[Objective] To explore the accuracy and feasibility of non-invasive prenatal diagnosis of fetal RhE genotype using cell-free fetal DNA (cff-DNA) from maternal peripheral blood. [Methods] A total of 134 pregnant women with single fetuses and RhE-negative blood group were selected from our hospital from November 2023 to August 2024. Free DNA extraction kit was used to extract free DNA from peripheral blood of pregnant women, and the RhE blood group genotype of free DNA was detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). If the qPCR amplification signal of the sample was negative, the methylated RASSF1A gene was amplified, and the positive amplification result was used as a sign of successful extraction of cff-DNA. Serological microcolumn gel method was used to detect the phenotype of RhE blood group in neonatal peripheral blood. [Results] Among the 134 maternal peripheral blood samples, the cff-DNA detection of RhE blood group phenotypes was consistent with the RhE blood group genotyping of neonatal peripheral blood in 133 cases, including 90 cases of Rhee genotype and 43 cases of RhE genotype, with diagnostic concordance rate of 99.3%, sensitivity of 97.7%, specificity of 100%, youden index of 0.977, area under ROC curve of 0.995, the Kappa value of 0.983, positive predictive value of 100%, and negative predictive value of 98.9%. The sample of 1 case failed to be detected. After the amplification of methylated RASSFIA gene, it was confirmed that the reason for the failure was that no cff-DNA was extracted from the sample. The diagnostic concordance rates of the first, second and third trimesters were 93.8% (15/16), 100% (51/51) and 100% (67/67), respectively. Fisher's exact test method was used to calculate the P value, which was P>0.05, indicating that there was no statistical significance in the difference of diagnostic concordance rate among the three pregnancy periods, and there was no difference in the detection concordance rate of this method in different pregnancy periods. [Conclusion] The use of cff-DNA in maternal peripheral blood for the detection of fetal RhE blood group genotype is an accurate and highly feasible non-invasive prenatal diagnostic method, which is helpful for the clinical diagnosis of fetal and neonatal hemolytic disease caused by anti-E antibody.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between physical activity and genetic risk and their combined effects on the risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. METHODS: This prospective cohort study included 318,085 biobank participants from the UK. Physical activity was assessed using the short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. The participants were stratified into low-, intermediate-, and high-genetic-risk groups based on their polygenic risk scores. Multivariate Cox regression models and multiplicative interaction analyses were used. RESULTS: During a median follow-up period of 13 years, 9,209 participants were diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. For low genetic risk, compared to low physical activity, the hazard ratios ( HRs) for moderate and high physical activity were 0.853 (95% confidence interval [ CI]: 0.748-0.972) and 0.831 (95% CI: 0.727-0.950), respectively. For intermediate genetic risk, the HRs were 0.829 (95% CI: 0.758-0.905) and 0.835 (95% CI: 0.764-0.914), respectively. For participants with high genetic risk, the HRs were 0.809 (95% CI: 0.746-0.877) and 0.818 (95% CI: 0.754-0.888), respectively. A significant interaction was observed between genetic risk and physical activity. CONCLUSION Moderate or high levels of physical activity were associated with a lower risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease across all genetic risk groups, highlighting the need to tailor activity interventions for genetically susceptible individuals.
Humans ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/epidemiology* ; Exercise ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Aged ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Risk Factors ; United Kingdom/epidemiology* ; Incidence ; Adult

Neurodegenerative diseases are a type of disease characterized by specific types of neuronal loss and progressive progression,mainly represented by Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.This type of disease,due to its intractable and irreversible symptoms,brings great physical and psychological burden to patients,which is seriously disturbing their normal life.In terms of treatment,there is currently no specific treatment for Alzheimer's disease in clinical practice,and first-line treatment drugs for Parkinson's disease also have great limitations.In traditional Chinese medicine,kidney governs bone,generates marrow,and connects to the brain.In clinical evidence typing,premature aging,fatigue and forgetfulness,and tremor of limbs caused by kidney deficiency and medullary reduction are considered to be the main pathologies of these diseases.Di-Huang-Yin-Zi decoction which is derived from the"General Records of Holy Universal Relief",is recorded as a good formula for nourishing kidney yin and filling kidney yang.Clinical data shows that this formula has significant therapeutic effects in treating neurodegenerative diseases caused by kidney essence deficiency.Modern research results indicate that its mechanism of action involves inhibiting inflammatory reactions,regulating mitochondrial autophagy,reversing The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis abnormalities,and neuroprotection.The main effective ingredients in this formula include loganin,echinarin,and schisandrin A.This article aims to summarize and analyze the clinical efficacy,mechanism of action,and active ingredients of Di-Huang-Yin-Zi decoction in the treatment of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease in recent years,in order to clarify the research status of Di-Huang-Yin-Zi decoction in the neurodegenerative disease and provide reference for further research.

