Objective To investigate the application value of procalcitonin(PCT),neutrophil-to-lym-phocyte ratio(NLR)and C-reactive protein to albumin ratio(CAR)in the short-term prognosis of the pa-tients with severe community acquired pneumonia(SCAP).Methods A total of 225 patients with communi-ty-acquired pneumonia(CAP)treated in this hospital from July 2021 to December 2022 were selected as the study subjects and divided into the SCAP group and non-SCAP group.Then the patients with SCAP were di-vided into the survival group and death group according to their survival state in 28 d.The general data and re-lated laboratory indexes were collected.NLR and CAR were calculated.The binary logistic regression was a-dopted to analyze the risk factors of death on 28 d for the SCAP patients.The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was drawn and the area under the curve(AUC)was calculated to evaluate the predictive value of relevant indicators.Results The age,levels of PCT,NLR,CAR,WBC and NEU,and the proportion of cor-onary heart disease in the SCAP group were higher than those in the non-SCAP group,while the levels of LYM and ALB were lower than those in the non-SCAP group,and the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.05).The age,levels of PCT,NLR,CAR,WBC and NEU,and the proportion of COPD in the death group were higher than those in the survival group,while the levels of LYM and ALB were lower than those in the survival group,and the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.05).The binary logistic regres-sion analysis showed that the age(OR=1.069,95％CI:1.020-1.120),chronic obstructive pulmonary dis-ease(OR=5.633,95％CI:2.019-15.712),PCT(OR=1.045,95％CI:1.002-1.090)and CAR(OR=2.170,95％CI:1.616-2.915)were the independent influencing factor for the death on 28 d in the patients with SCAP.The ROC curve analysis indicated that AUC,sensitivity and specificity of PCT,NLR and CAR combined detection were superior to those of detection alone,having good predictive value.Conclusion PCT,NLR and CAR have a certain predictive value for death within 28 d in the patients with SCAP.The combined detection has better predictive efficiency.

Objective To analyze changes in sleep,mood state,and brain function in healthy populations living in near-sea-level environments before and after exposure to high-altitude environment,and to explore the correlations between regional brain functional changes and variations in sleep and mood states.Methods A total of 45 healthy volunteers were enrolled.The participants came from regions of near-sea-level altitudes and were exposed to the high-altitude environment for a short period of time.The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index(PSQI),Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale(SDS),Patient Health Questionnaire-9(PHQ-9),Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale(SAS),and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7(GAD-7)were administered to assess sleep quality as well as depressive and anxiety symptoms at 4 time points—prior to high-altitude exposure,immediately after exposure,one month after returning to low-altitude regions,and three months after returning to low-altitude regions.Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging(rs-fMRI)data were collected before and after high-altitude exposure,and regional brain functional parameters,including the amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations(ALFF)and functional connectivity strength,were analyzed.Statistical analyses were performed,including a linear mixed-effects model to evaluate longitudinal changes in scale scores,paired-sample t-tests to compare brain function differences before and after exposure,and Pearson correlation analyses to examine the relationship between brain functional changes and alterations in sleep and mood states.Results Compared with the pre-exposure findings,the participants exhibited significantly increased PSQI scores(8.89±4.41 vs.5.08±2.69,P<0.05)and PHQ-9 scores(3.60±4.19 vs.1.54±2.30,P<0.05)immediately after high-altitude exposure.One month after returning to the low-altitude environment,both sleep and depression scores decreased relative to the findings immediately after exposure(PSQI:3.88±2.13 vs.8.89±4.41,P<0.05;PHQ-9:1.50±2.25 vs.3.60±4.19,P<0.05)and showed no statistically significant difference compared with the pre-exposure findings(P>0.05).Three months after returning to near-sea-level environment,sleep,depression,and anxiety scores were all reduced compared with the findings immediately after exposure(PSQI:3.76±2.31 vs.8.89±4.41,P<0.05;PHQ-9:1.24±2.13 vs.3.60±4.19,P<0.05;SAS:23.84±5.93 vs.27.93±7.05,P<0.05),also showing no significant difference compared with the pre-exposure levels(P>0.05).Brain function analysis revealed that,relative to the pre-exposure levels,ALFF in the bilateral superior temporal gyrus,insula,and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex(DLPFC)increased after high-altitude exposure(P<0.05),and that functional connectivity strength in the DLPFC was also elevated(P<0.05).Furthermore,changes in DLPFC functional connectivity strength were positively correlated with changes in sleep and mood scores(P<0.05).Conclusion High-altitude exposure has a significant impact on the sleep,mood states,and brain function of populations from near-sea-level regions,and DLPFC,in particular,is closely associated with changes in sleep and mood states.The findings of this study provide a theoretical basis for health management and intervention strategies in high-altitude environments.

