Objective To investigate the epidemiological characteristics of patients with postcraniotomy meningitis(PM)caused by Gram-negative bacteria(GNB),and to evaluate the related risk factors for mortal-ity.Methods A total of 202 PM patients in Beijing Tiantan Hospital,Capital Medical University from May 2019 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed,including 54 cases in the death group and 148 cases in the survival group.The distribution of microorganisms in the two groups was analyzed,and Cox proportional hazards regression model was established to evaluate the risk factors of death.Results Among the 202 pa-tients with PM caused by GNB,with a mortality rate of 26.7%,Klebsiella pneumoniae(24.8%),Acinetobact-er baumannii(21.8%)and Escherichia coli(8.4%)were the top three isolated pathogens.The proportions of GNB distribution in the survival group and the death group were similar,but the bacteria distribution in the death group was more concentrate.Cox proportional hazards regression model results showed that hyperten-sion(HR=2.384,95%CI 1.229-4.626,P=0.010)and admission to ICU(HR=3.695,95%CI 1.412-9.670,P=0.008)were independent risk factors for death in patients with PM caused by GNB.Conclusion The mortality of PM caused by GNB is high.Hypertension and admission to ICU are independent risk factors for death of patients,and attention should be paid to prevention and treatment in clinical practice.

Objective To explore the application value of ultrasound combined with elastography in grading inflammation in patients with chronic liver disease at S2 stage of liver fibrosis.Methods Totally 51 patients who were hospitalized at Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from Jan.2022 to Mar.2024 and underwent liver biopsy with pathological results indicating a stage of S2 liver fibrosis in chronic liver disease were enrolled.All patients underwent ultrasound-guided liver biopsy to obtain the stage of pathological liver fibrosis(S1 to S4)and the grade of liver inflammation(G0 to G4).In addition,all the patients were examined by ultrasound combined with elastography;and shear wave velocity(Vs),acoustic attenuation coefficient(ATT),liver fibrosis index(LFI),fibrosis-related index(F index),and inflammatory activity index(A index)were obtained.The correlation between ultrasound combined with elastography parameters and pathological inflammation grading was analyzed.Results According to the pathological inflammation grading,there were 15 cases in group G1,28 cases in group G2,and 8 cases in group G3.There were significant differences in F index,A index,Vs and ATT among the 3 groups(all P＜0.05).Among them,F index,A index and Vs in group G1 were significantly lower than those in group G3(P=0.007,0.006,0.040),while ATT was significantly higher than that in group G3(P=0.005);and there was no significant difference in LFI among the 3 groups(P=0.373).Vs,ATT,F index and A index were correlated with pathological inflammation grade(r=0.404,-0.417,0.379,0.383;P=0.003,0.002,0.006,0.006).The mean plot showed that with the increase of pathological inflammation grade,the age of patients showed a linear upward trend,ATT showed a linear downward trend,and A index showed a linear upward trend.Vs was positively correlated with alanine transaminase(ALT),aspartate transaminase(AST),alkaline phosphatase(ALP),γ-glutamyltransferase(GGT),total bilirubin,and direct bilirubin(DBil)(all P＜0.05).ATT was negatively correlated with ALT,AST,GGT,and DBil(all P＜0.05);and both F index and A index were positively correlated with ALT,AST,ALP,GGT,and DBil(all P＜0.05).Conclusion Ultrasound combined with elastography can be used to evaluate the degree of inflammation in patients with chronic liver disease at S2 stage of liver fibrosis.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of Haematococcus pluvialis (HP) on bleomycin (BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice and on TGF-β1-induced human fetal lung fibroblasts (HFL1). METHODS: Thirty male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into control group, BLM-induced pulmonary fibrosis model group, low- and high-dose HP treatment groups (3 and 21 mg/kg, respectively), and 300 mg/kg pirfenidone (positive control) group. The effects of drug treatment for 21 days were assessed by examining respiratory function, lung histopathology, and expression of fibrosis markers in the lung tissues of the mouse models. In TGF-β1-induced HFL1 cell cultures, the effects of treatment with 120, 180 and 240 μg/mL HP or 1.85 μg/mL pirfenidone for 48 h on expression levels of fibrosis markers were evaluated. Transcriptome analysis was carried out using the control cells and cells treated with TGF-β1 and 240 μg/mL HP. RESULTS: HP obviously alleviated BLM-induced lung function damage and fibrotic changes in mice, evidenced by improved respiratory function, lung tissue morphology and structure, inflammatory infiltration, and collagen deposition and reduced expressions of fibrotic proteins. HP at the high dose produced similar effect to PFD. In TGF-β1-induced HFL1 cells, treatment with 240 μg/mL HP significantly reduced the mRNA and protein expression levels of α-SMA and FN. Transcriptome analysis revealed that multiple key genes and pathways mediated the protective effect of HP against pulmonary fibrosis. CONCLUSIONS HP alleviates pulmonary fibrosis in both the mouse model and cell model, possibly as the result of the synergistic effects of its multiple active components.