Objective To construct a big data sharing platform for clinical scientific research to solve the problems of clinical research in decentralized application systems and data sharing safety.Methods A clinical research information data usage management system was developed through the formulation of management methods in line with the actual situation of the institution,normalized standard data usage processes and a data usage service team.Then a clinical scientific research big data sharing platform including the components for sharing environment construction,research application integration,data desensitization and encryption and file management was established based on the existing hospital systems,the requirements of clinical research data usage management and the habits of clinical researchers.Results The platform realized the balance between open sharing of clinical research data and data security control,which improved the efficiency of clinical researchers while reducing data security risks during data transmission and data analysis.Conclusion The clinical scientific research big data sharing platform meets the needs of clinical scientific research application and data security management,and provides references for the co-construction-sharing of medical big data resources.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2024,45(4):27-31]

OBJECTIVE: To observe the protective effect and mechanism of hydroxyl safflower yellow A (HSYA) from myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). METHODS: HUVECs were treated with oxygen-glucose deprivation reperfusion (OGD/R) to simulate the ischemia reperfusion model, and cell counting kit-8 was used to detect the protective effect of different concentrations (1.25-160 µ mol/L) of HSYA on HUVECs after OGD/R. HSYA 80 µ mol/L was used for follow-up experiments. The contents of inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-18, IL-1 β, monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and IL-6 before and after administration were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The protein expressions of toll-like receptor, NOD-like receptor containing pyrin domain 3 (NLRP3), gasdermin D (GSDMD) and GSDMD-N-terminal domain (GSDMD-N) before and after administration were detected by Western blot. NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitor cytokine release inhibitory drug 3 sodium salt (CRID3 sodium salt, also known as MCC950) and agonist were added, and the changes of NLRP3, cysteine-aspartic acid protease 1 (Caspase-1), GSDMD and GSDMD-N protein expressions were detected by Western blot. RESULTS: HSYA inhibited OGD/R-induced inflammation and significantly decreased the contents of inflammatory cytokines IL-18, IL-1 β, MCP-1, TNF-α and IL-6 (P<0.01 or P<0.05). At the same time, by inhibiting NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD pathway, HSYA can reduce the occurrence of pyroptosis after OGD/R and reduce the expression of NLRP3, Caspase-1, GSDMD and GSDMD-N proteins (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS The protective effect of HSYA on HUVECs after OGD/R is related to down-regulating the expression of NLRP3 inflammasome and inhibiting pyroptosis.
NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/metabolism* ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells/metabolism* ; Humans ; Chalcone/analogs & derivatives* ; Quinones/pharmacology* ; Pyroptosis/drug effects* ; Caspase 1/metabolism* ; Glucose ; Phosphate-Binding Proteins/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/metabolism* ; Oxygen/metabolism* ; Cytokines/metabolism* ; Gasdermins

Objective    To explore the prognostic value of serum cystatin C (Cys C) in patients with congenital heart disease-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH-CHD). Methods    A retrospective cohort study was conducted on adult PAH-CHD patients who were hospitalized for the first time in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from January 2010 to January 2020. The serum Cys C and other related data of patients were collected. The median follow-up time was 57 months. The main end event was all-cause death. According to the prognosis, the patients were divided into a survival group and a death group. Cox regression was used to analyze the risk factors for all-cause death in patients with PAH-CHD. Results    A total of 456 patients were enrolled, including 160 males and 296 females, aged 38.99±14.72 years. The baseline data showed that there were statistical differences in resting heart rate, serum Cys C, creatinine, NT-proB-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT), high-sensitivity C reactive protein (hs-CRP), New York Heart Association (NYHA) cardiac function classification and serum potassium between the survival group and the death group. Univariate Cox regression analysis showed that serum  Cys C, NT-proBNP, hs-cTnT, creatinine and NYHA cardiac function classification were related risk factors for all-cause death in patients with PAH-CHD. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that serum Cys C (HR=3.820, 95%CI 2.053-7.108, P<0.001), NYHA grade Ⅲ (HR=2.234, 95%CI 1.316-3.521, P=0.010), NYHA grade Ⅳ (HR=4.037, 95%CI 1.899-7.810, P=0.002) and NT-proBNP (HR=1.026, 95%CI 1.013-1.039, P<0.001) were independent risk factors for all-cause death in patients with PAH-CHD and had a good predictive value. Conclusion    As a new cardiac marker, serum Cys C can predict all-cause death in patients with PAH-CHD and is an independent risk factor.

