OBJECTIVE: To compare the short-term clinical efficacy and safety of closed reduction with Kirschner wire fixation versus open reduction with plate fixation for treating osteoporotic Colles' fractures in middle-aged and elderly patients. METHODS: Between January 2018 and January 2023, 119 patients with Colles fractures were retrospectively analyzed, including 39 males and 80 females, aged from 48 to 74 years old with an average of(60.58±6.71) years old. The time from injury to operation ranged 1 to 13 days with an average of (5.29±2.52) days. According to the surgical method, they were divided into Kirschner wire fixation group (Kirschner wire group) and plate internal fixation group (plate group). In Kirschner wire group, there were a total of 68 patients, comprising 21 males and 47 females. The average age was (61.15±6.24) years old, ranged from 49 to 74 years old. Among them, 41 cases involved the left side while 27 cases involved the right side. In the plate group, there were a total of 51 patients, including 18 males and 33 females. The average age was (59.78±5.71) years old ranged from 48 to 72 years old. Among them, there were 31 cases on the left side and 20 cases on the right side. The following parameters were recorded before and after the operation:operation time, intraoperative blood loss, hospitalization days, hospitalization expenses, postoperative complications, and radiographic parameters of distal radius (distal radius height, ulnar deviation angle, palmar tilt angle). The clinical efficacy was evaluated at 3 and 12 months after the operation using Gartland-Werley and disabilites of the arm shoulder and hand (DASH) scores. RESULTS: The patients in both groups were followed up for a duration from 12 to 19 months with an average of(13.32±2.02) months. The Kirschner wire group exhibited significantly shorter operation time compared to the plate group 27.91(13.00, 42.00) min vs 67.52(29.72, 105.32) min, Z=-8.74, P=0.00. Intraoperative blood loss was also significantly lower in the Kirschner wire group than in the plate group 3.24(1.08, 5.40) ml vs 21.91(17.38, 26.44) ml, Z=-9.31, P=0.00. Furthermore, patients in the Kirschner wire group had a shorter length of hospital stay compared to those in the plate group (8.38±2.63) days vs (11.40±2.78) days, t=-3.12, P=0.00. Additionally, hospitalization cost was significantly lower in the Kirschner wire group than in the plate group 10 111.29(6 738.98, 13 483.60) yuan vs 15 871.11(11 690.40, 20 051.82) yuan, Z=-5.62, P=0.00. The incidence of complications was 2 cases in the Kirschner wire group and 1 case in the plate group, with no statistically significant difference(P>0.05). At 3 months postoprative, the radial height of the Kirschner wire group was found to be significantly smaller than that of the plate group, with measurements of (11.45±1.69) mm and (12.11±1.78) mm respectively (t=-2.06, P=0.04). However, there were no statistically significant differences observed in ulnar deviation angle and palmar tilt angle between the two groups (P>0.05). The DASH score and Gartland-Werley score in the Kirschner group were significantly higher than those in the plate group at 3 months post-operation (19.10±9.89) vs (13.47±3.51), t=4.34, P=0.00;(11.15±3.61) vs (6.41±2.75), t=8.13, P=0.00). However, there was no significant difference between the two groups at 12 months post-operation (P>0.05). CONCLUSION Compared to plate internal fixation, closed reduction with Kirschner wire support fixation yields a slightly inferior recovery of radial height;however, there is no significant disparity in the functional score of the affected limb at 12 months post-operation. Nonetheless, this technique offers advantages such as shorter operation time, reduced intraoperative blood loss, decreased hospitalization duration, and lower cost.
Humans ; Female ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Fracture Fixation, Internal/instrumentation* ; Bone Wires ; Bone Plates ; Retrospective Studies ; Colles' Fracture/surgery* ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures/methods* ; Open Fracture Reduction/methods* ; Osteoporotic Fractures/surgery*

