 cases of them,and the success rate of surgery with single hole was 37.4%.Conclusion:The the new type of surgical instrument for PE by surgery with single hole and multi holes has mature technique,and it is safety and effectiveness,which has higher clinical application value.