BACKGROUND: Generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP), a rare and recurrent autoinflammatory disease, imposes a substantial burden on patients and society. Awareness of GPP in China remains limited. METHODS: This cross-sectional survey, conducted between September 2021 and May 2023 across 14 hospitals in China, included GPP patients of all ages and disease phases. Data collected encompassed demographics, clinical characteristics, economic impact, disease severity, quality of life, and treatment-related complications. Risk factors for GPP recurrence were analyzed. RESULTS: Among 127 patients (female/male ratio = 1.35:1), the mean age of disease onset was 25 years (1st quartile [Q1]-3rd quartile [Q3]: 11-44 years); 29.2% had experienced GPP for more than 10 years. Recurrence occurred in 75.6% of patients, and nearly half reported no identifiable triggers. Younger age at disease onset ( P  = 0.021) and transitioning to plaque psoriasis ( P  = 0.022) were associated with higher recurrence rates. The median diagnostic delay was 8 months (Q1-Q3: 2-41 months), and 32.3% of patients reported misdiagnoses. Comorbidities were present in 53.5% of patients, whereas 51.1% experienced systemic complications during treatment. Depression and anxiety affected 84.5% and 95.6% of patients, respectively. During GPP flares, the median Dermatology Life Quality Index score was 19.0 (Q1-Q3: 13.0-23.5). This score showed significant differences between patients with and without systemic symptoms; it demonstrated correlations with both depression and anxiety scores. Treatment costs caused financial hardship in 55.9% of patients, underscoring the burden associated with GPP. CONCLUSIONS The substantial disease and economic burdens among Chinese GPP patients warrant increased attention. Patients with early onset disease and those transitioning to plaque psoriasis require targeted interventions to mitigate the high recurrence risk.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Psoriasis/pathology* ; Adult ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Adolescent ; Child ; Young Adult ; Quality of Life ; Middle Aged ; China/epidemiology* ; Recurrence ; Risk Factors ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; East Asian People

Objective: To explore the role and mechanism of epiregulin (EREG) in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC)，and to find biomarkers and therapeutic targets for ccRCC. Methods: Based on the data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) databases，the correlation between the expression level of EREG in ccRCC tissues and the clinical staging and survival of ccRCC patients was analyzed. The samples of 6 ccRCC cases treated in the Second Affiliated Hospital of the Air Force Medical University were collected. The expression of EREG was confirmed with immunohistochemistry and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (q-PCR). The effects of EREG overexpression on the proliferation，cell cycle and apoptosis of ACHN cells were verified with CCK-8 and flow cytometry. Finally，the expressions of EREG，epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and the downstream pathway proteins were detected with Western blotting. Results: Based on the databases，it was found that the expression of EREG in ccRCC samples was higher than that in adjacent tissues，and there was a positive correlation with the clinical stage. Survival analysis showed that high expression of EREG was a risk factor affecting the prognosis. The results of immunohistochemical staining and qPCR revealed that EREG was highly expressed in ccRCC. Flow cytometry showed that EREG overexpression promoted the proliferation of ACHN cells，enhanced cell cycle，and inhibited apoptosis. In addition，Western blotting suggested that EREG promoted the expressions of EREG，EGFR and the downstream proteins. Conclusion: The expression of EREG is associated with the prognosis of ccRCC patients. In vitro cell experiments have shown that it can promote the proliferation of ccRCC cells and inhibit their apoptosis，thereby leading to the progression of ccRCC. It can serve as a potential biomarker for prognosis prediction and a drug development target for ccRCC patients.

Objective To investigate the detection status and risk factors of bacterial pneumonia (BP) in elderly patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS), and to provide evidence for the prevention and treatment of BP in elderly patients with AIS. Methods The case data of 320 elderly patients with AIS admitted to Xijing Hospital from June 2021 to June 2024 were retrospectively collected and analyzed. The distribution status of pathogenic bacteria of BP in the elderly AIS patients was statistically analyzed, and the risk factors of BP in AIS patients were explored and the predictive value was analyzed. Results Among the 320 elderly AIS patients, 57 cases (17.81%) developed BP. Multivariate logistic stepwise regression analysis showed that concurrent dysphagia [OR (95% CI) = 1.654 (1.240-2.206)], high platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) [OR (95% CI) = 1.418 (1.116-1.801)], high neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) [OR (95% CI) = 2.756 (1.197-5.360)], and acute ischemic stroke-associated pneumonia score (AIS-APS) [OR (95% CI) = 3.414 (1.574-7.405)] were independent influencing factors for BP in elderly AIS patients (P<0.05). The combination of the above four factors had the largest area under the curve (AUC) (0.866) in predicting BP in elderly AIS. Conclusion The occurrence of BP in elderly AIS patients is related to dysphagia, high level of PLR, high level of NLR, and high score of AIS-APS. It is necessary to strengthen the early identification and intervention of high-risk factors in clinical practice.