Biofilms are closely associated with the tough healing and dysfunctional inflammation of chronic wounds. Photothermal therapy (PTT) emerged as a suitable alternative which could destroy the structure of biofilms with local physical heat. However, the efficacy of PTT is limited because the excessive hyperthermia could damage surrounding tissues. Besides, the difficult reserve and delivery of photothermal agents makes PTT hard to eradicate biofilms as expectation. Herein, we present a GelMA-EGF/Gelatin-MPDA-LZM bilayer hydrogel dressing to perform lysozyme-enhanced PTT for biofilms eradication and a further acceleration to the repair of chronic wounds. Gelatin was used as inner layer hydrogel to reserve lysozyme (LZM) loaded mesoporous polydopamine (MPDA) (MPDA-LZM) nanoparticles, which could rapidly liquefy while temperature rising so as to achieve a bulk release of nanoparticles. MPDA-LZM nanoparticles serve as photothermal agents with antibacterial capability, could deeply penetrate and destroy biofilms. In addition, the outer layer hydrogel consisted of gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) promoted wound healing and tissue regeneration. It displayed remarkable efficacy on alleviating infection and accelerating wound healing in vivo. Overall, the innovative therapeutic strategy we came up with has significant effect on biofilms eradication and shows promising application in promoting the repair of clinical chronic wounds.

The hemodynamic characteristics of venous reflux are associated with infertility in patients with varicocele; however, an effective method for quantifying the structural distribution of the reflux is lacking. This study aimed to predict surgical outcomes using a new software for venous reflux quantification. This was a retrospective cohort study of a consecutive series of 105 patients (age range: 22-44 years) between July 2017 and September 2019. Venous reflux of the varicocele was obtained using the Valsalva maneuver during scrotal Doppler ultrasonography before microsurgical varicocelectomy. Using this software, the colored reflux signals were segmented, and the gray scale of the color pixels representing the reflux velocity was comprehensively quantified into the mean reflux velocity of the green layer (MRVG) and the reflux velocity standard deviation of the green layer (RVSDG). Spontaneous pregnancy and changes from baseline in the semen parameters were assessed during a 12-month follow-up period. Data were analyzed using logistic regression analysis. An association of the high MRVG group with impaired progressive motility (odds ratio [OR] = 2.868, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.133-7.265) and impaired sperm concentration (OR = 2.943, 95% CI: 1.196-7.239) was found during multivariate analysis. High MRVG (OR = 2.680, 95% CI: 1.086-6.614) and high RVSDG (OR = 2.508, 95% CI: 1.030-6.111) were found to be independent predictors of failure to achieve pregnancy following microsurgical repair. In summary, intense venous reflux is an independent predictor of impaired progressive motility, sperm concentration, and pregnancy outcomes after microsurgical varicocelectomy.
Pregnancy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Young Adult ; Adult ; Varicocele/surgery* ; Retrospective Studies ; Semen ; Veins/surgery* ; Sperm Count ; Infertility, Male/surgery* ; Microsurgery/methods* ; Sperm Motility

Objective:We investigated the incidence of surgical site infection (SSI) following emergency abdominal surgery (EAS) in China and further explored its risk factors, providing a reference for preventing and controlling SSI after EAS.Methods:This was an observational study. Data of patients who had undergone EAS and been enrolled in the Chinese SSI Surveillance Program during 2018–2021were retrospectively analyzed. All included patients had been followed up for 30 days after surgery. The analyzed data consisted of relevant patient characteristics and perioperative clinical data, including preoperative hemoglobin, albumin, and blood glucose concentrations, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score, grade of surgical incision, intestinal preparation, skin preparation, location of surgical site, approach, and duration. The primary outcome was the incidence of SSI occurring within 30 days following EAS. SSI was defined as both superficial and deep incisional infections and organ/space infections, diagnoses being supported by results of microbiological culture of secretions and pus. Secondary outcomes included 30-day postoperative mortality rates, length of stay in the intensive care unit (ICU), duration of postoperative hospitalization, and associated costs. The patients were classified into two groups, SSI and non-SSI, based on whether an infection had been diagnosed. