Methods: Cervical radiographs were analyzed. EOP hyperplasia was classified into three subtypes with standardized length measurements. Variables encompassed demographics, ONL-related indices, and sagittal parameters. Subtype comparisons and multivariate regression analyses (with EOP length as dependent variable) were conducted. Results: Analysis of 187 CSM patients (64.2% male) identified gender-specific patterns: males exhibited greater EOP length (9.4±6.8 mm vs. 4.6±3.4 mm, p<0.001). Type III EOP demonstrated male predominance (82.4% vs. type I 31.8%, type II 51.4%; p<0.001), with associated longer hyperplasia length (11.6±6.6 mm vs. type II 5.1±1.9 mm, p<0.001). Type III EOP was associated with higher ONL prevalence (type III 64.8% vs. type I 45.5%, type II 41.9%; p=0.010) and longer ONL osteophyte length (type III 18.8±9.8 mm vs. type I 14.2±8.1 mm, type II 14.2±9.4 mm; p=0.046). Multivariate regression confirmed male sex (β=–3.82, p=0.009), ONL osteophyte length (β=0.16, p=0.017), T1 slope (β=0.27, p=0.041), and spino-cranial angle (β=–0.19, p=0.009) as factors independently associated with EOP length (adjusted R²=0.382). Conclusions Severe EOP hyperplasia exhibits a male-predominant distribution pattern and demonstrates significant radiological associations with ONL and cervical sagittal imbalance in CSM patients. These findings advocate for EOP evaluation in clinical evaluations to identify high-risk biomechanical profiles.

Objective:To explore the correlation between serum ferritin (SF) and risk of lean non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), so as to provide the basis for the prevention and treatment of lean NAFLD.Methods:A total of 7 187 people without NAFLD at baseline who took at least 2 physical examinations in the Health Management Center of the Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University from January 2014 to December 2023 and met the selection criteria were selected as the research subjects, and all the subjects had no NAFLD at baseline. Subjects were divided into four groups according to baseline SF quartiles: 1 797 cases in the first quartile ( Q1) group, 1 797 cases in the second quartile ( Q2) group, 1 797 cases in the third quartile ( Q3) group, and 1 796 cases in the fourth quartile ( Q4) group. The incidence of lean NAFLD in each group were observed. Kaplan-Meier curve was plotted to calculate the cumulative incidence of lean NAFLD which compared by log-rank test. Cox proportional hazard regression model was used to analyze the correlation between SF and new-onset lean NAFLD, Q1, Q2, Q3 and Q4 of SF were taken as continuous variables into the model for trend test.The stability of the results was verified by two item sensitivity analyses. Time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was plotted to evaluate the predictive value of SF for the onset of lean NAFLD. Results:The cumulative follow-up were 25 076 person-years. There were 230 new cases of lean NAFLD, and the incidence density was 9.172/1 000 person-years. The incidence densities of lean NAFLD in Q1, Q2, Q3 and Q4 groups were 6.915/1 000 person-years, 8.552/1 000 person-years, 9.641/1 000 person-years, 12.003/1 000 person-years, respectively. Kaplan-Meier curve indicated that the incidence of lean NAFLD was increased with the increment of SF, and the difference was statistically significant (log-rank test, χ2=9.92, P=0.019). Cox proportional hazard regression model results showed that the risk of developing lean NAFLD in Q4 group increased by 72.8% ( HR=1.728, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.059 to 2.820) compared with Q1 group. Trend analysis revealed that the risk of lean NAFLD increased by 18.9% for each one-quartile increase of SF( HR=1.189, 95% CI: 1.012 to 1.396). Two sensitivity analyses indicated that the risk of NAFLD in Q4 group was 1.795 times ( HR=1.795, 95% CI: 1.083 to 2.975) or 1.654 times ( HR=1.654, 95% CI: 1.022 to 2.678) higher than that in Q1 group. The area under the curve (95% CI) of SF for predicting the incidence of lean NAFLD at 2-, 3-, 7- and 8-year follow-up based on time-dependent ROC were 0.645 (0.593 to 0.698), 0.652 (0.603 to 0.700), 0.605 (0.539 to 0.672) and 0.716 (0.597 to 0.836), respectively. Conclusion:SF is an independent risk factor for lean NAFLD and has predictive value for the new-onset of lean NAFLD.