The aim of this investigation was to determine the optimal storage medium for testicular hypothermic transportation and identify the ideal concentration for the application of the protective agent 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA). Furthermore, this study aimed to explore the underlying mechanism of the protective effects of 5-ALA. First, we collected and stored mouse testicular fragments in different media, including Hank's balanced salt solution (HBSS; n = 5), Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium/Nutrient Mixture F-12 (DMEM/F12; n = 5), and alpha-minimum essential medium (αMEM; n = 5). Storage of testicular tissue in HBSS preserved the integrity of testicular morphology better than that in the DMEM/F12 group ( P < 0.05) and the αMEM group ( P < 0.01). Testicular fragments were subsequently placed in HBSS with various concentrations of 5-ALA (0 [control], 1 mmol l -1 , 2 mmol l -1 , and 5 mmol l -1 ) to determine the most effective concentration of 5-ALA. The 2 mmol l -1 5-ALA group ( n = 3) presented the highest positive rate of spermatogonial stem cells compared with those in the control, 1 mmol l -1 , and 5 mmol l -1 5-ALA groups. Finally, the tissue fragments were preserved in HBSS with control ( n = 3) and 2 mmol l -1 5-ALA ( n = 3) under low-temperature conditions. A comparative analysis was performed against fresh testes ( n = 3) to elucidate the underlying mechanism of 5-ALA. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) for WikiPathways revealed that the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway was downregulated in the 2 mmol l -1 5-ALA group compared with that in the control group (normalized enrichment score [NES] = -1.57, false discovery rate [FDR] = 0.229, and P = 0.019). In conclusion, these data suggest that using 2 mmol l -1 5-ALA in HBSS effectively protected the viability of spermatogonial stem cells upon hypothermic transportation.
Male ; Animals ; Testis/cytology* ; Aminolevulinic Acid/pharmacology* ; Mice ; Organ Preservation/methods* ; Organ Preservation Solutions/pharmacology* ; Cryopreservation/methods*

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the potential causal relationship between gut microbiota and food allergy (FA) using two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) methods. METHODS: Data from genome-wide association studies on gut microbiota and FA were utilized. MR analysis was conducted employing inverse variance weighting, MR-Egger regression, and weighted median methods to assess the causal relationship between gut microbiota and FA. Cochrane's Q test was used to evaluate heterogeneity of instrumental variables, MR-PRESSO analysis was conducted to test for outliers and pleiotropy, and MR-Egger regression was employed to assess horizontal pleiotropy. The "leave-one-out" method was used to evaluate the impact of removing individual single nucleotide polymorphisms on the causal relationship. RESULTS: Inverse variance weighting analysis revealed that the phylum Verrucomicrobia, family Verrucomicrobiaceae, order Verrucomicrobiales, genus Ruminococcaceae UCG013, and genus Akkermansia were negatively associated with FA (P<0.05). Sensitivity analyses confirmed the reliability of the findings, indicating no heterogeneity or pleiotropy present. CONCLUSIONS There is a causal relationship between gut microbiota and FA, with Verrucomicrobia, Verrucomicrobiaceae, Verrucomicrobiales, Ruminococcaceae UCG013, and Akkermansia potentially reducing the risk of developing FA. These findings provide potential targets for the treatment and prevention of FA; however, further research is needed to explore the specific mechanisms by which the microbiota influence FA.
Humans ; Mendelian Randomization Analysis ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Food Hypersensitivity/microbiology* ; Genome-Wide Association Study ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

Damarane-type triterpene saponins are the main active ingredients in Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Thunb.) Makino. By using D101 macroporous adsorption resin and silica gel open-columns, C18 medium-pressure column chromatography, and preparative high performance liquid chromatography, we isolated four compounds from the leaves of G. pentaphyllum planted in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Their structures were determined by comprehensive analyses of MS, NMR data and circular dichroism spectroscopy and identified as (3β,12β)-dihydroxy-25-peroxyhydrohydrodammarane-20,23-diene-3-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl(1→2)]-β-D-glucopyranoside (1), (3β,12β,24S)-trihydroxydammarane-20,25-diene-3-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl(1→2)]-β-D-glucopyranoside (2), (3β,20α)-dihydroxy-24-en-12β,22S-epoxydammarane-3-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl(1→2)]-β-D-glucopyranoside (3), (3β,12β,20S)-trihydroxydammarane-24-en-3-O-[6-O-acetyl-β-D-glucopyranosyl(1→2)-β-D-glucopyranosyl]-20-O-β-D-xylopyranosyl(1→3)-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1→6)-β-D-glucopyranoside (4). Compounds 1-4 are new dammarane-type triterpene saponins.

