ObjectiveTo investigate growth hormone secretagogue receptor （GHSR） rs2922126 gene polymorphisms and their association with genetic susceptibility to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease （NAFLD） in the Chinese Han population in Qingdao， China， and to provide a basis for diagnosis and treatment. MethodsA total of 220 patients who were admitted to Qingdao Municipal Hospital from June 2022 to June 2023 and were diagnosed with NAFLD based on radiological examination were enrolled as NAFLD group， and 167 healthy individuals during the same period of time were enrolled as control group. Fasting blood samples were collected from all subjects， and related biochemical parameters were measured. Whole blood DNA was extracted， and polymerase chain reaction and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometer were used for genotyping. The chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups， and the independent-samples t test or the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of continuous data between groups. The binary logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the risk of NAFLD. ResultsCompared with the control group， the NAFLD group had significantly higher age， body mass index （BMI）， fasting plasma glucose， triglyceride， gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase， alkaline phosphatase， alanine aminotransferase， and aspartate aminotransferase， as well as a significantly lower level of high-density lipoprotein （all P0.05）. The distribution of GHSR rs2922126 genotypes was consistent with the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium， suggesting population representativeness in the subjects enrolled （NAFLD group： P=0.106； control group： P=0.849）. There was no significant difference in the distribution of AA， TA， and TT genotypes at GHSR rs2922126 locus between the control group and the NAFLD group （P=0.099）， and there was also no significant difference in allele frequency between the two groups （P=0.063）. In the recessive model of A allele， there was a significant difference in the distribution of AA homozygote and TA+TT genotype between the NAFLD group and the control group （P=0.032）. The binary logistic regression analysis showed that in the recessive model of A allele， AA homozygote carriers had an increased risk of NAFLD compared with TA+TT genotype carriers （odds ratio ［OR］=1.712， 95% confidence interval ［CI］： 1.045 — 2.807， P=0.033）. There was still a significant difference after adjustment for sex， age， and BMI （OR=2.156， 95%CI： 1.221 — 3.808， P=0.008）. In the NAFLD group， AA genotype carriers had a significantly higher serum level of total cholesterol （TC） than TT+TA carriers （Z=-1.99，P=0.046）. ConclusionGHSR rs2922126 AA genotype may be associated with the increased risk of NAFLD in the Chinese Han population in Qingdao， and GHSR rs2922126 AA genotype is associated with the increase in TC in NAFLD patients.

BACKGROUND: The effect of the interval between previous Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication and rescue treatment on therapeutic outcomes remains unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between eradication rates and treatment interval durations in H. pylori infections. METHODS: This prospective observational study was conducted from December 2021 to February 2023 at six tertiary hospitals in Shandong, China. We recruited patients who were positive for H. pylori infection and required rescue treatment. Demographic information, previous times of eradication therapy, last eradication therapy date, and history of antibiotic use data were collected. The patients were divided into four groups based on the rescue treatment interval length: Group A, ≥4 weeks and ≤3 months; Group B, >3 and ≤6 months; Group C, >6 and ≤12 months; and Group D, >12 months. The primary outcome was the eradication rate of H. pylori . Drug compliance and adverse events (AEs) were also assessed. Pearson's χ2 test or Fisher's exact test was used to compare eradication rates between groups. RESULTS: A total of 670 patients were enrolled in this study. The intention-to-treat (ITT) eradication rates were 88.3% (158/179) in Group A, 89.6% (120/134) in Group B, 89.1% (123/138) in Group C, and 87.7% (192/219) in Group D. The per-protocol (PP) eradication rates were 92.9% (156/168) in Group A, 94.5% (120/127) in Group B, 94.5% (121/128) in Group C, and 93.6% (190/203) in Group D. There was no statistically significant difference in the eradication rates between groups in either the ITT ( P = 0.949) or PP analysis ( P = 0.921). No significant differences were observed in the incidence of AEs ( P = 0.934) or drug compliance ( P = 0.849) between groups. CONCLUSION: The interval duration of rescue treatment had no significant effect on H. pylori eradication rates or the incidence of AEs. REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov , NCT05173493.
Humans ; Helicobacter Infections/drug therapy* ; Helicobacter pylori/pathogenicity* ; Male ; Female ; Prospective Studies ; Middle Aged ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/adverse effects* ; Adult ; Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Proton Pump Inhibitors/therapeutic use*