To investigate the role of intestinal fungi in the progression of heart failure (HF) associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

BACKGROUND: T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma/acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-LBL/ALL) is an aggressive form of hematological malignancy associated with poor prognosis in adult patients. Histone deacetylases (HDACs) are aberrantly expressed in T-LBL/ALL and are considered potential therapeutic targets. Here, we investigated the antitumor effect of a novel HDAC inhibitor, chidamide, on T-LBL/ALL. METHODS: HDAC1, HDAC2 and HDAC3 levels in T-LBL/ALL cell lines and patient samples were compared with those in normal controls. Flow cytometry, transmission electron microscopy, and lactate dehydrogenase release assays were conducted in Jurkat and MOLT-4 cells to assess apoptosis and pyroptosis. A specific forkhead box O1 (FOXO1) inhibitor was used to rescue pyroptosis and upregulated gasdermin E (GSDME) expression caused by chidamide treatment. The role of the FOXO1 transcription factor was evaluated by dual-luciferase reporter and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays. The efficacy of chidamide in vivo was evaluated in a xenograft mouse. RESULTS: The expression of HDAC1, HDAC2 and HDAC3 was significantly upregulated in T-LBL/ALL. Cell viability was obviously inhibited after chidamide treatment. Pyroptosis, characterized by cell swelling, pore formation on the plasma membrane and lactate dehydrogenase leakage, was identified as a new mechanism of chidamide treatment. Chidamide triggered pyroptosis through caspase 3 activation and GSDME transcriptional upregulation. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays confirmed that chidamide led to the increased transcription of GSDME through a more relaxed chromatin structure at the promoter and the upregulation of FOXO1 expression. Moreover, we identified the therapeutic effect of chidamide in vivo . CONCLUSIONS This study suggested that chidamide exerts an antitumor effect on T-LBL/ALL and promotes a more inflammatory form of cell death via the FOXO1/GSDME axis, which provides a novel choice of targeted therapy for patients with T-LBL/ALL.
Humans ; Pyroptosis/drug effects* ; Forkhead Box Protein O1/genetics* ; Aminopyridines/pharmacology* ; Animals ; Mice ; Benzamides/pharmacology* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Precursor T-Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma/drug therapy* ; Phosphate-Binding Proteins/metabolism* ; Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors/pharmacology* ; Jurkat Cells ; Histone Deacetylases/metabolism* ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Gasdermins

Objective:To investigate the effect of changes in metabolic syndrome status and persistence on carotid plaque risk.Methods:This retrospective cohort study analyzed individuals who underwent routine health check-ups at the health management center of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University from 2014 to 2023. Participants with at least three carotid ultrasound records meeting the inclusion criteria were classified into 4 groups based on changes in metabolic status: persistently metabolic health, transitioning from metabolic health to unhealth, transitioning from metabolic unhealth to health, and persistently metabolic unhealth. The cumulative incidence of carotid plaque in these groups was compared. A Cox proportional risk model was used to evaluate the relationship between changes in metabolic syndrome status, the number of metabolic syndrome components, and the risk of carotid plaque development. Restricted cubic spline analysis was applied to explore the association between changes in individual metabolic syndrome components and carotid plaque risk.Results:Compared to the persistently metabolic health group, the persistent unhealth group had the highest risk of developing carotid plaque( HR=1.35, 95% CI 1.05-1.74, P=0.021), followed by those who transitioned from metabolic health to unhealth and those who improved from metabolic unhealth to health. Furthermore, the risk of carotid plaque increased progressively with the number of metabolic syndrome components. Restricted cubic spline analysis revealed a nonlinear relationship between fasting blood glucose change and carotid plaque risk, while systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, waist circumference, triglycerides, and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol showed a linear dose-response relationship with carotid plaque. Conclusions:The change of metabolic syndrome is associated with the risk of developing carotid plaque, and maintaining metabolic health, recovering from metabolic syndrome, or minimizing the number of metabolic syndrome components may be effective strategies to prevent carotid plaque formation.

