OBJECTIVES: End stage renal disease (ESRD) is a major disease that seriously threatens the health of young people, and kidney transplantation is an effective treatment method to improve its prognosis.Young ESRD patients at a critical stage of life development often face significant physical and psychological challenges while waiting for kidney transplantation. Their psychological state directly affects treatment compliance and transplantation outcomes.This study aims to explore the psychological experiences of young patients with end stage renal disease during the waiting period for kidney transplantation, and provide a reference for formulating relevant psychological intervention measures. METHODS: A descriptive qualitative research design was adopted. Using purposive sampling, 20 young ESRD patients awaiting for kidney transplantation at the Transplantation Center of Xiangya Third Hospital, Central South University, from June to August 2024, were recruited. Based on the socio-ecological systems theory, a semi-structured interview outline was developed, and directed content analysis was applied to analyze the interview data. RESULTS: According to the results of qualitative interviews, 3 themes and 9 sub-themes were summarized as follows: Microsystem (disease pain experience, anxiety during transplantation waiting period, cognitive differentiation and coping differences), mesosystem (imbalance of family roles and dependent guilt, physician-patient trust dynamics, ambivalence toward peer support), and macrosystem (decision-making powerlessness caused by information asymmetry, sociocultural stigma and public bias, institutional dependence and passive behavior). CONCLUSIONS Young ESRD patients experience complex psychological experiences during the waiting period for kidney transplantation. Healthcare providers should explore corresponding intervention measures based on patients' psychological status to improve their waiting period experience and promote both physical and mental health.
Humans ; Kidney Transplantation/psychology* ; Kidney Failure, Chronic/surgery* ; Qualitative Research ; Female ; Male ; Adult ; Adaptation, Psychological ; Waiting Lists ; Young Adult ; Adolescent ; Anxiety/psychology*

Mannheimia varigena(M.varigena)is a significant pathogen causing bovine respiratory disease.Transferrin binding protein B(TbpB)is a lipoprotein directly exposed to the outer mem-brane of the cell,which is not only involved in the bacterial iron metabolism pathway,but also an important virulence factor.This study aims to lay the groundwork for developing novel subunit vaccines by conducting site-directed mutagenesis on M.varigena TbpB binding-related residues and evaluating their immunogenicity.Based on whole-genome sequencing of a bovine M.varigena i-solate,its iron uptake pathway was predicted.Key amino acid residues of M.varigena TbpB that play a role for binding to bovine transferrin(bTf)was identified by bioinformatics.We constructed two M.varigena TbpB mutants(Y205A and Y258A)and assessed their bTf binding activity and immunogenicity through dot blot assays and mouse immunization studies.Dot blot assays result showed that the Y258A mutation caused TbpB to lose its ability to bind to bTf.Mouse immuniza-tion studies showed that,compared to wild-type TbpB,the mutants of TbpB induced higher levels of specific antibodies.In challenge experiments,mice immunized with mutant TbpB exhibited high-er survival rates.These results demonstrate that site-directed mutagenesis can enhance the immu-nogenicity of TbpB.This study provides a novel approach for developing new subunit vaccines a-gainst M.varigena.

Objective:To investigate the key technical aspects of laparoscopic anti-reflux surgery (LARS) in complex gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with hiatal hernia (HH) and evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of reoperation.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 28 patients with complex GERD treated at Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital from Feb 2020 to May 2024. Preoperative examinations were recorded, and surgical videos were reviewed to reconstruct operative time, critical intraoperative steps, complications, and management techniques. Postoperative follow-up via telephone and outpatient visits assessed symptom relief, complications, and medication use.Results:All 28 patients (4 robotic-assisted and 24 conventional laparoscopic surgeries) successfully underwent LARS, with an operative duration of (152.6±10.3) minutes and a postoperative hospital stay of (4.0±1.9) days. Large HH 9 cases, intraoperative bleeding 6 cases, pleural rupture 3 case, and esophageal perforation 1 case, preoperative diagnoses included short esophagus 2 cases and 7 redo surgeries. The overall recurrence rate was 11%. Postoperative complications occurred in 14%. The redo surgeries group achieved 71% symptom resolution. At 1-12 months of follow-up, 82% of patients were asymptomatic, and 82% discontinued proton pump inhibitor therapy.Conclusions:Complex scenarios requiring specialized techniques in LARS increase surgical difficulty and risks. Standardized management of the hernia sac, hiatal repair, neurovascular protection, identification of anatomical landmarks in reoperations, selection of biological mesh, and adhesiolysis may reduce recurrence rates and complication risks.