Insertion of external ventricular drainage (EVD) is an effective neurosurgical treatment approach. The accuracy of EVD insertion is related to potential complications, and the precise placement of the catheter tip can reduce the incidence of complications. With the progress of medical technology, the research and application of EVD catheterization technology are developing rapidly. This paper reviews the traditional blind catheterization, computed tomography, ultrasound guidance, mixed reality navigation system, laser positioning neural navigation, mobile device neural navigation, stereotactic system, and the visualization technology of the whole process of neuroendoscope assisted ventricle puncture to guide EVD catheterization to provide references for clinical decision-making by medical staff.
Humans ; Drainage/methods* ; Catheterization/methods* ; Cerebral Ventricles/surgery*

OBJECTIVES: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) imposes a heavy burden on individuals, families, and society. This study analyzed the incidence and mortality trends of RA in China from 1990 to 2023 to provide epidemiological evidence for precise prevention and control. METHODS: Data on RA incidence, age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR), deaths, and age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) in China by sex and age group from 1900 to 2021 were extracted from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 database. Joinpoint regression was used to analyze trends in ASIR and ASMR. An age-period-cohort model was constructed using R4.3.1 to evaluate longitudinal age trends and estimate relative risk (RR) values for period and cohort effects. RESULTS: In 2021, the number of RA cases, ASIR, deaths, and ASMR in China were 247 300, 13.70 per 100 000, 10 300, and 0.54 per 100 000, respectively. From 1990 to 2021, the ASIR of RA increased annually among both females and males, with average annual percentage changes (AAPCs) of 0.44% and 0.72%, respectively. Over the same period, ASMR declined in the total population and among females, with AAPCs of -0.78% and -1.19%, while the change in males was not statistically significant. Age-period-cohort analysis showed that the peak incidence occurred in women aged 60-64 years and men aged 75-79 years, and mortality increased with age. The period effect for incidence rose in both sexes, reaching 1.10 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.94 to 1.27] for females and 1.14 (95% CI 1.02 to 1.27) for males during 2017 to 2021, compared with 2002 to 2006. The mortality period effect RR exhibited a downward-upward-downward pattern, decreasing to 0.56 (95% CI 0.52 to 0.61) in females and 0.75 (95% CI 0.68 to 0.82) in males in 2017 to 2021. Cohort analysis indicated that the highest incidence risk occurred in individuals born during 2012 to 2016, while the cohort effect RR for female RA mortality showed a continuous decline beginning with the 1922 to 1926 birth cohort. CONCLUSIONS The incidence and mortality risks of RA in China have continued to decline. However, with the aging of the population, the incidence and mortality risks among the elderly have increased. Middle-aged women and elderly men should receive focused attention. Health authorities should strengthen education, prevention, and screening among middle-aged women and enhance disease monitoring in elderly populations to reduce the national burden of RA.
Humans ; China/epidemiology* ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/epidemiology* ; Incidence ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Aged ; Cohort Studies ; Mortality/trends* ; Age Distribution ; Age Factors ; Aged, 80 and over ; Adolescent

Objective Melatonin has been shown to have neuroprotective effects.This study is aimed at observing the effects of copper deposition on cognitive function in a toxic milk(TX)mouse model of Wilson disease(WD),and investigating the effects and mechanisms of action of Gandou Bushen Decoction(GDBSD)on melatonin synthesis and pineal function in the WD model mice.Methods A total of 30 homozygous TX mice were randomly assigned to 3 groups(n=10 in each group),including a WD group,a GDBSD group,and a dimercaptosuccinic acid(DMSA)group.A total of 10 DL mice were included in the normal control(NC)group.The structure and copper content of pineal gland tissues,oxidative stress and apoptosis-related markers,and serum melatonin levels were evaluated using hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining,enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA),flow cytometry,and Western blot.Results Compared with the NC group,the WD group exhibited decreased learning and cognitive abilities(P＜0.05),damaged pineal gland structure,increased copper content,reactive oxygen species(ROS)levels,and mitochondrial damage rate in the pineal gland(P＜0.01),altered levels of melatonin and oxidative stress-related markers(P＜0.05),upregulated expression levels of pro-apoptotic proteins Bax and Caspase-3,and decreased expression of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2(P＜0.01).After treatment with GDBSD and DMSA,the SIRT3/FOXO3α signaling pathway was activated,the copper content in the pineal gland was reduced,and oxidative stress and apoptosis-related damages were improved,leading to an improvement in learning and memory abilities(P＜0.05).Conclusion GDBSD can alleviate cognitive impairments in WD mice caused by pineal gland copper deposition by inhibiting oxidative stress and apoptosis in the pineal gland.The underlying molecular mechanism is associated with the regulation of the SIRT3/FOXO3α signaling pathway.

