Objective To investigate the suitable habitats of Phlebotomus chinensis in Gansu Province, so as provide insights into effective management of mountain-type zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis (MT-ZVL). Methods The geographical coordinates of locations where MT-ZVL cases were reported were retrieved in Gansu Province from 2015 to 2023, and data pertaining to 26 environmental variables were captured, including 19 climatic variables (annual mean temperature, mean diurnal range, isothermality, temperature seasonality, maximum temperature of the warmest month, minimum temperature of the coldest month, temperature annual range, mean temperature of the wettest quarter, mean temperature of the driest quarter, mean temperature of the warmest quarter, mean temperature of the coldest quarter, annual precipitation, precipitation of the wettest month, precipitation of the driest month, precipitation seasonality, precipitation of the wettest quarter, precipitation of the driest quarter, precipitation of the warmest quarter, and precipitation of the coldest quarter), five geographical variables (elevation, annual normalized difference vegetation index, vegetation type, landform type and land use type), and two population and economic variables (population distribution and gross domestic product). Twelve species distribution models were built using the biomod2 package in R project, including surface range envelope (SRE) model, generalized linear model (GLM), generalized additive model (GAM), multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS) model, generalized boosted model (GBM), classification tree analysis (CTA) model, flexible discriminant analysis (FDA) model, maximum entropy (MaxEnt) model, optimized maximum entropy (MAXNET) model, artificial neural network (ANN) model, random forest (RF) model, and extreme gradient boosting (XGBOOST) model. The performance of 12 models was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), true skill statistics (TSS), and Kappa coefficient, and single models with high performance was selected to build the optimal ensemble models. Factors affecting the survival of Ph. chinensis were identified based on climatic, geographical, population and economic variables. In addition, the suitable distribution areas of Ph. chinensis were predicted in Gansu Province under shared socioeconomic pathway 126 (SSP126), SSP370 and SSP585 scenarios based on climatic data during the period from 1991 to 2020, from 2041 to 2060 (2050s), and from 2081 to 2100 (2090s) . Results A total of 11 species distribution models were successfully built for prediction of potential distribution areas of Ph. chinensis in Gansu Province, and the RF model had the highest predictive accuracy (AUC = 0.998). The ensemble model built based on the RF model, XGBOOST model, GLM, and MARS model had an increased predictive accuracy (AUC = 0.999) relative to single models. Among the 26 environmental factors, precipitation of the wettest quarter (12.00%), maximum temperature of the warmest month (11.58%), and annual normalized difference vegetation index (11.29%) had the greatest contributions to suitable habitats distribution of Ph. sinensis. Under the climatic conditions from 1991 to 2020, the potential suitable habitat area for Ph. chinensis in Gansu Province was approximately 5.80 × 10⁴ km², of which the highly suitable area was 1.42 × 10⁴ km², and primarily concentrated in the southernmost region of Gansu Province. By the 2050s, the unsuitable and lowly suitable areas for Ph. chinensis in Gansu Province had decreased by varying degrees compared to that of 1991 to 2020 period, while the moderately and highly suitable areas exhibited expansion and migration. By the 2090s, under the SSP126 scenario, the suitable habitat area for Ph. chinensis increased significantly, and under the SSP585 scenario, the highly suitable areas transformed into extremely suitable areas, also showing substantial growth. Future global warming is conducive to the survival and reproduction of Ph. chinensis. From the 2050s to the 2090s, the highly suitable areas for Ph. chinensis in Gansu Province will be projected to expand northward. Under the SSP126 scenario, the suitable habitat area for Ph. chinensis in Gansu Province is expected to increase by 194.75% and 204.79% in the 2050s and 2090s, respectively, compared to that of the 1991 to 2020 period. Under the SSP370 scenario, the moderately and highly suitable areas will be projected to increase by 164.40% and 209.03% in the 2050s and 2090s, respectively, while under the SSP585 scenario, they are expected to increase by 195.98% and 211.66%, respectively. Conclusions The distribution of potential suitable habitats of Ph. sinensis gradually shifts with climatic changes. Intensified surveillance and management of Ph. sinensis is recommended in central and eastern parts of Gansu Province to support early warning of MT-ZVL.