Objective:To investigate the long-term efficacy of self-designed posterior atlas polyaxial screw-plate in the treatment of unstable atlas fracture.Methods:A retrospective case series study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 20 patients with unstable atlas fracture who were admitted to Affiliated Honghui Hospital of Xi′an Jiaotong University from January 2011 to April 2013, including 14 males and 6 females, aged 23-60 years [(42.7±8.6)years]. All the patients were treated with internal fixation using self-designed posterior atlas polyaxial screw-plate. The operation time and intraoperative bleeding volume were recorded. The fracture reduction was evaluated by CT scan at 3 days after surgery. The bone healing was observed by X-ray (anterior-posterior and lateral views of the cervical spine) and CT scan at 9 months after surgery. The delayed spinal cord injuries were evaluated by Frankel grade at 1 and 2 years after surgery and at the last follow-up. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) before surgery, at 3 months, 1 year, 2 years after surgery and at the last follow-up were compared. The axial rotation, flexion and extension range of the cervical spine at 3 months, 1 year, 2 years after surgery and at the last follow-up were compared. Intraoperative and postoperative complications were observed.Results:All the patients were followed up for 121-148 months [(135.0±6.8)months]. The operation duration was 68-122 minutes [(86.0±14.1)minutes], with the intraoperative blood loss of 90-400 ml [(120.0±67.9)ml]. The CT scan of the cervical spine at 3 days after surgery showed all satisfactory fracture reduction. Satisfactory bone reunion was observed at 9 months after surgery. All patients were scaled as Frankel grade E at 1 year, 2 years and at the last follow-up after surgery, with no delayed spinal cord injuries observed. The VAS scores of the cervical spine at 3 months, 1 year, 2 years after surgery and at the last follow-up were 2.0(1.3, 3.0)points, 1.0(1.0, 1.8)points, 1.0(0.3, 1.0)points and 1.0(0.3, 1.0)points, which were significantly lower than that before surgery [7.0(6.0, 7.8)points] ( P<0.05), with significantly lower scores at 1-, 2-year after surgeny and at the last follow-up than at 3 months after surgery ( P<0.05). There were no significant differences among the other time points ( P>0.05). The axial rotation ranges of the cervical spine were (103.0±8.3)°, (128.3± 11.4)° and (129.8±13.6)° at 1 year, 2 years after surgery and at the last follow-up respectively, which were significantly higher than that at 3 months after surgery [(85.3±7.0)°] ( P<0.05); It was further improved at 2 years after surgery and at the last follow-up compared with that at 1 year after surgery ( P<0.05), with no significant difference at the last follow-up compared with that at 2 years after surgery ( P>0.05). The flexion and extension range of the cervical spine at 1 year, 2 years after surgery and at the last follow-up were (65.5±4.8)°, (78.3±6.5)° and (79.3±6.9)° respectively, which were significantly higher than that at 3 months after surgery [(54.3±4.4)°] ( P<0.05); It was further improved at 2 years after surgery and at the last follow-up compared with that at 1 year after surgery ( P<0.05), with no significant difference between the last follow-up and 2 years after surgery ( P>0.05). No intraoperative injuries such as arteriovenous injury were observed. No incision infection or dehiscence occurred after surgery, with no complications caused by long-term bed rest such as lung or urinary tract infection, pressure sore formation or deep vein thrombosis occurred. No loosening or breakage of the screw and atlas plate was observed at the long-term follow-up. One patient had mild cervical pain, snap during rotation, and limited range of motion at the last follow-up. Conclusion:Self-designed posterior atlas polyaxial screw-plate has merits including small surgical wounds, satisfactory reduction, solid fixation, obvious pain relief, effective preservation of the previous cervical motion, few complications, and satisfactory long-term efficacy in the treatment of unstable atlas fracture.