Acute pancreatitis(AP)is a frequently encountered acute abdominal syndrome in clinical settings,and the integrated model of traditional Chinese and Western medicine(TCM-WM)has demonstrated notable advantages in the diagnosis and treatment of AP.To systematize and standardize clinical practices related to develop clinical pathway for integrated TCM-WM diagnosis and treatment of AP,which enhances the efficiency and quality of patient care.This pathway focuses on AP,a common acute and life-threatening disease within the digestive system,and outlines that the central pathological mechanism involves pancreatic injury and localized inflammation resulting from the abnormal activation of pancreatic enzymes.It has the characteristics of rapid onset,multiple causes,and complex manifestations.Severe cases can be life-threatening.At present,conventional treatments encompass a diverse range of modalities.Moreover,traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)holds distinct advantages in alleviating relevant symptoms,and TCM-WM is gaining increasing prevalence.To enhance the standardization and consistency of diagnostic and therapeutic practices,this clinical pathway clearly delineates the target patient population,which includes individuals diagnosed with abdominal pain disorder according to TCM and with AP in accordance with WM criteria,as well as the corresponding inclusion standards.The diagnostic framework integrates both TCM and WM guidelines,and further incorporates disease staging,severity grading,and syndrome differentiation to support a comprehensive and integrated diagnostic strategy.The treatment integrates approaches from both TCM and WM.Within the WM framework,interventions consist of basic supportive care,infection control,nutritional support,and the management of complications.In the context of TCM,the protocol includes syndrome differentiation and corresponding therapeutic strategies(Distinct syndrome patterns are identified and managed during the acute and convalescent phases),such as acupuncture and retention enema.This clinical pathway addresses multiple key components,including preventive strategies,post-treatment follow-up,criteria for evaluating therapeutic efficacy,admission and discharge,admission examination protocols,discharge criteria,and the rationale for deviations or withdrawal from the pathway.It is designed to provide a systematic and standardized reference framework for relevant clinical practices.

BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) poses a major global health challenge, often foreshadowing poor patient outcomes. The C-reactive protein to albumin ratio (CAR) serves as a pivotal biomarker, demonstrating a strong correlation with adverse outcomes in cardiovascular disease (CVD). This study sought to examine the correlation between CAR and the risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in patients with CKD stages 3-5. METHODS: This study utilized data of CKD patients from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 1999 to 2010, with follow-up to December 31, 2019. The optimal CAR cutoff value was identified utilizing the method of maximally selected rank statistics. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression model, restricted cubic splines (RCS) model, and subgroup analysis were employed to assess the association between CAR and mortality among CKD patients. RESULTS: During a median (with interquartile range) follow-up period of 115 (112,117) months among 2,841 CKD individuals, 1,893 deaths were observed, including 692 deaths due to CVD events. Based on the RCS analysis, a non-linear correlation was observed between CAR and mortality. Using 0.3 as the optimal CAR cutoff value, the cohort was divided into high and low groups. In the fully adjusted model, CKD patients with high CAR values exhibited an elevated risk of all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 1.53, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.28-1.83, P < 0.001) and cardiovascular mortality (HR 1.48, 95% CI 1.08-2.02, P = 0.014). Compared to the population aged >65 years (HR 1.32, 95% CI 0.99-1.76, P = 0.064), the risk of cardiovascular mortality was significantly higher in those aged ≤65 years (HR 2.19, 95% CI 1.18-4.09, P = 0.014) with elevated CAR levels. CONCLUSIONS A notable correlation exists between the elevation of CAR and increased all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, suggesting its potential as an independent indicator for evaluating the prognosis of patients with CKD stages 3-5.
Humans ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/epidemiology* ; Cardiovascular Diseases/blood* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; C-Reactive Protein/metabolism* ; Aged ; Biomarkers/blood* ; Nutrition Surveys ; Adult ; United States/epidemiology* ; Serum Albumin/analysis*

Transcranial temporal interference stimulation (tTIS) is a novel non-invasive neuromodulation technique with the potential to precisely target deep brain structures. This study explores the neural and behavioral effects of tTIS on the superior colliculus (SC), a region involved in eye movement control, in mice. Computational modeling revealed that tTIS delivers more focused stimulation to the SC than traditional transcranial alternating current stimulation. In vivo experiments, including Ca²⁺ signal recordings and eye movement tracking, showed that tTIS effectively modulates SC neural activity and induces eye movements. A significant correlation was found between stimulation frequency and saccade frequency, suggesting direct tTIS-induced modulation of SC activity. These results demonstrate the precision of tTIS in targeting deep brain regions and regulating eye movements, highlighting its potential for neuroscientific research and therapeutic applications.
Animals ; Superior Colliculi/physiology* ; Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation/methods* ; Eye Movements/physiology* ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL

Aeromedical evacuation, a crucial method for casualty transport, significantly enhances survival rates by providing exceptionally rapid transfer and thus gaining valuable treatment time. However, due to the contamination risks during the transport of radioactively contaminated casualties, aeromedical evacuation has not been widely adopted for this specific scenario. This paper reviews the current status of aeromedical evacuation for radioactively contaminated casualties and identifies several challenges. These include incomplete evacuation procedures and regulatory frameworks, difficulties in rapid triage and classification, inadequate evacuation and loading equipment, and the complexity of managing specific injuries during flight. We propose corresponding strategies to address these issues, aiming to provide a reference and guidance for the advancement of aeromedical evacuation for radioactively contaminated casualties.