Animals ; Pulmonary Fibrosis/chemically induced* ; Bleomycin/adverse effects* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Male ; Mice ; Fibroblasts/drug effects* ; Lung/pathology* ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1/pharmacology* ; Myofibroblasts/drug effects* ; Humans ; Pyridones

Objective:To explore the impact of the two-way referral model on compliance and prognosis in patients with heart failure.Methods:This bidirectional cohort study enrolled chronic heart failure (CHF) patients treated at Qilu Hospital of Shandong University or designated primary hospitals between March 2018 and March 2022. Patients were categorized into two groups based on referral status: two-way referral group (participating in the referral model with≥1 follow-up visit at primary hospitals) and the core hospital group (receiving treatment and follow-up exclusively at Qilu Hospital). Baseline clinical characteristics were collected and compared between groups. Patients underwent followed-up, with primary endpoints including follow-up rate, drug (β-blockers, angiotension converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI)/angiotensin Ⅱ receptor blockers (ARB)/angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI), sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists) utilization rate and target dose achievement rate. Secondary endpoints encompassed changes from baseline in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDd), and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), plus cardiovascular mortality and heart failure rehospitalization. Generalized linear mixed models analyzed longitudinal trends in LVEF, LVEDd, and NT-proBNP levels. Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regression evaluated LVEF recovery rates, supplemented by subgroup analyses. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify factors influencing target dose achievement rate for β-blockers and ACEI/ARB/ARNI therapies in CHF patients.Results:A total of 357 patients were enrolled, aged 53 (41, 63) years, including 256 males (71.7%). 157 patients were in the two-way referral group and 200 patients in the core hospital-treated group. Compared with the core hospital-treated group, the two-way referral group had lower baseline LVEF (28 (22, 34)% vs. 31 (23, 36)%, P=0.021) and systolic blood pressure (116 (104, 125) mmHg vs. 121 (109, 134) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa), P=0.010). The 12-month follow-up rate of the two-way referral group was higher than the core hospital-treated group (73.8% vs. 56.0%, P=0.004). No significant between-group differences were observed in drug utilization rate of β-blockers, ACEI/ARB/ARNI, or sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors during follow-up (all P>0.05), while mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists use showed a declining trend in both groups. Although the core hospital-treated group had higher target dose achievement rates for β-blockers (65.4% vs. 49.3%, P=0.042) and ACEI/ARB/ARNI (79.8% vs. 65.8%, P=0.046) than the two-way referral group, multivariate logistic regression indicated that the two-way referral model was not a negative predictor for these outcomes (all P>0.05). Both groups showed improved NT-proBNP, LVEDd, and LVEF from baseline (all P<0.001) with no significant difference in trends between groups (all P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the composite incidence (7.6% vs. 6.5%, P=0.674) and cumulative incidence (log-rank P=0.684) of cardiovascular death and heart failure rehospitalization at 12 months between two groups. Conclusion:The two-way referral model demonstrates advantages in improving medication adherence, drug utilization rates, and targetdoseachievement rates among CHF patients. This model not only promotes cardiac functional recovery but also reduces risks of cardiovascular mortality and heart failure rehospitalization, achieving comparable therapeutic and management outcomes to those observed in core hospital-treated patients.