BACKGROUND:Anybody musculoskeletal modeling system uses mathematical modeling techniques to simulate the relationship between human bones,muscles,and the environment,allowing for the study of inverse dynamics of the human body and obtaining indicators such as lower limb joint forces.OBJECTIVE:To analyze the stress distribution patterns of lower limb joints during the practice of Tai Chi movements,thereby exploring the scientific training and exercise value of Tai Chi.METHODS:Eight Tai Chi master-level athletes were selected from the Wushu College of Beijing Sport University for data collection,including seven sets of stepping movements and CT scans of the right femur.The BTS infrared capture system and Kistler three-dimensional force platform were used to collect kinematic and mechanical data of the seven sets of stepping movements in Tai Chi(Eight Methods and Five Steps).The Anybody 7.2 musculoskeletal model's multi-body dynamics simulation technology was utilized to calculate lower limb joint dynamic parameters,and Workbench 19.2 was used to perform stress analysis on the femur.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Using Workbench software,the stress results of the femur for seven sets of movements were obtained.The peak stress values of the seven sets of movements in descending order were:Retreat and Rollback(22.00 MPa),Retreat and Pluck(19.379 MPa),Left and Right Shift Step Squeeze and Press(9.35 MPa),Left and Right Shift Step Elbow Lean(6.30 MPa),Forward Step and Expand(4.68 MPa),Forward Step and Pull(2.57 MPa),and Middle Fixed Standalone Position(0.31 MPa).(2)In the seven sets of stepping movements,the two backward stepping movements resulted in the greatest stress on the femur(P＜0.05),and the maximum stress positions on the femur were different during the movement of the seven sets of actions.(3)It is concluded that during the seven sets of stepping movements in Tai Chi(Eight Methods and Five Steps),stress threshold and maximum stress position of the femur will vary with different movements in five directions(seven sets of movements).Continuous training can comprehensively stimulate the femoral body.Forward stepping movements have a greater impact on the front and upper lateral side of the femoral body,while backward stepping movements have a greater impact on the back and inner side of the femoral body.Left and right lateral stepping movements mainly involve symmetrical stress on both sides of the femoral body.(4)Beginners should train targeted according to the stress characteristics of different stepping movements.During forward and backward stepping movements,attention should be paid to the rotational force of Tai Chi,and during left and right lateral stepping movements,attention should be paid to the medial counterforce.Beginners should focus on the Tai Chi training steps that correspond to their own weaknesses to achieve better exercise outcomes.

Objective To analyze the main epidemiological characteristics of fungal infection in this hospital in the past 7 years,and to provide reference for clinical treatment and prevention and control strategies of fun-gal infection.Methods The fungal data and clinical data of related patients isolated from clinical samples in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from early January 2018 to the end of May 2024 were selected,and the main epidemiological characteristics of fungal infection in this hospital were identified and described through multi-angle statistical analysis.Results A total of 4 479 patients with filamentous fungal infection were en-rolled.The proportion of male patients[57.5％(2 576/4 479)]was higher than that of female patients[42.5％(1 903/4 143)],mainly distributed in internal medicine,Intensive Care Unit(ICU)and emergency de-partment,among which internal medicine accounted for the highest proportion[50.0％(2 241/4 479)].About 90.0％of the specimens were from the lower respiratory tract,in addition to specimens from skin and soft tis-sue,tissue,ear and blood culture.In terms of seasonal distribution,there are more patients in winter.The fun-gi were mainly composed of Aspergillus,Mucor,Cerdosporium,Fusarium and Penicillium,among which As-pergillus was the most abundant,accounting for 74.6％of the total.Aspergillus fumigatus was the most a-bundant Aspergillus,accounting for 42.5％of the total Aspergillus(1 418/3 340).Among the related infec-tions caused by mold,Aspergillus was the most common in the lower respiratory tract,accounting for 76.8％.Among them,Aspergillus fumigatus accounted for the highest proportion(33.6％).98.6％of the molds infected the ear were Aspergillus,of which Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus terreus were the most common.Skin infections are mainly caused by Sporothrix schenckii,Trichophyton rubrum,Microsporum ca-nis.The results of in vitro drug sensitivity test showed that the four common Aspergillus isolated in this hos-pital were sensitive to voriconazole,and amphotericin B had better antifungal activity against Mucorales in vitro.Conclusion Based on the main epidemiological characteristics of fungal infections in this hospital,it is recommended that special attention be paid to the admission of patients in the respiratory department during the peak infection period in autumn and winter.In the treatment of fungal infections in different regions and on different body parts,attention should be paid to the differences in the distribution of bacterial species.