Objective:To explore the related factors of vascular complications after liver transplantation in children.Methods:This is a retrospective case series research. The clinical data of 89 pediatric liver transplant patients admitted to the Organ Transplantation Center, the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from January 2016 to March 2024 were collected retrospectively. This study included 44 males and 45 females,aged from 4 months to 17 years. The ratio of graft to recipient weight was 0.6% to 7.7%. The primary diseases included 48 cases of biliary atresia and 41 cases of non-biliary atresia. The Wilcoxon rank sum test, χ2 test, and Fisher′s exact probability method were used for data analysis. Multivariate Logistic regression was used to analyze the related factors of vascular complications. Results:All 89 children with liver transplantation completed surgery successfully. There were 8 cases of arterial complications after surgery, including 6 cases of hepatic artery thrombosis and 2 cases of hepatic artery stenosis. There were 16 cases of portal vein complications after surgery, including 9 cases of portal vein stenosis and 7 cases of portal vein thrombosis. The results of univariate analysis showed that the age of the recipient ≤1 year was the relevant factor for hepatic arterial complications( χ 2=4.772, P=0.029). The age of the recipient ≤1 year, the age of the donor, the hepatic phase, and the time of cold ischemia were the relevant factors for the occurrence of portal vein complications( χ 2=7.270, Z=388.500, Z=838.000, Z=894.500;all P<0.05). The results of multivariate analysis showed that age(≤1 year vs. >1 year) and duration of cold ischemia(every additional 1 hour) were independent related factors for portal vein complications after liver transplantation in children(both P<0.05). Conclusion:Children aged ≤1 year and with prolonged cold ischemia are more likely to develop portal vein complications after liver transplantation.

Objective:To analyze the prognostic outcomes of 1 147 patients who underwent liver transplantation at Qingdao University Affiliated Hospital and to summarize measures to enhance the efficacy of liver transplantation.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical and follow-up data of 1 147 liver transplant patients at Qingdao University Affiliated Hospital.Results:The overall postoperative 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates for the 1 147 liver transplant patients were 87.20%, 73.40%, and 65.60%, respectively. The survival rates for benign disease liver transplant recipients were 88.01%, 84.98%, and 81.39% at 1, 3, and 5 years post-transplant, respectively, compared to recipients transplanted for malignancies of 78.11%, 64.41%, and 60.06% (all P<0.001). Among the mid vs more recent period, patients' 1-year and 3-year postoperative survival rates were 84.20%, 70.80% vs 90.50%, 71.70%, respectively,significantly in favor of recently enrolled patients ( P=0.022). In the complex surgery group, patients' 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates were 82.70%, 65.50%, 56.70%, while in less complicated group, it was 89.00%, 76.50%, 69.20% ( P<0.001). The primary causes of death for benign disease recipients were multi-organ failure (4.1%), while in recipients with malignant disease primary cause of death was tumor recurrence (23.7%). Postoperative complications included primary graft dysfunction, delayed graft function recovery, portal vein thrombosis, hepatic artery thrombosis, biliary stricture, post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder, and graft-versus-host disease, with occurrence rates of 1.05%, 6.89%, 1.92%, 0.44%, 2.00%, 0.61%, and 0.44%, respectively. Conclusions:With the continuous improvement in surgical techniques and perioperative care levels, the 3-year survival rate of recipients at our center has increased. Malignant diseases and complex liver transplantation remain crucial factors affecting recipient prognosis, highlighting the need to further enhance comprehensive treatment capabilities for patients with malignant diseases and complex surgeries.

