Objective To compare the application effects of different puncture techniques in the autonomous arteriovenous fistula puncture of patients undergoing hemodialysis,providing a reference for nurses in selecting puncture methods.Methods A total of 135 patients undergoing hemodialysis at a tertiary hospital in Changzhou from September 2023 to September 2024 were selected and randomly divided into 3 groups,including a multiple puncture group,a rope ladder puncture group,and a buttonhole puncture group.Follow-up was conducted every 3 months,and the first puncture success rate,puncture pain,diameter of blood scab at the puncture site,hemostasis time,and complications of arteriovenous fistula(infection,embolism,aneurysm,stenosis,intimal hyperplasia)were compared among the 3 groups.Results A total of 114 patients completed the study,with 40 in the multiple puncture group,42 in the rope ladder puncture group,and 32 in the buttonhole puncture group.The single-puncture success rate was higher in the multiple single-puncture group(99.4％)and the buttonhole puncture group(99.6％)than it in the rope-ladder puncture group(93.3％),with all P＜0.001.The scab diameter in the buttonhole puncture group(2 mm)was larger than that in the multiple single-puncture group(1 mm)and the rope-ladder puncture group(l mm),with all P＜0.001.The incidence of intimal hyperplasia in the buttonhole puncture group(34.3％)was higher than that in the multiple single-puncture group(10.0％)and the rope-ladder puncture group(11.9％),with all P＜0.05.Conclusion Each of the 3 arteriovenous fistula puncture techniques has its advantages and disadvantages.The multiple puncture group technique can improve the first puncture success rate,and it does not significantly increase the complications of arteriovenous fistula compared to the rope ladder and buttonhole techniques,making it suitable for widespread use.

BACKGROUND:The technique of ultrasound processing is widely used for molecular biological analysis.It is of great significance to study the DNA quality of tissue with different storage years under new ultrasonic treatment for further specimen quality control of molecular detection.OBJECTIVE:To explore the effects of different storage durations on DNA quality in specimens with ultrasound processing to investigate the optimal storage time for molecular tests.METHODS:Forty specimens of breast biopsy were collected and paraffin specimens were prepared by ultrasonography.These specimens were divided into four groups based on their storage periods:<1 year,1-3 years,>3-5 years,and>5 years,which contained 10 cases in each group.Paraffin specimens were sliced;each slice was 3 μm thick;10-15 slices were taken,and DNA was extracted.The mass concentration of DNA was examined by Nanophotometer N60 ultra-micro spectrophotometer and Qubit 4.0 fluorometer.The purity of the DNA was analyzed by the ratio of A260/A280.DNA fragment integrity was measured by capillary electrophoresis (Qsep 100) to evaluate the quality of the DNA fragments.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The mean values of A260/A280 in the four groups were between 1.8 and 2.0,meeting the requirements of tests,without significant differences.The mean values of DNA mass concentration (Qubit concentration) were 30.39,14.33,2.52,and 1.95 ng/μL,respectively.The mean values of the N/Q were 6.48,14.18,24.56,and 29.86.The mean values of DNA were:5.64,1.76,1.24,and 0.80.The percentage of large DNA fragments averaged 56.08％,17.72％,12.68％,and 7.90％.Moreover,the Ct values of the internal control detected by PCR were 15.32,17.09,18.39,and 21.24.The three other groups exhibited significantly lower DNA concentration,higher N/Q ratios,decreased DNA quality and percentage of large fragments,and increased values of Ct,compared with the group of within 1 year of storage (P<0.05).The experimental results suggested that for novel ultrasound processed biopsy specimens,we should prioritize samples stored within 1 year for molecular testing.Samples stored within 3 years can also meet the requirements of second-generation sequencing and other tests.Samples stored within 5 years can only be attempted to carry out PCR.Samples stored for more than 5 years were not recommended to carry out molecular tests.

