OBJECTIVE: To explore clinical characteristics, lesion sites and correlation differences of different types of diabetic foot gangrene, and to provide evidence-based basis for clinical classification of diabetic foot gangrene. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 266 patients with newly diagnosed diabetic foot gangrene who were admitted from January 2018 to December 2018, including 183 males and 83 females, aged from 35 to 92 years old with an average of (69.55±10.84) years old, and they were divided into wet gangrene group and dry gangrene group according to the different natures of gangrene. There were 139 patients in wet gangrene group, including 98 males and 41 females, aged from 35 to 90 years old with an average of (68.95±10.93) years old. There were 127 patients in dry gangrene group, including 85 males and 42 females, aged from 38 to 92 years old with an average of (70.21±10.75) years old. Body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), body temperature, skin temperature difference between the affected and healthy sides of the lower extremities, and Wagner grade between two groups were recorded to evaluate symptoms and signs. The white blood cell count (WBC), neutrophil percentage (NEUT%), and C-reactive protein (C-reactive protein), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), procalcitonin (PCT), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in peripheral blood between two groups were detected and compared to evaluate the infection status;the severity of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) was evaluated by using Toronto Clinical Scoring System (TCSS);the degree of pain in patients with diabetic foot gangrene was evaluated by numerical rating scale (NRS); ankle-brachial index (ABI) and popliteal artery blood flow velocity were used to evaluate the degree of arterial lesions. Spearman correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlations between gangrene TCSS, ABI and age, BMI, WHR, body temperature, calf skin temperature difference, WBC, NEUT%, CRP, ESR, PCT, IL-6, NRS, and Wagner classification indicators. RESULTS: The body temperature, skin temperature difference between the affected and healthy sides of the lower extremities, Wagner grade, WBC, NEUT%, CRP, ESR, PCT, IL-6, TCSS score, ABI, and popliteal artery blood flow velocity in wet gangrene group were higher than those in dry gangrene group (P<0.01), and BMI, WHR, and NRS score in dry gangrene group were higher than those in wet gangrene group;the differences were all statistically significant (P<0.01). The results of Spearman correlation analysis showed TCSS score of gangrene patients was correlated with body temperature (r=0.214), calf skin temperature difference (r=0.364), WBC (r=0.240), NEUT% (r=0.291), CRP (r=0.347), ESR (r=0.167), PCT (r=0.241), IL-6 (r=0.316), and popliteal fossa arterial blood flow velocity (r=0.261) and Wagner grade (r=0.273) were positively correlated, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.01). ABI was negatively correlated with age (r=-0.183), BMI (r=-0.252), WHR (r=-0.288), and NRS score (r=-0.354), and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.01). CONCLUSION Diabetic foot gangrene is an extremely difficult and critical disease. Wet gangrene has a significant synergic effect with infection and neuropathy, while dry gangrene is closely related to vascular occlusion. The main contradiction of gangrene could be revealed through blood vessels, nerves and infection, providing evidence-based basis for the selection of debridement timing, anti-infection strategies and revascularization, with the aim of reducing the risk of amputation.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Aged ; Middle Aged ; Diabetic Foot/diagnosis* ; Aged, 80 and over ; Adult ; Retrospective Studies ; Gangrene/physiopathology* ; C-Reactive Protein

Objective To explore the difference in efficacy of metoprolol versus ivabradine in the treatment of postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome(POTS)in the elderly after COVID-19 infection.Methods A total of 110 patients diagnosed with POTS at our department from Decem-ber 1,2022 to January 31,2023 were included.According to their drug regimen,they were divided into metoprolol group(62 patients)and ivabradine group(48 patients).On the 28th day of out-patient follow-up,the resting heart rate,heart rate of 10 min of standing,symptom disappearance rate,hospitalization rate,and mortality rate were compared between the two groups.Results On the 28th day of treatment,the resting heart rate and postural heart rate for 10 min were decreased in both groups when compared with the levels at initial diagnosis(P＜0.01).And there were no significant differences in the two types of heart rate between the two groups on the 28th day(71.0±7.0 vs 72.1±7.0,P=0.401;76.5±7.2 vs 77.4±7.6,P=0.573).No obvious differences were observed between the two groups in symptom disappearance rate,hospitalization rate,or mortality rate(88.7％vs 89.6％,3.2％vs2.1％,0％vs 0％,P＞0.05).Conclusion Metoprolol and ivabradine can effectively treat POTS in the elderly patients after COVID-19 infection.