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify risk factors associated with SSI following EAS.Results:The study cohort comprised 5491 patients who had undergone EAS, comprising 3169 male and 2322 female patients. SSIs were diagnosed in 168 (3.1%) patients after EAS (SSI group); thus, the non-SSI group consisted of 5323 patients. The SSIs comprised superficial incision infections in 69 (41.1%), deep incision infections in 51 (30.4%), and organ or space infections in 48 (28.6%). Cultures of secretions and pus were positive in 115 (68.5%) cases. The most frequently detected organism was Escherichia coli (47/115; 40.9%). There were no significant differences in sex or body mass index between the SSI and non-SSI groups (both P>0.05). However, the proportion of individuals aged 60 years or older was significantly greater in the SSI than in the non-SSI group (49.4% [83/168] vs. 27.5% [1464/5323), χ 2=38.604, P<0.001). Compared with the non-SSI group, the SSI group had greater proportions of patients with diabetes (11.9% [20/168] vs. 4.8% [258/5323], χ 2=16.878, P<0.001), hypertension (25.6% [43/168] vs. 12.2% [649/5323], χ 2=26.562, P<0.001); hemoglobin <110 g/L (27.4% [46/168] vs. 13.1% [697/5323], χ 2=28.411, P<0.001), and albuminemia <30 g/L (24.4% [41/168] vs. 5.9% [316/5323], χ 2=91.352, P<0.001), and a reduced rate of preoperative skin preparation (66.7% [112/168] vs. 75.9% [4039/5323], χ 2=7.491, P=0.006). Furthermore, fewer patients in the SSI group had preoperative ASA scores of between one and two (56.0% [94/168] vs. 88.7% [4724/5323], χ 2=162.869, P<0.001) in the non-SSI group. The incidences of contaminated and infected incisions were greater in the SSI group (63.1% [106/168] vs. 38.6% [2056/5323], χ 2=40.854, P<0.001). There was a significant difference in surgical site distribution between the SSI and non-SSI groups (small intestine 29.8% [50/168] vs. 10.6% [565/5323], colorectal 26.2% [44/168] vs. 5.6% [298/5 323], and appendix 24.4% [41/168] vs. 65.1% [3465/5323]) χ 2=167.897, P<0.001), respectively. There was a significantly lower proportion of laparoscope or robotic surgery in the non-SSI group (24.4 % [41/168] vs. 74.2% [3949/5323], χ 2=203.199, P<0.001); the percentage of operations of duration less than 2 hours was significantly lower in the SSI than non-SSI group (35.7% [60/168] vs. 77.4% [4119/5323], χ 2=155.487, P<0.001). As to clinical outcomes, there was a higher 30-day postoperative mortality rate (3.0%[5/168] vs. 0.2%[10/5323], χ 2=36.807, P<0.001) and higher postoperative ICU occupancy rate (41.7% [70/168] vs. 19.7% [1046/5323], χ 2=48.748, P<0.001) in the SSI group. The median length of stay in the ICU (0[2] vs. 0[0] days, U=328597.000, P<0.001), median total length of stay after surgery (16[13] vs. 6[5] days, U=128146.000, P<0.001), and median hospitalization cost (ten thousand yuan, 4.7[4.4] vs. 1.7[1.8], U=175965.000, P<0.001) were all significantly greater in the SSI group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the absence of skin preparation before surgery (OR=2.435,95%CI: 1.690–3.508, P<0.001), preoperative albuminemia <30 g/L (OR=1.680, 95%CI: 1.081–2.610, P=0.021), contaminated or infected incisions (OR=3.031, 95%CI: 2.151–4.271, P<0.001), and laparotomy (OR=3.436, 95% CI: 2.123–5.564, P<0.001) were independent risk factors of SSI. Operative duration less than 2 hours (OR=0.465, 95%CI: 0.312–0.695, P<0.001) and ASA score of 1–2 (OR=0.416, 95% CI: 0.289–0.601, P<0.001) were identified as independent protective factors for SSI. Conclusions:It is important to consider the nutritional status in the perioperative period of patients undergoing EAS. Preoperative skin preparation should be conducted and, whenever possible, laparoscope or robot-assisted surgery. Duration of surgery should be as short as possible while maintaining surgery quality and improving patient care.