Objective To isolate pathogenic bacteria from the skin of a nude mouse exhibiting squamous skin scurfs, and perform bacterial identification, traceability analysis, and pathogenicity studies to provide a new approach for the diagnosis of pathogens in nude mice with squamous skin scurfs. MethodsSkin swab samples were collected from a nude mouse exhibiting squamous skin scurfs for nucleic acid testing, bacterial isolation and culture, biochemical identification, 16S rDNA gene amplification and sequencing, and whole genome sequencing to construct a phylogenetic tree. Fifteen BALB/c nude mice were randomized into a saline-treated control group, a high-concentration group treated with 1.8×10⁸ CFU/mL of the isolated bacterial suspension, and a low-concentration group treated with 1.8×10⁷ CFU/mL of the isolated bacterial suspension. Pathogenicity was assessed by animal infection experiments and observation of histopathological changes in skin tissue using HE staining. Results The nucleic acid test for Corynebacterium bovis was negative, excluding infection by this organism. The pathogen isolated on mannitol salt agar and blood agar, combined with Gram staining, suggested a Gram-positive Staphylococcus species. The isolated strain was identified by 16S rDNA sequencing and a fully automated microbial identification system as Staphylococcus xylosus. Phylogenetic tree analysis based on whole genome sequencing showed that the strain was most closely related to an isolate from leafy vegetables in South Korea (GenBank GCA_00207825.1). In the high-concentration group, squamous skin scurfs appeared on the head, neck, and back of nude mice on the 17th day post-infection, while in the low concentration group, similar symptoms appeared on the 20th day post-infection and gradually spread to other areas. The scaling symptoms were transient, lasting for 7 days in the high-concentration group and 3 days in the low-concentration group, after which the skin returned to normal. The infection rate was 33.33% in both the high- and low-concentration groups. No significant pathological changes were observed in the skin tissues of infected mice compared to the control group, indicating marked individual differences in the pathogenicity of the strain in nude mice. Conclusion A strain of Staphylococcus xylosus was isolated from the skin of a nude mouse exhibiting squamous skin scurfs. The strain is an opportunistic pathogen that causes transient squamous skin scurfs without significant histopathological changes, and there are individual differences in the sensitivity of nude mice to this strain. These findings can provide valuable data for pathogen identification in immunodeficient or gene knockout mice.

Objective To isolate pathogenic bacteria from the skin of a nude mouse exhibiting squamous skin scurfs, and perform bacterial identification, traceability analysis, and pathogenicity studies to provide a new approach for the diagnosis of pathogens in nude mice with squamous skin scurfs. MethodsSkin swab samples were collected from a nude mouse exhibiting squamous skin scurfs for nucleic acid testing, bacterial isolation and culture, biochemical identification, 16S rDNA gene amplification and sequencing, and whole genome sequencing to construct a phylogenetic tree. Fifteen BALB/c nude mice were randomized into a saline-treated control group, a high-concentration group treated with 1.8×10⁸ CFU/mL of the isolated bacterial suspension, and a low-concentration group treated with 1.8×10⁷ CFU/mL of the isolated bacterial suspension. Pathogenicity was assessed by animal infection experiments and observation of histopathological changes in skin tissue using HE staining. Results The nucleic acid test for Corynebacterium bovis was negative, excluding infection by this organism. The pathogen isolated on mannitol salt agar and blood agar, combined with Gram staining, suggested a Gram-positive Staphylococcus species. The isolated strain was identified by 16S rDNA sequencing and a fully automated microbial identification system as Staphylococcus xylosus. Phylogenetic tree analysis based on whole genome sequencing showed that the strain was most closely related to an isolate from leafy vegetables in South Korea (GenBank GCA_00207825.1). In the high-concentration group, squamous skin scurfs appeared on the head, neck, and back of nude mice on the 17th day post-infection, while in the low concentration group, similar symptoms appeared on the 20th day post-infection and gradually spread to other areas. The scaling symptoms were transient, lasting for 7 days in the high-concentration group and 3 days in the low-concentration group, after which the skin returned to normal. The infection rate was 33.33% in both the high- and low-concentration groups. No significant pathological changes were observed in the skin tissues of infected mice compared to the control group, indicating marked individual differences in the pathogenicity of the strain in nude mice. Conclusion A strain of Staphylococcus xylosus was isolated from the skin of a nude mouse exhibiting squamous skin scurfs. The strain is an opportunistic pathogen that causes transient squamous skin scurfs without significant histopathological changes, and there are individual differences in the sensitivity of nude mice to this strain. These findings can provide valuable data for pathogen identification in immunodeficient or gene knockout mice.