Objective:To explore the related factors of vascular complications after liver transplantation in children.Methods:This is a retrospective case series research. The clinical data of 89 pediatric liver transplant patients admitted to the Organ Transplantation Center, the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from January 2016 to March 2024 were collected retrospectively. This study included 44 males and 45 females,aged from 4 months to 17 years. The ratio of graft to recipient weight was 0.6% to 7.7%. The primary diseases included 48 cases of biliary atresia and 41 cases of non-biliary atresia. The Wilcoxon rank sum test, χ2 test, and Fisher′s exact probability method were used for data analysis. Multivariate Logistic regression was used to analyze the related factors of vascular complications. Results:All 89 children with liver transplantation completed surgery successfully. There were 8 cases of arterial complications after surgery, including 6 cases of hepatic artery thrombosis and 2 cases of hepatic artery stenosis. There were 16 cases of portal vein complications after surgery, including 9 cases of portal vein stenosis and 7 cases of portal vein thrombosis. The results of univariate analysis showed that the age of the recipient ≤1 year was the relevant factor for hepatic arterial complications( χ 2=4.772, P=0.029). The age of the recipient ≤1 year, the age of the donor, the hepatic phase, and the time of cold ischemia were the relevant factors for the occurrence of portal vein complications( χ 2=7.270, Z=388.500, Z=838.000, Z=894.500;all P<0.05). The results of multivariate analysis showed that age(≤1 year vs. >1 year) and duration of cold ischemia(every additional 1 hour) were independent related factors for portal vein complications after liver transplantation in children(both P<0.05). Conclusion:Children aged ≤1 year and with prolonged cold ischemia are more likely to develop portal vein complications after liver transplantation.

Objective:To analyze and predict the transmission risk of visceral leishmaniasis in Gansu Province based on an ecological niche model, providing a basis for the development of precise prevention and control measures and epidemic surveillance.Methods:The information of reported cases of visceral leishmaniasis in Gansu Province from 2015 to 2021 were collected from the National Infectious Disease Reporting Information Management System, and the longitude and latitude coordinates of the distribution points of cases and the data of 19 climate variables, 5 geographical variables and 2 socio-economic variables within the region were obtained. Based on an ecological niche model, a model for predicting the transmission risk of visceral leishmaniasis was constructed using the maximum entropy algorithm (MaxEnt), and its performance was evaluated by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Then the importance of each environmental variable of the model was evaluated, and the distribution area of visceral leishmaniasis transmission risk in Gansu Province was predicted.Results:A total of 368 cases of visceral leishmaniasis were reported in Gansu Province from 2015 to 2021, of which 89.13% (328/368) were from Longnan City and Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (Gannan Prefecture). The number of cases peaked in 2017 (79 cases, 21.47%). The model had high prediction accuracy (AUC = 0.985). The results of model analysis showed that the important climate variable affecting the distribution of visceral leishmaniasis was the average temperature in the coldest quarter (contribution value of 3.1), the geographical variables were land use type (contribution value of 52.6) and vegetation cover type (contribution value of 8.5), and the socio-economic variable was population size (contribution value of 14.3). The distribution results of transmission risk showed that high, medium and low risk areas exhibited a gradual transition from the southern part to the northwest part of Gansu Province. The high risk areas were mainly located in the central and southern parts of Longnan City and the southern part of Gannan Prefecture, accounting for 0.18% of the total area of the province. Medium and low risk areas accounted for 0.48% and 2.47% of the total area of the province, respectively; and areas with no risk accounted for 96.87%.Conclusions:The ecological niche model predicts that the spread of visceral leishmaniasis in Gansu Province is characterized by point like dispersion and local high aggregation distribution. It is necessary to strengthen monitoring and prevention and control of high-risk areas such as Longnan City and Gannan Prefecture.