Objective:We investigated the incidence of surgical site infection (SSI) following emergency abdominal surgery (EAS) in China and further explored its risk factors, providing a reference for preventing and controlling SSI after EAS.Methods:This was an observational study. Data of patients who had undergone EAS and been enrolled in the Chinese SSI Surveillance Program during 2018–2021were retrospectively analyzed. All included patients had been followed up for 30 days after surgery. The analyzed data consisted of relevant patient characteristics and perioperative clinical data, including preoperative hemoglobin, albumin, and blood glucose concentrations, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score, grade of surgical incision, intestinal preparation, skin preparation, location of surgical site, approach, and duration. The primary outcome was the incidence of SSI occurring within 30 days following EAS. SSI was defined as both superficial and deep incisional infections and organ/space infections, diagnoses being supported by results of microbiological culture of secretions and pus. Secondary outcomes included 30-day postoperative mortality rates, length of stay in the intensive care unit (ICU), duration of postoperative hospitalization, and associated costs. The patients were classified into two groups, SSI and non-SSI, based on whether an infection had been diagnosed. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify risk factors associated with SSI following EAS.Results:The study cohort comprised 5491 patients who had undergone EAS, comprising 3169 male and 2322 female patients. SSIs were diagnosed in 168 (3.1%) patients after EAS (SSI group); thus, the non-SSI group consisted of 5323 patients. The SSIs comprised superficial incision infections in 69 (41.1%), deep incision infections in 51 (30.4%), and organ or space infections in 48 (28.6%). Cultures of secretions and pus were positive in 115 (68.5%) cases. The most frequently detected organism was Escherichia coli (47/115; 40.9%). There were no significant differences in sex or body mass index between the SSI and non-SSI groups (both P>0.05). However, the proportion of individuals aged 60 years or older was significantly greater in the SSI than in the non-SSI group (49.4% [83/168] vs. 27.5% [1464/5323), χ 2=38.604, P<0.001). Compared with the non-SSI group, the SSI group had greater proportions of patients with diabetes (11.9% [20/168] vs. 4.8% [258/5323], χ 2=16.878, P<0.001), hypertension (25.6% [43/168] vs. 12.2% [649/5323], χ 2=26.562, P<0.001); hemoglobin <110 g/L (27.4% [46/168] vs. 13.1% [697/5323], χ 2=28.411, P<0.001), and albuminemia <30 g/L (24.4% [41/168] vs. 5.9% [316/5323], χ 2=91.352, P<0.001), and a reduced rate of preoperative skin preparation (66.7% [112/168] vs. 75.9% [4039/5323], χ 2=7.491, P=0.006). Furthermore, fewer patients in the SSI group had preoperative ASA scores of between one and two (56.0% [94/168] vs. 88.7% [4724/5323], χ 2=162.869, P<0.001) in the non-SSI group. The incidences of contaminated and infected incisions were greater in the SSI group (63.1% [106/168] vs. 38.6% [2056/5323], χ 2=40.854, P<0.001). There was a significant difference in surgical site distribution between the SSI and non-SSI groups (small intestine 29.8% [50/168] vs. 10.6% [565/5323], colorectal 26.2% [44/168] vs. 5.6% [298/5 323], and appendix 24.4% [41/168] vs. 65.1% [3465/5323]) χ 2=167.897, P<0.001), respectively. There was a significantly lower proportion of laparoscope or robotic surgery in the non-SSI group (24.4 % [41/168] vs. 74.2% [3949/5323], χ 2=203.199, P<0.001); the percentage of operations of duration less than 2 hours was significantly lower in the SSI than non-SSI group (35.7% [60/168] vs. 77.4% [4119/5323], χ 2=155.487, P<0.001). As to clinical outcomes, there was a higher 30-day postoperative mortality rate (3.0%[5/168] vs. 0.2%[10/5323], χ 2=36.807, P<0.001) and higher postoperative ICU occupancy rate (41.7% [70/168] vs. 19.7% [1046/5323], χ 2=48.748, P<0.001) in the SSI group. The median length of stay in the ICU (0[2] vs. 0[0] days, U=328597.000, P<0.001), median total length of stay after surgery (16[13] vs. 6[5] days, U=128146.000, P<0.001), and median hospitalization cost (ten thousand yuan, 4.7[4.4] vs. 1.7[1.8], U=175965.000, P<0.001) were all significantly greater in the SSI group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the absence of skin preparation before surgery (OR=2.435,95%CI: 1.690–3.508, P<0.001), preoperative albuminemia <30 g/L (OR=1.680, 95%CI: 1.081–2.610, P=0.021), contaminated or infected incisions (OR=3.031, 95%CI: 2.151–4.271, P<0.001), and laparotomy (OR=3.436, 95% CI: 2.123–5.564, P<0.001) were independent risk factors of SSI. Operative duration less than 2 hours (OR=0.465, 95%CI: 0.312–0.695, P<0.001) and ASA score of 1–2 (OR=0.416, 95% CI: 0.289–0.601, P<0.001) were identified as independent protective factors for SSI. Conclusions:It is important to consider the nutritional status in the perioperative period of patients undergoing EAS. Preoperative skin preparation should be conducted and, whenever possible, laparoscope or robot-assisted surgery. Duration of surgery should be as short as possible while maintaining surgery quality and improving patient care.