Objective The study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of tislelizumab combined with chemotherapy versus pembrolizumab combined with chemotherapy as first-line treatments for advanced lung squa-mous cell carcinoma.Methods We retrospectively reviewed and analyzed the medical records of 116 patients with advanced lung squamous cell carcinoma treated with first-line chemotherapy plus tislelizumab or pembrolizumab in Guangzhou Chest Hospital from September 2020 to April 2024.We focused on analysis of time to treatment failure(TTF)and objective response rate(ORR)as well as disease control rate(DCR)and treatment-related adverse events(TRAEs).Results At a median follow up of 19.7 monyhs,the median TTF was 9.7 months in the tislelizumab group and 7.7 months in the pembrolizumab group(P<0.05).In addition,the ORR in the tislelizumab group was significantly higher than that in the pembrolizumab group(77.6%vs.60.3%,P<0.05),with DCRs of 93.1%and 87.9%,respectively(P=0.342).Regarding safety,the proportions of grade 3 or higher TRAEs and any-grade TRAEs were comparable between the two groups:29.3%and 81.0%in the tislelizumab group,and 32.8%and 87.9%in the pembrolizumab group,respectively.The most common TRAEs in both groups were hematological toxicities.Conclusions Tislelizumab plus chemotherapy demonstrated better efficacy and safety compared to pembrolizumab with chemotherapy as first-line treatment for Chinese patients with advanced lung squamous cell carcinoma.

Objective:To investigate the impact of the number of examined lymph nodes (ELN) on survival outcomes in gastric cancer patients with postoperative pathological stage pN3b.Methods:This retrospective cohort study included 279 pN3b gastric cancer patients who underwent D2 gastrectomy at Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University (September 2008 to April 2023), with 35 patients receiving combination chemotherapy and anti-PD-1 therapy (immunotherapy group) and 244 receiving adjuvant chemotherapy alone (nonimmunotherapy group). Additionally, 422 patients with pN3b from the SEER database (2005 to 2020) were collected as an external validation cohort to determine the optimal cutoff value for the number of lymph nodes examined in the nonimmunotherapy group. The primary endpoints were overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) in the nonimmunotherapy group of the Nanfang Hospital cohort, stratified by whether the number of examined lymph nodes was above or below the ELN optimal cutoff value. These findings were subsequently validated in the SEER cohort.Results:The optimal ELN cutoff value (34 nodes) was determined using X-tile software and by constructing an ELN-HR fitting model with inflection point identification. In the nonimmunotherapy group, patients with ELN >34 exhibited significantly prolonged survival compared to ELN ≤34 (median OS: 25.0 (95%CI:20.5-29.5) to 17.0 (95%CI:12.7-21.3) months, P=0.004; median RFS: 19.0 (95%CI:15.6-22.4) to 13.0 (95%CI:9.5-16.5) months, P=0.048). Multivariate Cox analysis also showed ELN >34 to be an independent protective factor for both OS (HR=0.576, 95%CI: 0.397-0.836) and RFS (HR=0.701, 95%CI: 0.492-0.998). In the SEER cohort, ELN >34 was associated with a 5-month OS extension (19 to 14 months, P=0.065), with multivariate analysis supporting its independent prognostic significance (HR=0.729, 95%CI: 0.580-0.915, P=0.006). Notably, in the immunotherapy group, patients with ELN >34 ( n=30) achieved a median OS of 41 months, but the median OS had not been reached in the ELN ≤34 group ( n=5) (1 death at 48 months). Conclusion:Higher ELN (>34) correlates with improved survival in nonimmunotherapy-treated pN3b gastric cancer patients. However, in pN3b gastric cancer patients treated with immunotherapy, the optimal ELN threshold requires further exploration to determine.

Mannheimia varigena(M.varigena)is a significant pathogen causing bovine respiratory disease.Transferrin binding protein B(TbpB)is a lipoprotein directly exposed to the outer mem-brane of the cell,which is not only involved in the bacterial iron metabolism pathway,but also an important virulence factor.This study aims to lay the groundwork for developing novel subunit vaccines by conducting site-directed mutagenesis on M.varigena TbpB binding-related residues and evaluating their immunogenicity.Based on whole-genome sequencing of a bovine M.varigena i-solate,its iron uptake pathway was predicted.Key amino acid residues of M.varigena TbpB that play a role for binding to bovine transferrin(bTf)was identified by bioinformatics.We constructed two M.varigena TbpB mutants(Y205A and Y258A)and assessed their bTf binding activity and immunogenicity through dot blot assays and mouse immunization studies.Dot blot assays result showed that the Y258A mutation caused TbpB to lose its ability to bind to bTf.Mouse immuniza-tion studies showed that,compared to wild-type TbpB,the mutants of TbpB induced higher levels of specific antibodies.In challenge experiments,mice immunized with mutant TbpB exhibited high-er survival rates.These results demonstrate that site-directed mutagenesis can enhance the immu-nogenicity of TbpB.This study provides a novel approach for developing new subunit vaccines a-gainst M.varigena.