Objective:To analyze the epidemic status and spatial and temporal cluster distribution of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in Gansu Province, and to provide evidence for making precise prevention and control measures and epidemic surveillance.Methods:The data of VL cases in Gansu Province reported in the China Disease Prevention and Control Information System Infectious Disease Reporting Information Management System from 2015 to 2021 were collected, descriptive epidemiology analysis was performed (three distribution of the disease). SaTScan v9.6 and ArcMap 10.7 were used for spatio-temporal cluster analysis.Results:A total of 368 VL cases were reported from 2015 to 2021, 89.13% (328/368) were concentrated in Longnan City and Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. The number of VL cases increased year by year from 2015 to 2017, reaching a peak in 2017 (79 cases, accounting for 21.47%), and had decreased year by year since 2018. There were cases every month throughout the year, and the peak was in April in spring (38 cases). The ratio of male to female patients was 1.3 ∶ 1.0 (208/160). Scattered children aged less than 5 years old were more common (41.30%, 152/368). The spatio-temporal cluster analysis showed that both the spatial and temporal aggregation zones of VL in Tanchang County and Chengxian County were of statistical significance ( P < 0.05). Conclusion:The incidence of VL in Gansu Province is showing a low epidemic trend, having spatio-temporal aggregation, and precise monitoring and prevention and control should be strengthened in epidemic areas with different prevalence levels.

Objective:To explore the impact of donor cold ischemia time(CIT)on early recovery after liver transplantation(LT).Methods:From January 2016 to December 2020, the relevant clinical data were retrospectively reviewed for 456 LT recipients.According to the value of CIT of donor liver, they were assigned into two groups of CIT >5 h and CIT≤5 h. T, Mann-Whitney U or Chi square test was employed for statistical processing.Intraoperative findings and liver function(LF)parameters of two groups were compared, including operative duration, intraoperative volume of hemorrhage, erythrocyte transfusion and anhepatic phase.LF parameters included alanine aminotransferase(ALT), aspartate aminotransferase(AST)and total bilirubin(TB)within Day 1-7 post-LT.Postoperative recovery was evaluated by postoperative stay of intensive care unit(ICU), normalization time of liver function recovery, length of postoperative hospitalization and incidence of postoperative complications.Results:Among them, 407(89.3%)patients underwent classic orthotopic LT.Median CIT of donor liver was 309 min.In CIT≤5 h and CIT >5 h groups, operative duration was[(446.3+ 76.8)vs.(526.0+ 98.1)min], anhepatic phase time[(51.9+ 13.3)vs.(62.6+ 18.9)min]and intraoperative volume of erythrocyte transfusion[(7.3+ 5.8)vs.(10.0+ 6.87)U]. And the differences were statistically significant( P<0.001, 0.001 & 0.001). Postoperative hospitalization stay was longer[(29.1±15.9)vs.(27.1±13.0)]day.And the incidence of postoperative complications was higher in CIT >5 h group[22.7%(54/238)vs.12.4%(27/218)]. And the difference was statistically significant( P=0.045 & 0.004). As compared with CIT≤5 h group, ALT, AST & TB spiked in CIT >5 h group at Day 1 post-operation and the differences were statistically significant( P=0.002, P<0.001, P=0.001). In CIT >5 h group, ALT rose at Day 2/5/6/7 post-LT( P=0.026, 0.026, 0.015 & 0.011), AST jumped from Days 2-6( P=0.002, 0.004, 0.035, 0.029 and 0.019)and TB increased from Days 2-7 post-LT and the differences were statistically significant( P=0.003, 0.014, 0.030, 0.039, 0.027 & 0.009). LF recovered at CIT≤5 h and CIT>5 h group[(10.0±3.2)vs.(10.7±3.3)day]. There were significantly statistical differences( P=0.044). Conclusions:Non-conducive to patient recovery, prolonged cold ischemic time aggravates early LF injury post-LT.