Objective:To investigate the risk factors affecting live birth outcomes in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) undergoing in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection and embryo transfer (IVF/ICSI-ET) and to establish a predictive model. Methods:A retrospective case-control study was conducted by collecting data from 563 patients with PCOS who were treated at the Reproductive Medicine Department of the General Hospital of Northern Theater Command between June 2018 and January 2023. Patients were divided into live birth ( n=341) and non-live birth ( n=222) groups based on pregnancy outcomes. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify risk factors, followed by construction of a nomogram prediction model based on values with P<0.05 in multiple regression analysis. The model's predictive performance was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, calibration curves, Hosmer-Lemeshow (H-L) goodness-of-fit test, and decision curve analysis. Results:1) Univariate analysis revealed that there were statistically significant differences in age, body mass index (BMI), insulin level, the number of high-quality embryos, and the rate of high-quality embryos between the two groups (all P<0.05). 2) After adjusting for confounding factors, the results of multivariate logistic regression analysis on variables associated with live birth outcomes in the live birth group showed that: age ( OR=1.151, 95% CI: 1.061-1.249, P=0.001), body mass index ( OR=1.141, 95% CI: 1.074-1.214, P<0.001), and insulin level ( OR=1.206, 95% CI: 1.149-1.266, P<0.001) were independent risk factors for live birth outcome; top-quality embryo rate ( OR=0.101, 95% CI: 0.033-0.310, P<0.001) was a protective factor; and the number of top-quality embryos ( OR=0.949, 95% CI: 0.887-1.014, P=0.104) showed no statistically significant association with live birth outcome. 3) A predictive model for the live-birth outcome after IVF/ICSI-ET in PCOS patients was established. The area under the curve (AUC) values for predicting the live-birth outcome based on female age, BMI, the rate of high-quality embryos, and insulin level were 0.581, 0.747, 0.725, and 0.813, respectively. The combined model of these four factors had an AUC value of 0.846 for predicting the live-birth outcome. 4) A nomogram predictive model for the live-birth outcome after IVF/ICSI-ET in PCOS patients was established. The slope of the model's calibration curve was close to 1, and the H-L test yielded a P>0.05, indicating a high consistency between predicted and actual events. The decision analysis curve confirmed the clinical practicality of the predictive model. Conclusion:Age, BMI and insulin level are independent risk factors for live birth outcomes in PCOS patients undergoing IVF/ICSI-ET, while the high-quality embryo rate serves as a protective factor. The established predictive model demonstrates excellent performance and may facilitate clinical decision-making.

Objective:To investigate the risk factors affecting live birth outcomes in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) undergoing in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection and embryo transfer (IVF/ICSI-ET) and to establish a predictive model. Methods:A retrospective case-control study was conducted by collecting data from 563 patients with PCOS who were treated at the Reproductive Medicine Department of the General Hospital of Northern Theater Command between June 2018 and January 2023. Patients were divided into live birth ( n=341) and non-live birth ( n=222) groups based on pregnancy outcomes. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify risk factors, followed by construction of a nomogram prediction model based on values with P<0.05 in multiple regression analysis. The model's predictive performance was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, calibration curves, Hosmer-Lemeshow (H-L) goodness-of-fit test, and decision curve analysis. Results:1) Univariate analysis revealed that there were statistically significant differences in age, body mass index (BMI), insulin level, the number of high-quality embryos, and the rate of high-quality embryos between the two groups (all P<0.05). 2) After adjusting for confounding factors, the results of multivariate logistic regression analysis on variables associated with live birth outcomes in the live birth group showed that: age ( OR=1.151, 95% CI: 1.061-1.249, P=0.001), body mass index ( OR=1.141, 95% CI: 1.074-1.214, P<0.001), and insulin level ( OR=1.206, 95% CI: 1.149-1.266, P<0.001) were independent risk factors for live birth outcome; top-quality embryo rate ( OR=0.101, 95% CI: 0.033-0.310, P<0.001) was a protective factor; and the number of top-quality embryos ( OR=0.949, 95% CI: 0.887-1.014, P=0.104) showed no statistically significant association with live birth outcome. 3) A predictive model for the live-birth outcome after IVF/ICSI-ET in PCOS patients was established. The area under the curve (AUC) values for predicting the live-birth outcome based on female age, BMI, the rate of high-quality embryos, and insulin level were 0.581, 0.747, 0.725, and 0.813, respectively. The combined model of these four factors had an AUC value of 0.846 for predicting the live-birth outcome. 4) A nomogram predictive model for the live-birth outcome after IVF/ICSI-ET in PCOS patients was established. The slope of the model's calibration curve was close to 1, and the H-L test yielded a P>0.05, indicating a high consistency between predicted and actual events. The decision analysis curve confirmed the clinical practicality of the predictive model. Conclusion:Age, BMI and insulin level are independent risk factors for live birth outcomes in PCOS patients undergoing IVF/ICSI-ET, while the high-quality embryo rate serves as a protective factor. The established predictive model demonstrates excellent performance and may facilitate clinical decision-making.