The growth of three plague phages from Qinghai Plateau in two Yersinia pestis strains(plague vaccine strains EV76 and 614F)and four non-Yersinia pestis strains(Yersinia pseudotuberculosis PTB3,PTB5,Escherichia coli V517,and Yersinia enterocolitica 52302-2)were detected through a micromethod based on the OmniLogTM microbial identification system and by the drop method,to provide a scientific basis for future ecological studies and classification based on the host range.For plague vaccine strains EV76 and 614F,successful phage infection and subsequent phage growth were observed in the host bacte-rium.Diminished bacterial growth and respiration and a concomitant decrease in color were observed with the OmniLogTM mi-crobial identification system at 33 ℃ for 48 h.Yersinia pseudotuberculosis PTB5 was sensitive to Yersinia pestis phage 476,but Yersinia pseudotuberculosis PST5 was insensitive to phage 087 and 072204.Three strains of non-Yersinia pestis(Yersinia pseudotuberculosis PTB3,Escherichia coli V517,and Yersinia enterocolitica 52302-2)were insensitive to Yersinia pestis pha-ges 087,072204,and 476 showed similar growth curves.The growth of phages 476 and 087,as determined with the drop method,in two Yersinia pestis strains(plague vaccine strains EV76 and 614F)and four non-Yersinia pestis strains(Yersinia pseudotuberculosis PTB3,Escherichia coli V517,and Yersin-ia enterocolitica 52302-2)showed the same results at 37 ℃,on the basis of comparisons with the OmniLogTM microbial i-dentification system;in contrast,phages 072204 did not show plaques on solid medium at 37 ℃ with plague vaccine strains EV76 and 614F.Determination based on the OmniLogTM detection system can be used as an alternative to the traditional determination of the host range,thus providing favorable application val-ue for determining the interaction between the phage and host bacteria.

Objective To establish and validate a method for simultaneous determination of 9 sedative-hypnotics in human plasma,and to explore the preliminary clinical application.Methods Plasma samples were precipitated with acetonitrile and determined by high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry.The column was Agilent Poroshell 120 EC-C18(2.1 mm × 50.0 mm,2.7μm)and eluted with acetonitrile water containing 0.1％formic acid in an equal degree program at a flow rate of 0.3 mL·min-1.The column temperature was 20 ℃ and injection volume was 5 μL.The deprotonated ions of analytes were ionized by positive ion,electron spray ionization and multiple reaction monitoring mode.The specificity,standard curve and lower limit of quantification,precision and recovery,matrix effect,stability and dilution effect of the method were investigated.Results Excellent linear relationship with correlation coefficient of r2 ≥ 0.997 7 was obtained.The linear of esazolam,alprazolam,oxazepam,clonazepam,lorazepam,triazolam,midazolam,diazepam and zolpidem were 18-1 800,4.5-450,25-2 500,3.5-350,25-2 500,1.5-150,5.5-550,35-3 500,4-400 ng·mL-1,respectively.The lower limit of quantification were 18,4.5,25,3.5,25,1.5,5.5,35,4 ng·mL-1.The method was accurate and precise with acceptable intra-day and inter-day precisions(relative standard deviations were less than 20％for a lower limit of quantification and less than 15％for other quality control samples)and an accuracy of 86.21％-112.38％.The extraction recovery rate were 93.07％-110.50％.The matrix factors normalized by internal standard were 86.61％-108.41％,relative standard deviations were less than 15％.Plasma samples remained stable under various storage conditions.The precision and accuracy of plasma samples were acceptable after dilution.Conclusion The method is simple,rapid,sensitive and specific,and it can be used for simultaneous detection of the 9 sedative-hypnotics in human plasma.