ObjectiveTo observe the clinical effectiveness and safety of Xuandi Ziyin Mixture （玄地滋阴合剂） for central precocious puberty （CPP） in girls with syndrome of yin deficiency and fire exuberance， and to analyse the effect of body mass index （BMI） on the effectiveness. MethodsA total of 236 girls with CPP of yin deficiency and fire exuberance syndrome were included， and all of them were given Xuandi Ziyin Mixture， 30 ml each time， twice a day， for a total treatment period of 6 months. Before and after treatment， children's weight， height and bone age were measured， BMI and BMI Z-score （BMI Z） and the difference between bone age and actual age were calculated； ultrasound was used to detect uterine and ovarian sizes， and to calculate uterine volume （V_uterus）， bilateral ovarian volume （V_{left ovary}， V_{right ovary}）， and bilateral maximal follicle diameters （r_{left follicle} and r_{right follicle}）； and serum sex hormones were measured， including follicle-stimulating hormone （FSH）， luteinising hormone （LH）， prolactin （PRL）， estradiol （E₂）， and testosterone （T）， and were scored for traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） syndrome. Multiple linear regression was used to analyse the influence factors of the difference between bone age and actual age， and changes in uterine volume. The children were divided into the normal weight group and the overweight/obesity group according to baseline BMI， and the bone age， the difference between bone age and actual age， V_uterus and BMI Z scores before and after treatment were compared between the two groups. ResultsFinally， 199 children entered the statistical analysis. Compared with pre-treatment， the bone age， BMI and BMI Z scores of the children increased after treatment， and the difference between bone age and actual age， TCM syndrome scores， V_uterus， V_{left ovary}， V_{right ovary}， r_{left follicle} and r_{right follicle} decreased； and the levels of serum FSH， LH， E₂， and T significantly decreased （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. The difference between bone age and actual age was negatively correlated with LH and V_uterus （P＜0.05）， and changes in uterine volume were positively correlated with LH （P＜0.01）. Comparing between the groups before and after treatment， the bone age， difference between bone age and actual age， and BMI Z scores of children in the normal weight group （100 cases） were significantly smaller than those in the overweight/obesity group （99 cases） （P＜0.01）. Compared with pre-treatment， the bone age of the children in both groups increased， but the difference between bone age and actual age and V_uterus were significantly smaller （P＜0.01）. Further comparison of Δ bone age and actual age difference and ΔV_uterus （Δ = post-treatment value - pre-treatment value） between the two groups showed no statistically significant difference （P＞0.05）. ConclusionsXuandi Ziyin Mixture can reduce bone age， sex hormone level， ovary and uterus size， and improve clinical symptoms in girls with yin deficiency and fire exuberance syndrome of CPP. It is also effective in overweight/obese children， and the inhibitory effect on bone age in girls with CPP is not affected by BMI， with good safety.