Objective:To investigate the surgical efficacy of split liver transplantation.Methods:Patients who underwent liver transplantation at the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University between January 2015 and December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. They were divided into split liver transplantation group ( n=60) and whole liver transplantation group ( n=765)according to graft types.In the split liver transplantation group, there were 23 males and 37 females, aged (52.5±10.2) years, and the body mass index was (22.4±3.3) kg/m 2. In the whole liver transplantation group, there were 630 males and 135 females, aged (51.2±9.6) years, and body mass index was (24.5±3.7) kg/m 2.The basic data of the two groups were matched 1∶1 using the propensity score matching method. The independent sample t test and χ2 test were used to compare the intraoperative and postoperative recovery of the two groups of donors and recipients. The overall survival rate and the graft survival rate of the two groups were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier method and the cumulative survival rate was compared by the Log-rank test. Results:Fifty-one well-matched pairs of data with similar baseline characteristics were obtained. The ratio of graft mass to recipient body weight in the matched split liver transplantation group was (1.78±0.55)%. Operation time( M(IQR))(10.8(1.5)hours vs. 8.0(1.9)hours, U=6.608, P<0.01) and cold ischaemia time(5.4(1.3)hours vs. 4.6(2.2)hours, U=2.825, P=0.005) were significantly longer in the split liver transplantation group than those in the whole liver transplantation group. Intra-operative anhepatic phase(53.0(15.0)minutes vs. 57.0(24.0)minutes, U=1.048, P=0.295),bleeding volume(1 000(1 400)ml vs. 1 200(1 200)ml, U=0.966, P=0.334) and intraoperative instillation of red blood cells(9.0(6.5)U vs. 11.0(11.0)U, U=1.732, P=0.083) were not significantly different between the two groups. However,the split liver transplantation group showed significantly longer postoperative intensive care unit stay(5.0(3.0)days vs. 4.0(4.0)days, U=2.677, P=0.007) and postoperative hospital stay(30.0(15.0)days vs. 26.0(15.0)days, U=2.237, P=0.025) and significantly higher incidence of postoperative complications(56.8%(29/51) vs. 36.6%(19/51), χ2=3.935, P=0.047) than the whole liver transplantation group. Furthermore,levels of alanine transaminase and aspartate aminotransferase were significantly higher on postoperative days 1,4 and 7 in the split liver transplantation group(all P<0.05) than in the whole liver transplantation group;however,there were no significant differences in these levels on postoperative days 14 and 28. The time to restoration of normal liver function in both groups(12.5(13.7)days vs. 9.0(12.5)days, U=1.607, P=0.108) was not statistically significant. Furthermore,the median follow-up time after surgery was 25.6 months in both groups. In postoperative years 1,2,3 and 5, the graft survival rates were 88.1%,80.8%,77.8% and 66.7% in the whole liver transplantation group and 80.3%,70.3%,67.3% and 60.5% in the split liver transplantation group( P=0.171),respectively. The patient survival rates in post-operative years 1,2,3 and 5 were 88.1%,80.8%,77.8% and 66.7% in the whole liver transplantation group and 80.3%,75.9%,70.3% and 63.3% in the split liver transplantation group,respectively( P=0.252). However,the differences of graft survival rates and patient survival rates between the two groups were not significant. Conclusion:Although it affects the early recovery of patients after liver transplantation,split liver transplantation has no effect on long-term survival rates and demonstrates surgical efficacy similar to that of whole liver transplantation.