Objective:To evaluate the clinical efficacy of rituximab injection combined with CHOP regimen (cyclophosphamide+doxorubicin+vincristine+prednisolone) in the treatment of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL).Methods:One hundred and twenty patients with DLBCL who treatment in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from June 2019 to June 2022 were selected as the study object. They were randomly divided into the study group (60 cases) and the control group (60 cases). The control group was treated with CHOP regimen, and the study group was treated with rituximab injection on the basis of CHOP regimen. The clinical efficacy, inflammatory reaction, immune function and adverse reaction were evaluated after 6 courses of treatment.Results:After treatment, the total clinical effective rate in the study group was higher than that in the control group: 88.33%(53/60) vs. 70.00%(42/60), there was statistical difference ( χ2 = 6.11, P<0.05). Before treatment, the levels of serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the two groups had no significant differences ( P>0.05); after treatment, the levels of serum IL-6 and TNF-α were decreased, and the levels of serum IL-6 and TNF-α in the study group were lower than those in the control group: (223.56 ± 21.28) ng/L vs. (267.35 ± 25.36) ng/L, (9.34 ± 2.75) μg/L vs. (11.96 ± 3.83) μg/L, there were statistical differences ( P<0.05). Before treatment, the levels of serum immunoglobulin (Ig) A, IgM and IgG in the two groups had no significant differences ( P>0.05); after treatment, the levels of serum IgA, IgM and IgG were decreased, but the levels of serum IgA, IgM and IgG in the study group were higher than those in the control group: (1.83 ± 0.46) g/L vs. (1.34 ± 0.34) g/L, (1.15 ± 0.22) g/L vs. (0.83 ± 0.24) g/L, (10.67 ± 1.65) g/L vs. (8.02 ± 1.62) g/L, there were statistical differences ( P<0.05). After treatment, the incidence of thrombocytopenia, leucopenia, gastrointestinal reaction, bone marrow suppression and liver function injury in the study group were lower than those in the control group: 6.67%(4/60) vs. 20.00%(12/60), 15.00%(9/60) vs. 31.67%(19/60), 30.00%(18/60) vs. 58.33%(35/60), 5.00%(3/60) vs. 16.67%(10/60), 10.00%(6/60) vs. 25.00%(15/60), there were statistical differences ( χ2 = 4.62, 4.66, 9.77, 4.33, 4.88, P<0.05). Conclusions:The treatment effect of rituximab injection combined with CHOP regimen in DLBCL is significant, which can reduce the inflammatory reaction of the body, reduce the damage of immune function, and reduce the adverse reactions of chemotherapy.

Objective To systematically evaluate the experiences of drug self-management in elderly patients with multiple chronic illnesses,so as to provide references for the development of personalized drug self-management intervention programs.Methods Qualitative research on drug self-management experiences of elderly patients with multiple chronic diseases was retrieved from PubMed,Cochrane Library,Embase,CINAHL,Web of Science,Scopus,CNKI,Wanfang,VIP and SinoMed.The retrieval time limit is from the establishment of the databases to November 2023.The qualitative research quality evaluation criteria of the Joanna Briggs Institute Evidence-based Health Care Center in Australia was used to evaluate quality of studies.The results were integrated by meta-integration method.Results A total of 9 studies were included,and 33 research results were extracted,and 4 integrated results and 12 categories were synthesized.The integration results included the objective dilemmas and challenges of drug self-management,the low level of drug literacy,willingness to engage in positive behavior attempts,need of multi-party assistance.Conclusion The objective dilemmas of drug self-management and low level of drug literacy in elderly patients with multimorbidity will seriously affect their health outcomes.Medical staffs should pay attention to the different experiences of patients in the process of drug self-management,identify the needs of patients,formulate targeted intervention support strategies,and improve the level of drug self-management in elderly patients.