Objective To compare the application effects of different puncture techniques in the autonomous arteriovenous fistula puncture of patients undergoing hemodialysis,providing a reference for nurses in selecting puncture methods.Methods A total of 135 patients undergoing hemodialysis at a tertiary hospital in Changzhou from September 2023 to September 2024 were selected and randomly divided into 3 groups,including a multiple puncture group,a rope ladder puncture group,and a buttonhole puncture group.Follow-up was conducted every 3 months,and the first puncture success rate,puncture pain,diameter of blood scab at the puncture site,hemostasis time,and complications of arteriovenous fistula(infection,embolism,aneurysm,stenosis,intimal hyperplasia)were compared among the 3 groups.Results A total of 114 patients completed the study,with 40 in the multiple puncture group,42 in the rope ladder puncture group,and 32 in the buttonhole puncture group.The single-puncture success rate was higher in the multiple single-puncture group(99.4％)and the buttonhole puncture group(99.6％)than it in the rope-ladder puncture group(93.3％),with all P＜0.001.The scab diameter in the buttonhole puncture group(2 mm)was larger than that in the multiple single-puncture group(1 mm)and the rope-ladder puncture group(l mm),with all P＜0.001.The incidence of intimal hyperplasia in the buttonhole puncture group(34.3％)was higher than that in the multiple single-puncture group(10.0％)and the rope-ladder puncture group(11.9％),with all P＜0.05.Conclusion Each of the 3 arteriovenous fistula puncture techniques has its advantages and disadvantages.The multiple puncture group technique can improve the first puncture success rate,and it does not significantly increase the complications of arteriovenous fistula compared to the rope ladder and buttonhole techniques,making it suitable for widespread use.

BACKGROUND:The technique of ultrasound processing is widely used for molecular biological analysis.It is of great significance to study the DNA quality of tissue with different storage years under new ultrasonic treatment for further specimen quality control of molecular detection.OBJECTIVE:To explore the effects of different storage durations on DNA quality in specimens with ultrasound processing to investigate the optimal storage time for molecular tests.METHODS:Forty specimens of breast biopsy were collected and paraffin specimens were prepared by ultrasonography.These specimens were divided into four groups based on their storage periods:<1 year,1-3 years,>3-5 years,and>5 years,which contained 10 cases in each group.Paraffin specimens were sliced;each slice was 3 μm thick;10-15 slices were taken,and DNA was extracted.The mass concentration of DNA was examined by Nanophotometer N60 ultra-micro spectrophotometer and Qubit 4.0 fluorometer.The purity of the DNA was analyzed by the ratio of A260/A280.DNA fragment integrity was measured by capillary electrophoresis (Qsep 100) to evaluate the quality of the DNA fragments.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The mean values of A260/A280 in the four groups were between 1.8 and 2.0,meeting the requirements of tests,without significant differences.The mean values of DNA mass concentration (Qubit concentration) were 30.39,14.33,2.52,and 1.95 ng/μL,respectively.The mean values of the N/Q were 6.48,14.18,24.56,and 29.86.The mean values of DNA were:5.64,1.76,1.24,and 0.80.The percentage of large DNA fragments averaged 56.08％,17.72％,12.68％,and 7.90％.Moreover,the Ct values of the internal control detected by PCR were 15.32,17.09,18.39,and 21.24.The three other groups exhibited significantly lower DNA concentration,higher N/Q ratios,decreased DNA quality and percentage of large fragments,and increased values of Ct,compared with the group of within 1 year of storage (P<0.05).The experimental results suggested that for novel ultrasound processed biopsy specimens,we should prioritize samples stored within 1 year for molecular testing.Samples stored within 3 years can also meet the requirements of second-generation sequencing and other tests.Samples stored within 5 years can only be attempted to carry out PCR.Samples stored for more than 5 years were not recommended to carry out molecular tests.

AIM: To investigate the efficacy and safety of ZKY001 eye drops with different concentrations in the treatment of corneal epithelial defects(CED)after primary pterygium excision.METHODS: This was a multicenter, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled phase II clinical trial. From March 15, 2022 to November 14, 2022, patients with primary pterygium who had undergone surgery were recruited from 12 tertiary hospitals across China. Using block randomization, 178 patients(178 eyes)were randomly assigned to 3 groups in a 1:1:1 ratio: 0.002% ZKY001 group(n=59), 0.004% ZKY001 group(n=59), and placebo group(n=60, receiving ZKY001 sham eye drops). Subjects in each group received 1 drop of the study drug 4 times per day for 4 d. The percentage of CED area recovery from baseline, the first complete healing time of CED area, the number of first complete healing cases of CED, and changes in visual analogue scale(VAS)scores for eye discomfort including eye pain, foreign body sensation, tearing and photophobia were observed.RESULTS: In terms of improvement in CED, there were no statistically significant differences among the three groups including the first healing time of CED, the percentage improvement in CED area compared to baseline, and the percentage of first healing cases at different follow-up visits(all P>0.05). Numerically, the first healing time of CED was shorter in the test groups compared to the placebo group(67.87±21.688 h for the 0.002% ZKY001 group, 61.48±22.091 h for the 0.004% ZKY001 group, and 68.85±20.851 h for the placebo group). On D1 morning, the percentage improvement in CED area compared to baseline was maximally different from the placebo group, and the numerical difference advantage was maintained at subsequent follow-up visits. The number of first healing cases in the CED area at different follow-up visits was higher in the test groups than the placebo group. In terms of improvement in ocular discomfort, the total VAS scores were lower in the test groups compared to the placebo group, mainly due to reductions in foreign body sensation and pain scores. At D3, the 0.004% ZKY001 group showed statistically significant improvement in foreign body sensation(P<0.017). In terms of safety, the overall incidence of adverse events was low(9.0%)and similar among groups.CONCLUSION: The use of ZKY001 eyedrops after primary pterygium surgery can safely improve the CED repair, and alleviate postoperative symptoms caused by CED.