【Objective】 To investigate the quality of cryoprecipitates prepared from buffy coat-derived plasma of fresh whole blood at room temperature 20℃-24℃ isolated at different time periods, explore the optimal time for preparing cryoprecipitates, so as to improve the utilization rate of blood. 【Methods】 A total of 250 bags of whole blood collected by CPDA-1 and stored at 20℃-24℃ from October 2020 to December 2020 were randomly selected as the experimental group, and divided into groups A1 (0-8 h), A2 (8-10 h), A3 (10-12 h), A4 (12-14 h) and A5 (14-16 h) (with 50 bags in each group) according to the preparation time point. The upper-buff-coat plasma was separated and quickly frozen as the source for cryoprecipitates. Meanwhile, another 50 bags of fresh frozen plasma prepared within 0-16h after routine storage at 2℃-6℃ were randomly selected as the control group (group B), which was used as the raw plasma to make cryoprecipitate. Coagulation factor Ⅷ (Ⅷ factor) and fibrinogen (FIB) were detected, and the effect of different preparation time and different storage temperature on the content of factor Ⅷ and FIB and the pass rate were compared. 【Results】 In comparison to the control group, the Ⅷ factor content of groups A4 and A5 was significantly decreased, and the differences between groups A4, A5 and B were statistically significant (P<0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in the effect of preparation of buffy coat-derived plasma on the FIB quality of cryoprecipitate in different time periods (P>0.05). The Factor Ⅷ content ≥60 IU/ bag prepared from buffy coat-derived plasma accounted for 96.4% (1.5 U) in the experimental group. 【Conclusion】 The buffy coat-derived plasma prepared within 12 h at 20℃-24℃ is suitable for preparing 2 U cryoprecipitate coagulation factor, while that prepared within 12-16 h is suitable for preparing 1.5 U cryoprecipitate coagulation factor.

In recent years, with the development of metabolic reprogramming research, people have changed their understanding of the biological effects of immune cells. Under the stimulation of inflammatory response, immune cells re-regulate their metabolism and bioenergetics, provide energy and substrates for cell survival, and initiate immune effect functions. Nod-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, as an important component of the innate immune system, has been shown to sense metabolites such as uric acid and cholesterol crystals, and can be inhibited by metabolites such as ketones. It is also regulated by mitochondrial reactive oxygen species and glycolytic components (such as hexokinase). Recent studies have shown that a variety of metabolic pathways converge as effective regulators of NLRP3 inflammasome. The paper reviews the metabolic regulatory pathways and specificity of NLRP3 inflammasome activation, and its role in renal diseases.

‍Traditionally， the progression from compensated liver cirrhosis to decompensated liver cirrhosis has been considered an irreversible point in the natural history of the disease； however， with the suppression of underlying etiology， cure， and disease regression， this view is challenged by an increasing number of new evidence， and the idea of “recompensation of liver cirrhosis” is gradually being accepted. In recent years， scholars in China and globally have been exploring the specific definition of recompensation of liver cirrhosis and the clinical features of patients. By summarizing the recent studies on recompensation of liver cirrhosis in China and globally， integrating existing views， and analyzing related research evidence， this article points out the main challenges in the field of recompensation at this stage， including the lack of in－depth clinical and basic research， the need to define recompensation in the context of NAFLD， and related ethical issues， in order to provide new directions for future research in this field.