Objective:To explore the relationship between thyroid hormone sensitivity and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease(MASLD) in a population with normal thyroid function, with a particular focus on sex-specific differences.Methods:This retrospective study included 41 355 euthyroid cases who underwent routine health examinations at the Health Management Centre of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University from January 2014 to December 2023 were included. The free triiodothyronine(FT 3) to free thyroxine(FT 4) ratio(FT 3/FT 4) was calculated in order to reflect the peripheral sensitivity of the thyroid gland. Similarly, thyroid feedback quantile-based index(TFQI), thyrotrophic thyroxine resistance index(TT 4RI), and the FT 3-based TFQI-derived index(TFQI-FT 3) were calculated in order to reflect the central sensitivity of the thyroid gland. A Logistic regression was employed to analyse the effect of sex-specific thyroid hormone sensitivity indices on the prevalence of MASLD. The restricted cubic spline was used to analyse the non-linear relationship between the thyroid sensitivity hormone indices and MASLD. Furthermore, the correlation between the thyroid hormone sensitivity indices and MASLD in different subgroups was also analysed. Results:The prevalence of MASLD in the study population was 28.8%. After adjusting the model for confounders, the risk of MASLD increased by 7%, 3%, 10%, and 5% for each standard deviation increase in FT 3/FT 4, TFQI, TFQI-FT 3, and TT 4RI in the total population, respectively. The risk of MASLD increased by 6% and 5% for each standard deviation increase in FT 3/FT 4 and TFQI-FT 3 in men, respectively. For each standard deviation increase in FT 3/FT 4, TFQI, TFQI-FT 3, and TT 4RI in women, the risk of MASLD increased by 6%, 5%, 11%, and 5%, respectively. Higher FT 3/FT 4 and TFQI-FT 3 were positively associated with the risk of developing MASLD in men, and higher FT 3/FT 4, TFQI, TFQI-FT 3, and TT 4RI were positively associated with the risk of developing MASLD in women. There was a non-linear, inverted U-shaped relationship between TFQI and risk of MASLD in women. Subgroup analyses showed positive associations between FT 3/FT 4, TFQI, TFQI-FT 3, and MASLD. Conclusions:The thyroid hormone sensitivity indices may provide a basis for clinical prevention and management of MASLD in individuals with normal thyroid function. Additionally, FT 3/FT 4 and TFQI-FT 3 may indicate the risk of MASLD in the general population, while TFQI and TT 4RI are more suitable for assessing the risk of MASLD in women.

Objective To systematically review and quantify the content and structure of the non-accompanied wards policy texts at the provincial level in China from the perspective of policy tools,providing references and insights for optimizing and implementing future policies.Methods Using the policy analysis tools as framework,it applies content ana lysis to construct a two-dimensional analytical framework with the X-dimension and Y-dimension.A total of 19 policy texts related to non-accompanied ward issued by provincial governments in China from January 2000 to August 2024 were coded and analyzed.Results A total of 141 entries were coded.In the X-dimension,supply-oriented,demand-oriented,and environment-oriented policy tools accounted for 21.28%,19.86%,and 58.86%,respectively,indicating a greater reliance on environmental-oriented policy tools;In the Y-dimension,policies from the"12th Five-Year Plan"(16.31%),"13th Five-Year Plan"(14.89%),and"14th Five-Year Plan"(68.80%)phases were analyzed.The number of policies in the"14th Five-Year Plan"phase was the highest among the three periods.Conclusion The policy framework for non-accompanied wards in China is still in its initial exploration phase and has room for improvement.It is recommended that future policies optimize the use of policy tools,strengthen coordination among them,and support the development of non-accompanied wards.

Objective:To analyze the application of antitoxin therapy in severe infant botulism.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 14 cases of severe infant botulism treated at 3 pediatric medical centers from July 2020 to August 2024. This study investigated antitoxin dosage, treatment duration, discontinuation criteria and adverse reactions.Results:A total of 14 cases (12 males and 2 females) were included, with an age of 5.0 (3.8, 7.0) months. Botulinum toxin typing revealed 10 cases of Type B, 2 cases of Type A and 2 untyped cases. The interval from symptom onset to antitoxin administration was 9.0 (6.0, 11.5) d. The initial dosage of type A antitoxin was 12 500 (10 000, 22 500) U, while type B was 5 000 (5 000, 5 000) U. The dosage was tapered in some cases after symptom improvement, the duration of treatment was 16.5 (9.8, 25.3) d. In total, 11 infants discontinued medications after improvement in muscle strength, while 3 infants discontinued treatment after obtaining negative results from fecal mouse bioassays. Adverse events were reported in 2 cases, both of which resulted in rash, and 1 case was complicated with anaphylactic shock. All the patients survived upon discharge with a follow-up period of 11 d to 3 years and 8 months. Totally 12 infants had fully recovered, while 2 infants were still recovering after discharge.Conclusion:Antitoxin therapy is a feasible and safe approach which showed favorable prognosis in severe infant botulism.