Objective To investigate the effect of Haematococcus pluvialis(HP)on bleomycin(BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice and on TGF-β1-induced human fetal lung fibroblasts(HFL1).Methods Thirty male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into control group,BLM-induced pulmonary fibrosis model group,low-and high-dose HP treatment groups(3 and 21 mg/kg,respectively),and 300 mg/kg pirfenidone(positive control)group.The effects of drug treatment for 21 days were assessed by examining respiratory function,lung histopathology,and expression of fibrosis markers in the lung tissues of the mouse models.In TGF-β1-induced HFL1 cell cultures,the effects of treatment with 120,180 and 240 μg/mL HP or 1.85 μg/mL pirfenidone for 48 h on expression levels of fibrosis markers were evaluated.Transcriptome analysis was carried out using the control cells and cells treated with TGF-β1 and 240 μg/mL HP.Results HP obviously alleviated BLM-induced lung function damage and fibrotic changes in mice,evidenced by improved respiratory function,lung tissue morphology and structure,inflammatory infiltration,and collagen deposition and reduced expressions of fibrotic proteins.HP at the high dose produced similar effect to PFD.In TGF-β1-induced HFL1 cells,treatment with 240 μg/mL HP significantly reduced the mRNA and protein expression levels of α-SMA and FN.Transcriptome analysis revealed that multiple key genes and pathways mediated the protective effect of HP against pulmonary fibrosis.Conclusion HP alleviates pulmonary fibrosis in both the mouse model and cell model,possibly as the result of the synergistic effects of its multiple active components.

Objective To construct a standardized training and evaluation index system for professional nurse engaged in lung puncture so as to enrich the training theory system and provide the basis for carrying out relevant work.Methods Using literature analysis method and expert interview way,the first draft of standardized training and evaluation index system for nurses working in lung puncture room was formulated.Two rounds of expert consultation were conducted in 17 experts.The obtained consultation opinions were summarized and revised,and the final version of index system was determined.Results The constructed standardized training and assessment index system for nurses working in lung puncture room included 4 level-Ⅰ indicators(training content,training methods,teaching staff,and assessment and evaluation),and 12 level-Ⅱindicators and 58 level-Ⅲ indicators.The positive coefficient was 100％in both rounds of consultation with experts.Of the two rounds of expert consultation,the expert judgment coefficients were 0.965 and 0.977 respectively,the familiarity coefficients were 0.859 and 0.859 respectively,and the authority coefficients were 0.912 and 0.918 respectively.After two rounds of expert consultation,the variation coefficients of indicators at all levels were 0-0.43 and 0-0.20 respectively.The Kendall's Coordination coefficients of the two rounds of expert consultation were 0.363(P＜0.001)and 0.554(P＜0.001)respectively.Conclusion The constructed standardized training and evaluation index system for nurses working in lung puncture room is scientific,practical,and operable,it can provide scientific standards for relevant assessment and training.

Objective:To evaluate the accuracy and safety profile of a novel cuboid orientation-guided frontal horn ventriculostomy technique in patients with large hemispheric infarction (LHI).Methods:It was conducted a retrospective cohort study of 48 consecutive LHI patients who underwent the innovative ventriculostomy procedure between time period. Primary outcomes included procedural accuracy (success rates, catheter positioning) and safety indicators (complication rates).Results:All the punctured ventricles were small or of normal size. The success rate of puncture was 100%, the success rate of one-time puncture was 87% (42/48), and the average number of puncture was 1.13 times per case. The ratio of well-positioned tube heads was 87.5% (42/48). The actual angle of the inward deviation of the puncture ranged from -2o to 5o, with an average of 0o±0.3o. The depth of puncture was 7.0-8.0 cm ( 7.3±0.3) cm. The incidence of bleeding around the puncture path was 1.3% (2/48 ) and no massive bleeding occurred. At the 6-month follow-up, one case (2.94%) among the 34 survivors had epilepsy.Conclusions:The cuboid orientation-guided frontal horn ventriculostomy technique demonstrates exceptional procedural accuracy and an excellent safety profile in LHI patients, with high first-pass success rates (87.5%) and minimal complications (4.2% minor hemorrhage). These findings support its clinical adoption for this patient population.