Objective:To investigate the spectrum, drug resistance and risk factors of multidrug resistant organism (MDRO) in chronic osteomyelitis.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted by cluster sampling to analyze the 414 patients with chronic osteomyelitis who had been admitted to Department of Orthopaedics, The Second Hospital Affiliated to Shanxi Medical University, Department of Orthopaedics, The People's Hospital of Shanxi Province, Department of Traumatology, Yuncheng City Hospital, and Department of Orthopaedics, Linfen City Hospital from January 2016 to December 2021. The patients were assigned into 2 groups according to whether MDRO had been detected or not. In the MDRO infection group of 150 cases, there were 118 males and 32 females with an age of (48.8±16.2) years; in the non-MDRO infection group of 264 cases, there were 194 males and 70 females with an age of (46.0±17.8) years. The characteristics of bacterial spectrum and drug resistance in MDRO infection were described and analyzed. The 2 groups were compared in terms of clinical data like gender, age, course of disease, body mass index, history of antibiotic use before admission, combined internal diseases, combined trauma, and length of hospital stay. The items with P<0.05 were included in a multivariate logistic regression model to explore the risk factors for MDRO infection. Results:Pathogenic bacteria (331 strains) were detected in 286 of the 414 patients with chronic osteomyelitis, and infection with 168 strains of MDRO was detected in 150 of the 286 patients, yielding a detection rate of 50.8% (168/331). Of the 168 strains of MDR, 129 (76.8%, 129/168) were Gram-positive and 39 (23.2%, 39/168) Gram-negative. Staphylococcus aureus was the most frequently detected species of Gram-positive bacteria (58.1%, 75/129) and the most frequently detected pathogen (44.6%, 75/168) in this study. The resistance of Gram-positive bacteria to peptides and oxazolidinones was low (less than 10%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age ≥45 years ( OR=6.991, 95% CI: 3.525 to 13.865, P<0.001), essential hypertension ( OR=4.191, 95% CI: 2.070 to 8.485, P<0.001), trauma ( OR=4.232, 95% CI: 2.409 to 7.435, P<0.001) and length of hospital stay ( OR=1.015, 95% CI: 1.001 to 1.029, P=0.030) were the risk factors for MDRO infection in patients with chronic osteomyelitis. Conclusions:The detection rate of MDRO is at a medium to high level. Gram positive bacteria are the main pathogens and resistant to most antibiotics. Antibiotic therapy guided by bacterial culture is of great significance for patients with chronic osteomyelitis. Age≥45 years, essential hypertension, trauma, and long hospital stay are risk factors for MDRO infection in patients with chronic osteomyelitis.

Humans ; Blood Pressure/physiology* ; Cohort Studies ; Patient Discharge ; Ischemic Stroke ; Stroke ; Brain Ischemia ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Hypertension

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) clearance is vital for a functional cure of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. However, the incidence and predictors of HBsAg seroclearance in patients co-infected with HBV and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) remain largely unknown in Guangdong, China. METHODS: Between 2009 and 2019, patients co-infected with HBV/HIV undergoing antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Guangzhou Eighth People's Hospital affiliated to Guangzhou Medical University were retrospectively reviewed with the endpoint on December 31, 2020. The incidence and risk factors for HBsAg seroclearance were evaluated using Kaplan-Meier and multivariate Cox regression analyses. RESULTS: A total of 1550 HBV/HIV co-infected patients were included in the study, with the median age of 42 years and 86.0% (1333/1550) males. Further, 98.3% (1524/1550) received ART containing tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) plus lamivudine (3TC). HBV DNA was examined in 1283 cases at the last follow-up. Over the median 4.7 years of follow-up, 8.1% (126/1550) patients achieved HBsAg seroclearance, among whom 50.8% (64/126) obtained hepatitis B surface antibody, 28.1% (137/488) acquired hepatitis B e antigen seroconversion, and 95.9% (1231/1283) undetectable HBV DNA. Compared with patients who maintained HBsAg positive, cases achieving HBsAg seroclearance showed no differences in age, gender, CD4 + T cell count, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level, or fibrosis status; however, they presented lower HBV DNA levels, lower HBsAg levels, and higher rates of HBV genotype B at the baseline. Multivariate analysis showed that baseline HBsAg <1500 cutoff index (COI) (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 2.74, 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 1.48-5.09), ALT elevation >2 × upper limit of normal during the first six months after receiving ART (aHR, 2.96, 95% CI: 1.53-5.77), and HBV genotype B (aHR, 3.73, 95% CI: 1.46-9.59) were independent predictors for HBsAg seroclearance (all P <0.01). CONCLUSIONS Long-term TDF-containing ART has high anti-HBV efficacy including relatively high overall HBsAg seroclearance in HBV/HIV co-infected patients. Lower baseline HBsAg levels, HBV genotype B, and elevated ALT levels during the first six months of ART are potential predictors of HBsAg seroclearance.
Male ; Humans ; Adult ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; Hepatitis B virus/genetics* ; HIV Infections/drug therapy* ; HIV ; DNA, Viral ; Incidence ; Coinfection/drug therapy* ; Retrospective Studies ; Tenofovir/therapeutic use* ; Lamivudine/therapeutic use* ; Hepatitis B, Chronic/drug therapy*