Objectives: To investigated the safety and efficacy of treating patients with acute non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) and elevated levels of N-terminal pro-hormone B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) with levosimendan within 24 hours of first medical contact (FMC). Methods: This multicenter, open-label, block-randomized controlled trial (NCT03189901) investigated the safety and efficacy of levosimendan as an early management strategy of acute heart failure (EMS-AHF) for patients with NSTEMI and high NT-proBNP levels. This study included 255 patients with NSTEMI and elevated NT-proBNP levels, including 142 males and 113 females with a median age of 65 (58-70) years, and were admitted in the emergency or outpatient departments at 14 medical centers in China between October 2017 and October 2021. The patients were randomly divided into a levosimendan group (n=129) and a control group (n=126). The primary outcome measure was NT-proBNP levels on day 3 of treatment and changes in the NT-proBNP levels from baseline on day 5 after randomization. The secondary outcome measures included the proportion of patients with more than 30% reduction in NT-proBNP levels from baseline, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) during hospitalization and at 6 months after hospitalization, safety during the treatment, and health economics indices. The measurement data parameters between groups were compared using the t-test or the non-parametric test. The count data parameters were compared between groups using the χ² test. Results: On day 3, the NT-proBNP levels in the levosimendan group were lower than the control group but were statistically insignificant [866 (455, 1 960) vs. 1 118 (459, 2 417) ng/L, Z=-1.25,P=0.21]. However, on day 5, changes in the NT-proBNP levels from baseline in the levosimendan group were significantly higher than the control group [67.6% (33.8%,82.5%)vs.54.8% (7.3%,77.9%), Z=-2.14, P=0.03]. There were no significant differences in the proportion of patients with more than 30% reduction in the NT-proBNP levels on day 5 between the levosimendan and the control groups [77.5% (100/129) vs. 69.0% (87/126), χ²=2.34, P=0.13]. Furthermore, incidences of MACE did not show any significant differences between the two groups during hospitalization [4.7% (6/129) vs. 7.1% (9/126), χ²=0.72, P=0.40] and at 6 months [14.7% (19/129) vs. 12.7% (16/126), χ²=0.22, P=0.64]. Four cardiac deaths were reported in the control group during hospitalization [0 (0/129) vs. 3.2% (4/126), P=0.06]. However, 6-month survival rates were comparable between the two groups (log-rank test, P=0.18). Moreover, adverse events or serious adverse events such as shock, ventricular fibrillation, and ventricular tachycardia were not reported in both the groups during levosimendan treatment (days 0-1). The total cost of hospitalization [34 591.00(15 527.46,59 324.80) vs. 37 144.65(16 066.90,63 919.00)yuan, Z=-0.26, P=0.80] and the total length of hospitalization [9 (8, 12) vs. 10 (7, 13) days, Z=0.72, P=0.72] were lower for patients in the levosimendan group compared to those in the control group, but did not show statistically significant differences. Conclusions: Early administration of levosimendan reduced NT-proBNP levels in NSTEMI patients with elevated NT-proBNP and did not increase the total cost and length of hospitalization, but did not significantly improve MACE during hospitalization or at 6 months.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Aged ; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain ; Simendan/therapeutic use* ; Non-ST Elevated Myocardial Infarction ; Heart Failure/drug therapy* ; Peptide Fragments ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Biomarkers ; Prognosis