BACKGROUND:Mechanical alignment is the"gold standard"alignment technique in total knee arthroplasty,but regardless of advances in prosthetic materials and robotic-assisted navigation,mechanical alignment-total knee arthroplasty still has a patient dissatisfaction rate of about 20％.OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the early efficacy of navigation-assisted total knee arthroplasty using functional alignment.METHODS:A total of 44 consecutive cases(50 knees)that underwent computer navigation-assisted total knee arthroplasty with functional alignment from October 2019 to June 2023 were retrospectively analyzed,including 12 males(14 knees)and 32 females(36 knees).A total of 46 consecutive cases(50 knees)that underwent navigation-assisted total knee arthroplasty with mechanical axis alignment by the same surgical team during the same period were selected as controls,including 5 males(5 knees)and 41 females(45 knees).The tibial osteotomy angle,tibial plateau osteotomy amount,femoral osteotomy angle,distal femoral,posterior and anterior osteotomy amount,and joint line movement were observed in the two groups of patients.Preoperative and postoperative flexion and extension gap internal and external laxity,hip-knee-ankle angle,mechanical lateral distal femoral angle,mechanical medial proximal tibial angle,joint line convergence angle,sagittal femoral component angle,posterior tibial slope,arithmetic hip-knee-ankle angle,joint line obliquity,coronal plane alignment of the knee classification,Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index,and Hospital for Special Surgery score and forgotten joint score were compared between the two groups.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The intraoperative tibial plateau osteotomy angle in the functional alignment group was greater than that in the mechanical axis alignment group,and the proportion of gap imbalance(2％)was smaller than that in the mechanical axis alignment group(18％).The differences were all significant(P＜0.05).(2)The hip-knee-ankle angle,mechanical medial proximal tibial angle,arithmetic hip-knee-ankle angle,and joint line obliquity in the functional alignment group were smaller than those in the mechanical axis alignment group postoperatively,and the differences were significant(P＜0.05).(3)The most common coronal plane alignment of the knee classification before surgery was type Ⅰ(80％in the functional alignment group and 42％in the mechanical axis alignment group).(4)The proportion of joint line obliquity＜177°(44％)in the functional alignment group was greater than that in the mechanical axis alignment group(14％)postoperatively.(5)Hospital for Special Surgery score at 1 month,6 months,and last follow-up after surgery was higher in the functional alignment group than that in the mechanical axis alignment group;the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.05).The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index 1 month after surgery was lower in the functional alignment group than that in the mechanical axis alignment group;the difference was statistically significant(t=-2.85,P=0.005).There was no significant difference in postoperative range of motion and forgotten joint score between the two groups(P＞0.05).(6)It is indicated that navigation-assisted total knee arthroplasty using functional alignment optimizes early clinical efficacy.The functional alignment technique has advantages in restoration of constitutional alignment and joint line obliquity and avoids soft tissue release compared to mechanical alignment technique.

BACKGROUND:Mechanical alignment is the"gold standard"alignment technique in total knee arthroplasty,but regardless of advances in prosthetic materials and robotic-assisted navigation,mechanical alignment-total knee arthroplasty still has a patient dissatisfaction rate of about 20％.OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the early efficacy of navigation-assisted total knee arthroplasty using functional alignment.METHODS:A total of 44 consecutive cases(50 knees)that underwent computer navigation-assisted total knee arthroplasty with functional alignment from October 2019 to June 2023 were retrospectively analyzed,including 12 males(14 knees)and 32 females(36 knees).A total of 46 consecutive cases(50 knees)that underwent navigation-assisted total knee arthroplasty with mechanical axis alignment by the same surgical team during the same period were selected as controls,including 5 males(5 knees)and 41 females(45 knees).The tibial osteotomy angle,tibial plateau osteotomy amount,femoral osteotomy angle,distal femoral,posterior and anterior osteotomy amount,and joint line movement were observed in the two groups of patients.Preoperative and postoperative flexion and extension gap internal and external laxity,hip-knee-ankle angle,mechanical lateral distal femoral angle,mechanical medial proximal tibial angle,joint line convergence angle,sagittal femoral component angle,posterior tibial slope,arithmetic hip-knee-ankle angle,joint line obliquity,coronal plane alignment of the knee classification,Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index,and Hospital for Special Surgery score and forgotten joint score were compared between the two groups.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The intraoperative tibial plateau osteotomy angle in the functional alignment group was greater than that in the mechanical axis alignment group,and the proportion of gap imbalance(2％)was smaller than that in the mechanical axis alignment group(18％).The differences were all significant(P＜0.05).