Objective:To understand the management of children with pediatric acute liver failure (PALF) in pediatric intensive care unit (PICU).Methods:A retrospective case-control study was conducted. A total of 101 children with PALF hospitalized in PICU of Beijing Children′s Hospital from July 2017 to October 2022 were included. Demographic, clinical management and prognosis data were collected. According to whether PALF was the main diagnosis, the patients were divided into primary diagnosis group and complication group. The primary diagnosis group was subdivided into effective group and ineffective group with routine treatment (except liver transplantation). The intergroup comparisons were performed using independent samples t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, χ2 test or Fisher exact test. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was employed to identify risk factors associated with prognosis. Results:Among the 101 children with PALF, 58 were male and 43 were female, with an age of 30 (10, 103) months, 60 cases in primary diagnosis group and 41 cases in complication group. There were no significant differences in prothrombin time (PT) and international normalized ratio (INR) between the two groups (both P>0.05), while the total bilirubin, direct bilirubin and blood ammonia were all significantly higher in the primary diagnosis group (all P<0.05). Unoriginal liver failure (25 cases (42%)) and poisoning (13 cases (22%)) were the most common causes of PALF in the primary diagnosis group, while shock (17 cases, 43%) and hemophagocytic syndrome (14 cases (34%)) in the complication group. The mortality rate of the main diagnosis group was significantly lower than that of the complication group (25% (15/60) vs. 61% (25/41), χ2=13.18, P<0.001), as well as the incidence of combined organ function injury, while the amount of plasma used and the ratio of plasma exchange times to PICU hospitalization days were significantly higher (all P<0.05). In the primary diagnosis group, there were 32 cases (53%) in the effective group and 28 cases (47%) in the ineffective group. In the ineffective group, 15 cases (54%) died and 13 cases (46%) were transferred to another site for liver transplantation assessment. The hospitalization time of PICU in the effective group was significantly longer than that in the ineffective group, while the ratio of plasma exchange times to PICU hospitalization days, the average daily hours of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT), the rate of CRRT and the average daily plasma dosage in the effective group were all significantly lower than those in the ineffective group (all P<0.05). The worst PT, INR and blood ammonia, and the stage 4 hepatic encephalopathy morbidity and significant bleeding rate in the effective group were all significantly lower than those in the ineffective group (all P<0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that after adjusting for age, sex, total bilirubin, INR and blood ammonia, stage 4 hepatic encephalopathy was the independent risk factor for the failure of routine treatment of PALF ( OR=84.16,95% CI 4.04-1752.37, P=0.004). Conclusions:PT and INR could not specifically represent liver synthetic function in some PICU patients, so current PALF diagnostic criteria for PICU children has limitations. Complicated with stage 4 hepatic encephalopathy was an independent risk factor of the failure of conventional treatment in patients with PALF.

The incidence rate of allergic rhinitis(AR)is high and difficult to cure,which seriously affects the quality of life of patients.The theory of"deficient qi inducing stagnation"is highly consistent with the occurrence and development of this disease.This article believed that the"deficient qi"state of the deficiency of the lungs,spleen and kidney was the fundamental factor of the onset of AR,and the external pathogenic factors,cold,dampness and endogenous phlegm,stasis and turbidity caused by"deficient qi"were the inducing and aggravating factors of AR.It proposed to cultivate the earth to produce gold,gold and water to"replenish the deficient qi",to dispel the wind,to dissipate cold and dampness,to dispel phlegm and dampness,and to reducing stasis and promoting circulation,and to use the two-way regulation of strengthening the healthy qi and dispelling the pathogens,so that the healthy qi could be filled and the pathogen stagnation could be dispelled,in order to provide ideas for the TCM treatment of this disease.