Objective:To investigate the surgical efficacy of split liver transplantation.Methods:Patients who underwent liver transplantation at the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University between January 2015 and December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. They were divided into split liver transplantation group ( n=60) and whole liver transplantation group ( n=765)according to graft types.In the split liver transplantation group, there were 23 males and 37 females, aged (52.5±10.2) years, and the body mass index was (22.4±3.3) kg/m 2. In the whole liver transplantation group, there were 630 males and 135 females, aged (51.2±9.6) years, and body mass index was (24.5±3.7) kg/m 2.The basic data of the two groups were matched 1∶1 using the propensity score matching method. The independent sample t test and χ2 test were used to compare the intraoperative and postoperative recovery of the two groups of donors and recipients. The overall survival rate and the graft survival rate of the two groups were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier method and the cumulative survival rate was compared by the Log-rank test. Results:Fifty-one well-matched pairs of data with similar baseline characteristics were obtained. The ratio of graft mass to recipient body weight in the matched split liver transplantation group was (1.78±0.55)%. Operation time( M(IQR))(10.8(1.5)hours vs. 8.0(1.9)hours, U=6.608, P<0.01) and cold ischaemia time(5.4(1.3)hours vs. 4.6(2.2)hours, U=2.825, P=0.005) were significantly longer in the split liver transplantation group than those in the whole liver transplantation group. Intra-operative anhepatic phase(53.0(15.0)minutes vs. 57.0(24.0)minutes, U=1.048, P=0.295),bleeding volume(1 000(1 400)ml vs. 1 200(1 200)ml, U=0.966, P=0.334) and intraoperative instillation of red blood cells(9.0(6.5)U vs. 11.0(11.0)U, U=1.732, P=0.083) were not significantly different between the two groups. However,the split liver transplantation group showed significantly longer postoperative intensive care unit stay(5.0(3.0)days vs. 4.0(4.0)days, U=2.677, P=0.007) and postoperative hospital stay(30.0(15.0)days vs. 26.0(15.0)days, U=2.237, P=0.025) and significantly higher incidence of postoperative complications(56.8%(29/51) vs. 36.6%(19/51), χ2=3.935, P=0.047) than the whole liver transplantation group. Furthermore,levels of alanine transaminase and aspartate aminotransferase were significantly higher on postoperative days 1,4 and 7 in the split liver transplantation group(all P<0.05) than in the whole liver transplantation group;however,there were no significant differences in these levels on postoperative days 14 and 28. The time to restoration of normal liver function in both groups(12.5(13.7)days vs. 9.0(12.5)days, U=1.607, P=0.108) was not statistically significant. Furthermore,the median follow-up time after surgery was 25.6 months in both groups. In postoperative years 1,2,3 and 5, the graft survival rates were 88.1%,80.8%,77.8% and 66.7% in the whole liver transplantation group and 80.3%,70.3%,67.3% and 60.5% in the split liver transplantation group( P=0.171),respectively. The patient survival rates in post-operative years 1,2,3 and 5 were 88.1%,80.8%,77.8% and 66.7% in the whole liver transplantation group and 80.3%,75.9%,70.3% and 63.3% in the split liver transplantation group,respectively( P=0.252). However,the differences of graft survival rates and patient survival rates between the two groups were not significant. Conclusion:Although it affects the early recovery of patients after liver transplantation,split liver transplantation has no effect on long-term survival rates and demonstrates surgical efficacy similar to that of whole liver transplantation.

Objective:The aim of this study was to explore the associations of muscle size and density with handgrip strength(HGS)and the Timed Up and Go(TUG)test.Methods:Totally 301 participants living in the Xinjiekou community near Beijing Jishuitan Hospital were recruited for CT imaging of the hip and a 1-cm slice of the mid-thigh.The cross-sectional area and density of the gluteus maximus and the mid-thigh muscles were estimated by the Osirix viewer based on CT images.HGS and TUG were also performed in these subjects.Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the correlations of muscle density and size with TUG and grip strength.Results:In women, after adjustment for age and BMI, the density of the gluteus maximus was negatively correlated with TUG( P trend=0.0366), while the size of the gluteus maximus and the mid-thigh muscles was not correlated with TUG.In men, the density or size of these muscles was not correlated with TUG.After adjustment for age and BMI, the density of the gluteus maximus was positively correlated with grip strength( P trend=0.0334)and the size of the mid-thigh muscles was also positively correlated with grip strength( P trend=0.0155)in men, but they were not correlated with grip strength in women. Conclusions:There were sex differences in the relationship between muscle size or density and grip strength or timed up and go.The density of the gluteus maximus is associated with muscle strength and physical performance while the size of the mid-thigh muscles is correlated with muscle strength.