(2)The hip-knee-ankle angle,mechanical medial proximal tibial angle,arithmetic hip-knee-ankle angle,and joint line obliquity in the functional alignment group were smaller than those in the mechanical axis alignment group postoperatively,and the differences were significant(P＜0.05).(3)The most common coronal plane alignment of the knee classification before surgery was type Ⅰ(80％in the functional alignment group and 42％in the mechanical axis alignment group).(4)The proportion of joint line obliquity＜177°(44％)in the functional alignment group was greater than that in the mechanical axis alignment group(14％)postoperatively.(5)Hospital for Special Surgery score at 1 month,6 months,and last follow-up after surgery was higher in the functional alignment group than that in the mechanical axis alignment group;the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.05).The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index 1 month after surgery was lower in the functional alignment group than that in the mechanical axis alignment group;the difference was statistically significant(t=-2.85,P=0.005).There was no significant difference in postoperative range of motion and forgotten joint score between the two groups(P＞0.05).(6)It is indicated that navigation-assisted total knee arthroplasty using functional alignment optimizes early clinical efficacy.The functional alignment technique has advantages in restoration of constitutional alignment and joint line obliquity and avoids soft tissue release compared to mechanical alignment technique.

Objective:To explore the impact of the two-way referral model on compliance and prognosis in patients with heart failure.Methods:This bidirectional cohort study enrolled chronic heart failure (CHF) patients treated at Qilu Hospital of Shandong University or designated primary hospitals between March 2018 and March 2022. Patients were categorized into two groups based on referral status: two-way referral group (participating in the referral model with≥1 follow-up visit at primary hospitals) and the core hospital group (receiving treatment and follow-up exclusively at Qilu Hospital). Baseline clinical characteristics were collected and compared between groups. Patients underwent followed-up, with primary endpoints including follow-up rate, drug (β-blockers, angiotension converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI)/angiotensin Ⅱ receptor blockers (ARB)/angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI), sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists) utilization rate and target dose achievement rate. Secondary endpoints encompassed changes from baseline in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDd), and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), plus cardiovascular mortality and heart failure rehospitalization. Generalized linear mixed models analyzed longitudinal trends in LVEF, LVEDd, and NT-proBNP levels. Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regression evaluated LVEF recovery rates, supplemented by subgroup analyses. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify factors influencing target dose achievement rate for β-blockers and ACEI/ARB/ARNI therapies in CHF patients.Results:A total of 357 patients were enrolled, aged 53 (41, 63) years, including 256 males (71.7%). 157 patients were in the two-way referral group and 200 patients in the core hospital-treated group. Compared with the core hospital-treated group, the two-way referral group had lower baseline LVEF (28 (22, 34)% vs. 31 (23, 36)%, P=0.021) and systolic blood pressure (116 (104, 125) mmHg vs. 121 (109, 134) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa), P=0.010). The 12-month follow-up rate of the two-way referral group was higher than the core hospital-treated group (73.8% vs. 56.0%, P=0.004). No significant between-group differences were observed in drug utilization rate of β-blockers, ACEI/ARB/ARNI, or sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors during follow-up (all P>0.05), while mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists use showed a declining trend in both groups. Although the core hospital-treated group had higher target dose achievement rates for β-blockers (65.4% vs. 49.3%, P=0.042) and ACEI/ARB/ARNI (79.8% vs. 65.8%, P=0.046) than the two-way referral group, multivariate logistic regression indicated that the two-way referral model was not a negative predictor for these outcomes (all P>0.05). Both groups showed improved NT-proBNP, LVEDd, and LVEF from baseline (all P<0.001) with no significant difference in trends between groups (all P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the composite incidence (7.6% vs. 6.5%, P=0.674) and cumulative incidence (log-rank P=0.684) of cardiovascular death and heart failure rehospitalization at 12 months between two groups. Conclusion:The two-way referral model demonstrates advantages in improving medication adherence, drug utilization rates, and targetdoseachievement rates among CHF patients. This model not only promotes cardiac functional recovery but also reduces risks of cardiovascular mortality and heart failure rehospitalization, achieving comparable therapeutic and management outcomes to those observed in core hospital-treated patients.