Noise-induced hearing loss(NIHL)is a public health problem that requires immediate attention.Nearly one-third of hearing loss can be attributed to noise exposure.However,the molecular mechanism of NIHL is complex,and there is currently no specific drug available for preventing and treating NIHL.Therefore,it is particu-larly important to establish standardized preclinical research models of NIHL and identify molecular targets for treat-ment so as to carry out the prevention and drug treatment of NIHL effectively.In this article,we summarized the research methods and pharmacological treatment studies on NIHL to provide references for the prevention and treat-ment of NIHL.

Objective:To investigate the epidemiological characteristics and prognosis of critically ill patients with sepsis combined with acute kidney injury (AKI) in intensive care unit (ICU) in Beijing, and to analyze the risk factors associated with in-hospital mortality among these critically ill patients.Methods:Data were collected from the Beijing AKI Trial (BAKIT) database, including 9 049 patients consecutively admitted to 30 ICUs in 28 tertiary hospitals in Beijing from March 1 to August 31, 2012. Patients were divided into non-AKI and non-sepsis group, AKI and non-sepsis group, non-AKI and sepsis group, AKI and sepsis group. Clinical data recorded included demographic characteristics, primary reasons for ICU admission, comorbidities, sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA), acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ(APACHEⅡ) within 24 hours of ICU admission, physiological and laboratory indexes, treatment in the ICU, AKI staging based on the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO), as well as the prognostic indicators including length of stay in ICU, length of stay in hospital, ICU and in-hospital mortality. The primary endpoint was discharge or in-hospital death. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the risk factors for hospital death in ICU patients. Kaplan-Meier survival curve was drawn to analyze the cumulative survival of ICU patients during hospitalization.Results:A total of 3 107 critically ill patients were ultimately enrolled, including 1 259 cases in the non-AKI and non-sepsis group, 931 cases in the AKI and non-sepsis group, 264 cases in the non-AKI and sepsis groups, and 653 cases in the AKI and sepsis group. Compared with the other three group, patients in the AKI and sepsis group were the oldest, had the lowest mean arterial pressure (MAP), and the highest APACHEⅡscore, SOFA score, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and serum creatinine (SCr) levels, and they also had the highest proportion of receiving mechanical ventilation, requiring vasopressor support, and undergoing renal replacement therapy (RRT), all P < 0.01. Of these 3 107 patients, 1 584 (51.0%) were diagnosed with AKI, and the incidence of AKI in patients with sepsis was significantly higher than in those without sepsis [71.2% (653/917) vs. 42.5% (931/2 190), P < 0.01]. The highest proportion of KDIGO 0 stage was observed in the non-sepsis group (57.5%), while the highest proportion of KDIGO 3 stage was observed in the sepsis group (32.2%). Within the same KDIGO stage, the mortality of patients with sepsis was significantly higher than that of non-sepsis patients (0 stage: 17.8% vs. 3.1%, 1 stage: 36.3% vs. 7.4%, 2 stage: 42.7% vs. 17.1%, 3 stage: 54.6% vs. 28.6%, AKI: 46.1% vs. 14.2%). The ICU mortality (38.7%) and in-hospital mortality (46.1%) in the AKI and sepsis group were significantly higher than those in the other three groups. Kaplan-Meier survival curves further showed that the cumulative survival rate of patients with AKI and sepsis during hospitalization was significantly lower than that of the other three groups (53.9% vs. 96.9%, 85.8%, 82.2%, Log-Rank: χ2 = 379.901, P < 0.001). Subgroup analysis showed that among surviving patients, length of ICU stay and total length of hospital stay were significantly longer in the AKI and sepsis group than those in the other three groups (both P < 0.01). Multivariate regression analysis showed that age, APACHEⅡscore and SOFA score within 24 hours of ICU admission, coronary heart disease, AKI, sepsis, and AKI combined with sepsis were independent risk factors for ICU mortality in patients (all P < 0.05). After adjusting for covariates, AKI, sepsis, and sepsis combined with AKI were significantly associated with higher ICU and in-hospital mortality, with the highest ICU mortality [adjusted odds ratio ( OR) = 14.82, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) was 8.10-27.12; Hosmer-Lemeshow test: P = 0.816] and in-hospital mortality (adjusted OR = 7.40, 95% CI was 4.94-11.08; Hosmer-Lemeshow test: P = 0.708) observed in patients with sepsis combined with AKI. Conclusions:The incidence of AKI is high in sepsis patients, and those with both AKI and sepsis have a higher disease burden, more abnormalities in physiological and laboratory indicators, and significantly increased ICU and in-hospital mortality. Among surviving patients, the length of ICU stay and total length of hospital stay are also longer in the AKI and sepsis group. Age, APACHEⅡscore and SOFA score within 24 hours of ICU admission, coronary heart disease, AKI, and sepsis are independent risk factors for in-hospital mortality in ICU patients.