Objective:To analyze changes in energy metabolism and oxylipin metabolism in macrophages after stimulation by Mycobacterium marinum ( M. marinum) using targeted metabolomics, and to provide insights into the mechanisms underlying the immune defense by macrophages against M. marinum infections. Methods:Mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages were obtained from the bilateral femurs of mice, and cultured cells were divided into two groups: the active M. marinum group and the inactivated M. marinum group. Bacterial suspensions were prepared using M. marinum clinical isolates; the active M. marinum group was treated with live M. marinum suspensions for 12 hours, while the inactivated M. marinum group with inactivated M. marinum suspensions for 12 hours. Cell morphology was observed through microscopy, and cell length was measured. Cell lysates collected from both groups were subjected to liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis to detect energy and oxylipin metabolites. A t-test was utilized to compare the lengths of macrophages between the two groups, while principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis were conducted to identify differential metabolites. Results:Under the microscope, macrophages in the active M. marinum group formed more granuloma-like cell aggregates compared with those in the inactivated M. marinum group; the macrophages were significantly thinner and longer in the inactivated M. marinum group (439.52 ± 91.67 μm) than in the active M. marinum group (289.96 ± 70.11 μm, P < 0.001). Principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis of energy metabolism and oxylipin metabolism in macrophages demonstrated good separation between the two groups. As for the energy metabolism, a total of 12 differential metabolites were identified, with the amino acid metabolism showing the most significant changes. Specifically, there was a significant increase in the content of L-citrulline, while the content of L-leucine and serine decreased. As for the oxylipin metabolism, 20 differential metabolites were identified, with the arachidonic acid metabolism showing the most significant changes. Conclusions:Macrophages stimulated by live M. marinum exhibited altered amino acid metabolism and arachidonic acid metabolism compared with those stimulated by inactivated M. marinum, characterized by an increase in L-citrulline content, a decrease in L-leucine and serine levels, and alterations in arachidonic acid content.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of combining contralateral high-frequency transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) with biofeedback-controlled empty swallowing training on dysphagia among stroke survivors.Methods:Eighty dysphagic stroke survivors were divided at random into a control group, a biofeedback group, an rTMS group and a combined treatment group, each of 20. In addition to routine dysphagia rehabilitation, the biofeedback group and the rTMS group received empty swallowing training based on biofeedback or high-frequency rTMS applied to the healthy motor cortex as appropriate. The combined treatment group was given both. The treatment was administered once daily, 5 days a week for 3 consecutive weeks. Before and after the treatment, all of the subjects′ swallowing was evaluated using the penetration aspiration scale (PAS), functional oral intake scale (FOIS) and a standardized swallowing assessment (SSA). The latency and amplitude of the mylohyoid muscle′s motor evoked potentials (MEPs) were also recorded before and after the treatment.Results:After the treatment, significant improvement was observed in the average PAS, FOIS and SSA scores as well as in the latency and amplitude of the MEPs in the four groups. The average results in the combined treatment group were significantly better than in the other 3 groups. The latency of the mylohyoid muscle′s MEP was significantly shorter in the combined group than in the control and biofeedback groups on average, while the amplitude was significantly greater than in the control group.Conclusion:Combining contralateral high frequency rTMS with empty swallowing training based on biofeedback can better improve the swallowing of dysphagic stroke survivors.

Objective:To explore the effects of semaglutide on glucolipid metabolism and bone metabolism in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).Methods:A total of 96 T2DM patients treated in the Second People′s Hospital of Hefei from May 2022 to May 2023 were divided into the study group (48 cases) and the control group (48 cases) by treatment methods. The patients in the study group were treated with semaglutide, and the patients in the control group were treated with metformin, respectively, they were treated for 12 weeks. The levels of glucolipid metabolism, body mass index (BMI), bone metabolism, serum levels of adipocytokine 13 (apelin-13), feeding inhibitory factor 1 (nesfatin-1) and chemerin were compared between the two groups before and after treatment, and the incidence of adverse reactions was recorded.Results:After treatment, the improvement of glucolipid metabolism index in the study group were better than those in the control group ( P<0.05). After treatment, the BMI in the study group was lower than that in the control group: (24.26 ± 1.08) kg/m 2 vs. (25.40 ± 1.36) kg/m 2, there was statistical difference ( P<0.05). After treatment, the levels of total type Ⅰ collagen amino terminal lengthening peptide (TPINP) and bone gla protein (BGP) in the study group were higher than those in the control group and β C-terminal telopeptide of type Ⅰcollagen (β-CTX) was lower than that in the control group: (48.50 ± 9.27) μg/L vs. (44.85 ± 8.20) μg/L, (20.73 ± 6.34) μg/L vs. (18.05 ± 6.20) μg/L, (0.30 ± 0.10) μg/L vs.(0.36 ± 0.08) μg/L, there were statistical differences ( P< 0.05). After treatment, the levels of serum apelin-13 in the study group was higher than that in the control group, while the levels of nesfatin-1 and chemerin were lower than those in the control group: (1 500.43 ± 153.36) ng/L vs. (1 350.24 ± 142.30) ng/L, (3.06 ± 0.65) μg/L vs. (3.75 ± 0.78) μg/L, (9.85 ± 2.46) μg/L vs. (11.37 ± 2.34) μg/L, there were statistical differences ( P<0.05). The incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups had no statistical difference ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Semaglutide can significantly improve glucolipid metabolism, bone metabolism, decrease BMI, nesfatin-1 and chemerin levels, and increase apelin-13 level in T2DM patients.