Objective: This cross-sectional investigation aimed to determine the incidence, clinical characteristics, prognosis, and related risk factors of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain in mainland China. Methods: Data of patients with SARS-CoV-2 from December 28, 2022, to February 21, 2023, were collected through online and offline questionnaires from 45 tertiary hospitals and one center for disease control and prevention in mainland China. The questionnaire included demographic information, previous health history, smoking and alcohol drinking, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, olfactory and gustatory function before and after infection, other symptoms after infection, as well as the duration and improvement of olfactory and gustatory dysfunction. The self-reported olfactory and gustatory functions of patients were evaluated using the Olfactory VAS scale and Gustatory VAS scale. Results: A total of 35 566 valid questionnaires were obtained, revealing a high incidence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain (67.75%). Females(χ2=367.013, P<0.001) and young people(χ2=120.210, P<0.001) were more likely to develop these dysfunctions. Gender(OR=1.564, 95%CI: 1.487-1.645), SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status (OR=1.334, 95%CI: 1.164-1.530), oral health status (OR=0.881, 95%CI: 0.839-0.926), smoking history (OR=1.152, 95%CI=1.080-1.229), and drinking history (OR=0.854, 95%CI: 0.785-0.928) were correlated with the occurrence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to SARS-CoV-2(above P<0.001). 44.62% (4 391/9 840) of the patients who had not recovered their sense of smell and taste also suffered from nasal congestion, runny nose, and 32.62% (3 210/9 840) suffered from dry mouth and sore throat. The improvement of olfactory and taste functions was correlated with the persistence of accompanying symptoms(χ2=10.873, P=0.001). The average score of olfactory and taste VAS scale was 8.41 and 8.51 respectively before SARS-CoV-2 infection, but decreased to3.69 and 4.29 respectively after SARS-CoV-2 infection, and recovered to 5.83and 6.55 respectively at the time of the survey. The median duration of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions was 15 days and 12 days, respectively, with 0.5% (121/24 096) of patients experiencing these dysfunctions for more than 28 days. The overall self-reported improvement rate of smell and taste dysfunctions was 59.16% (14 256/24 096). Gender(OR=0.893, 95%CI: 0.839-0.951), SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status (OR=1.334, 95%CI: 1.164-1.530), history of head and facial trauma(OR=1.180, 95%CI: 1.036-1.344, P=0.013), nose (OR=1.104, 95%CI: 1.042-1.171, P=0.001) and oral (OR=1.162, 95%CI: 1.096-1.233) health status, smoking history(OR=0.765, 95%CI: 0.709-0.825), and the persistence of accompanying symptoms (OR=0.359, 95%CI: 0.332-0.388) were correlated with the recovery of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to SARS-CoV-2 (above P<0.001 except for the indicated values). Conclusion: The incidence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain is high in mainland China, with females and young people more likely to develop these dysfunctions. Active and effective intervention measures may be required for cases that persist for a long time. The recovery of olfactory and taste functions is influenced by several factors, including gender, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status, history of head and facial trauma, nasal and oral health status, smoking history, and persistence of accompanying symptoms.
Female ; Humans ; Adolescent ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Smell ; COVID-19/complications* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; COVID-19 Vaccines ; Incidence ; Olfaction Disorders/etiology* ; Taste Disorders/etiology* ; Prognosis

Aim To investigate the effeot of Shenqi Fuzheng injection on the prevention of immune myocarditis induced by anti-PD-1 antibody by reducing the production of inflammatory factors and the expression of myocardial injury markers. Methods Thirty-two maie PD-1 humanized mice with C57BL/6 genetic background were randomly divided into control group, myocarditis model group, anti-PD-1 antibody group and Shenqi Fuzheng injection group (n = 8). Except the control group, mice in other groups were intraperitoneally injected with myocardial myosin heavy chain peptide (5 mg • kg

Objective: To investigate the feasibility and safety of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)-supported percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in chronic coronary total occlusion (CTO) patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Methods: The CTO patients with LVEF≤35% and undergoing CTO-PCI assisted by ECMO in the General Hospital of Northern Theater Command from December 2018 to March 2022 were enrolled in this study. The post-procedure complications, changes of LVEF from pre-procedure to post-procedure during hospitalization, and the incidence of all-cause mortality and changes of LVEF after discharge were assessed. Results: A total of 17 patients aged (59.4±11.8) years were included. There were 14 males. The pre-procedure LVEF of these patients were (29.00±4.08)%. Coronary angiography results showed that there were 29 CTO lesions in these 17 patients. There was 1 in left main coronary artery, 7 in left anterior descending artery, 11 in left circumflex artery, and 10 in right coronary artery. ECMO was implanted in all patients before procedure. Among 25 CTO lesions attempted to cross, 24 CTO were successfully implanted with stents. All patients underwent successful PCI for at least one CTO lesion. The number of drug-eluting stents implantation per patient were 4.6±1.3. After procedure, there were 8 patients with hemoglobin decreased>20 g/L, and 1 patient with ECMO-access-site related bleeding. The LVEF value at a median duration of 2.5 (2.0-5.5) days after procedure significantly increased to (38.73±7.01)% (P<0.001 vs. baseline). There were no in-hospital deaths. Patients were followed up for 360 (120, 394) days after discharge, 3 patients died (3/17). The LVEF value was (41.80±7.32)% at 155 (100, 308) days after discharge, which was significantly higher than the baseline value (P<0.001). Conclusion: The results of present study demonstrate that it is feasible, efficient and safe to perform ECMO)-supported CTO-PCI in CTO patients with reduced LVEF.
Male ; Humans ; Stroke Volume ; Ventricular Function, Left ; Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention ; Heart ; Vascular Diseases