Objective:To investigate the correlation of LymphGen genotyping with the clinicopathologic characteristics, efficacy and prognosis in patients with newly diagnosed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL).Methods:A retrospective case series study was conducted. The clinicopathological data and follow-up information of 132 DLBCL patients diagnosed and treated in the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from January 2016 to January 2022 were collected. LymphGen genotyping was made based on the results of second-generation sequencing. The distributions of the main subtypes in the whole group and the stratification of all clinicopathological features were analyzed. The short-term efficacy of patients with different gene subtypes was compared. Survival analysis of patients with different gene subtypes was performed by using the Kaplan-Meier method.Results:Among the 132 patients, 69 were males and 63 were females. The median age was 60 years, with the age ranging from 13 to 87 years. Hans typing: germinal center B cell (GCB) type was detected in 49 cases, non-GCB type was detected in 81 cases, and the remaining 2 cases were unknown. Ann Arbor staging: 31 cases with stage Ⅰ-Ⅱ, 89 cases with stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ, and 9 primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) cases without stage, and the remaining 3 cases with unknown stage. Among the 132 patients, 64 cases (48.5%) were genotyped with LymphGen, including 6 cases (4.5%) of MCD subtype, 18 cases (13.6%) of A53 subtype, 17 cases (12.9%) of BN2 subtype, 3 cases (2.3%) of EZB subtype, 5 cases (3.8%) of ST2 subtype, and 15 cases (11.4%) of composite subtype, and 68 cases (51.5%) of the other subtypes; N1 subtype was not detected. The differences in the proportion of MCD subtype [5.0% (3/60) vs. 4.2% (3/71)], A53 subtype [16.7% (10/60) vs. 11.3% (8/71)], BN2 subtype [6.7% (4/60) vs. 18.3% (13/71)], EZB subtype [5.0% (3/60) vs. 0 (0/71)], ST2 subtype [5.0% (3/60) vs. 2.8% (2/71)], composite subtype [18.3% (11/60) vs. 5.6% (4/71)], other types [43.3% (26/60) vs. 57.7% (41/71)] were statistically significant between the patients with lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) < 245 U/L and those with LDH ≥245 U/L ( P = 0.023). There were no statistically significant differences in genotype distribution among subgroups with different age, gender, B symptoms, Hans typing, primary site, involvement site, Ann Arbor stage, international prognostic index score/international extranodal lymphoma study group score (all P > 0.05). After 4-6 courses treatment in PCNSL patients and 6-8 courses of standard first-line treatment in non-PCNSL patients, 17 patients with BN2 subtype [including 9 cases of complete remission (CR) and 4 cases of partial remission (PR)] and 3 patients with EZB subtype (including 2 cases of CR) had the higher proportion of those achieving good treatment outcomes. However, 15 patients with the composite subtype showed the worst outcomes including 5 cases of CR, 4 cases of PR, 1 case of stable disease, 3 cases of disease progression, and 2 death cases. The CR rates of the composite subtype group, non-composite subtype group, and other groups were 33.3% (5/15), 44.9% (22/49), and 66.2% (45/68), respectively; and the difference among these groups was statistically significant ( P = 0.034). The CR rate of composite type patients with BN2 subtype was higher compared to composite subtype patients without BN2 subtype (5/8 vs. 0/7), and the difference was statistically significant ( P = 0.023); 7 patients with A53 subtype combined with other subtypes except BN2 subtype did not achieve CR; 2 cases had PR, 3 cases had disease progression and 2 cases died. The median follow-up time was 26 months (ranging from 1 to 86 months) until the last follow-up in March 2023. There were no statistically significant differences in overall survival and progression-free survival among patients with different gene subtypes (all P > 0.05). Conclusions:The distribution of gene subtypes in DLBCL patients may be correlated with LDH levels. Patients with different gene subtypes show variations in short-term efficacy. The composite type patients with A53 subtype and without BN2 subtype have poor treatment outcomes, but no differences in overall survival and progression-free survival of patients with different gene subtypes are observed.

Objective:To establish standard spatial brain template and ROIs template of 11C-methyl- N-2β-carbomethoxy-3β-(4-fluorophenyl)tropane (CFT) PET images for automated quantitative analysis of dopamine transporter (DAT) distribution. Methods:From May 2014 to December 2015, 11C-CFT PET and MRI T 1 brain images of 16 healthy volunteers (3 males, 13 females; age (63.3±6.9) years) from Huashan Hospital, Fudan University were co-registered and smoothed using statistical parametric mapping(SPM)5 software based on MATLAB to create a standard spatial brain template. The ROIs template was established by ScAnVp procedures. These templates were clinically verified by using 11C-CFT PET images of 37 healthy volunteers (23 males, 14 females; age (61.7±7.1) years), 32 Parkinson′s disease (PD) patients (20 males, 12 females; age (61.1±5.4) years), 10 multiple system atrophy with predominant parkinsonism (MSA-P) patients (7 males, 3 females; age (60.8±7.1) years) and 10 progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) patients (5 males, 5 females; age (58.4±6.1) years) from Huashan Hospital, Fudan University between January 2014 and March 2019. One-way analysis of variance was used to analyze data. Results:Based on the 11C-CFT PET images and MRI T 1 images of healthy volunteers, a standard spatial brain template for normalization of 11C-CFT PET images was created. The ROIs template was established including seven regions: bilateral caudate, anterior putamen, posterior putamen (along the long axis) and the occipital cortex. The ROIs template was accurately aligned in each verification group. The normal reference values of semi-quantitative DAT distribution in caudate, anterior putamen and posterior putamen were obtained (1.84±0.13, 2.18±0.16, 1.77±0.11). The semi-quantitative values of 11C-CFT uptake in each ROI in patients were significantly lower than those in healthy volunteers ( F values: 49.79-283.83, all P<0.05). Conclusion:The established brain templates with accurate spatial alignment for 11C-CFT image analysis can provide foundational tools for the application of 11C-CFT PET imaging in clinical practice and scientific research.

OBJECTIVE: To track analysis of viral nucleic acid test results in patients with re-positive SARS-CoV-2 infection, and provide clinical reference for nucleic acid test of re-positive cases. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted. The multiple nucleic acid results of 96 cases with SARS-CoV-2 infection tested by medical laboratory of Shenzhen Luohu Hospital Group from January to September in 2022 were analyzed. The test dates and cycle threshold (Ct) values of detectable positive virus nucleic acid in the 96 cases were summarized and analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 96 patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection were retested re-sampled for nucleic acid testing at least 12 days after the initial positive screening. Among them, 54 cases (56.25%) had Ct value of < 35 for nucleocapsid protein gene (N) and/or open reading frame 1ab gene (ORF 1ab), 42 cases (43.75%) had Ct value ≥ 35. In the re-sampling of infected patients, N gene titers were 25.08 to 39.98 Ct cycles, and ORF 1ab gene titers were 23.16 to 39.56 Ct cycles. Compared with the positive results of the initial screening, the Ct values of N gene and/or ORF 1ab gene positive were increased in 90 cases (93.75%). Among them, the patients with the longest duration of nucleic acid positive could still be positive for double targets (the Ct value of N gene was 38.60, and the Ct value of ORF 1ab gene was 38.11) at an interval of 178 days after the initial positive screening. CONCLUSIONS Patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 can be sustained or repeatedly tested positive for nucleic acid for a long period of time, and most of them had Ct values < 35. But whether it is infectious needs to be comprehensively evaluated by combining epidemiology, variant type, samples with the alive virus, and clinical symptoms and signs.
Humans ; COVID-19 ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Retrospective Studies ; Hospital Units ; Nucleic Acids