Aim To investigate the role of metabolites of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) in promoting the transdifferentiation of pancreatic α cells to β cells. Methods Male C57BL/6J mice were injected intraperitoneally with 60 mg/kg streptozocin (STZ) for five consecutive days to establish a type 1 diabetes (T1DM) mouse model. After two weeks, they were randomly divided into model groups and 97% EPA diet intervention group, 75% fish oil (50% EPA +25% DHA) diet intervention group, and random blood glucose was detected every week; after the model expired, the regeneration of pancreatic β cells in mouse pancreas was observed by immunofluorescence staining. The islets of mice (obtained by crossing GCG

Objectives To explore the feasibility of temporary veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation(VV-ECMO)technology for early on-site treatment,through establishing an animal model of severe blast lung injury in goats by free-field chemical explosion experiments in high-altitude regions.Methods A total of 16 adult goats were selected,and divided into the control group and the treatment group according to the random number table method,with 8 goats in each group.A model of severe blast lung injury was established at an altitude of 4 600 meters above sea level,then the goats in the control group were given respiratory support and the goats in the treatment group were given temporary VV-ECMO treatment.The survival status of the goats 15 minutes after injury was recorded,the vital signs[including body temperature,respiration rate,heart rate,and mean arterial pressure(MAP)]and arterial blood gas analysis indicators[including pH,arterial partial pressure of oxygen(PO2),arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide(PCO2),oxygen saturation(SaO2),lactate(LAC),calcium(Ca2+),hematocrit(HCT),and hemoglobin(Hb)]before injury and 1 hour,2 hours,3 hours after injury were compared in the two groups.The post-mortem examination was performed on all dead goats and sacrificed goats after treatment,the severity of lung injury was assessed by organ injury scaling(OIS),and the lung injury score was evaluated by abbreviated injury scale(AIS).The wet-to-dry weight ratio(W/D)and lung coefficient were calculated.Results Within 15 minutes after the explosion,4 goats in the control group died and 4 goats survived;and 5 goats in the treatment group died and 3 goats survived.There was no statistically significant difference in the body temperature,respiration rate,heart rate,or MAP before and after injury between the two groups(P>0.05).The PaO2 and SaO2 1 hour,2 hours,and 3 hours after injury in the treatment group were superior than those in the control group(P<0.05),the Ca2+ 2 hours after injury was significantly higher than that in the control group(P<0.05),and there was no statistically significant difference in the pH,PCO2,LAC,HCT or Hb at different time points after injury between the two groups(P>0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in the OIS,AIS or lung coefficient between the two groups(P>0.05),but the W/D of the lung tissue in the control group was lower than that in the treatment group(P<0.05).Conclusion We have established a novel,feasible,and stable treatment effect temporary VV-ECMO animal treatment strategy for the first time in the high-altitude regions,which can provide animal experiment evidence for the early on-site VV-ECMO treatment of severe blast lung injury in high-altitude regions.

Plague,caused by Yersinia pestis,is a zoonotic disease that infects both humans and animals.Y.pestis not only encodes various virulence factors that can disrupt host immune signaling but also can modify its lipopolysaccharide(LPS)struc-ture,thereby evading host immune surveillance and potently suppressing the host's immune response,in an important molecu-lar mechanism underlying its high pathogenicity.The LPS of Y.pestis lacks an O antigen,and its lipid A structure possesses a unique temperature transition regulatory mechanism.At different temperatures,Y.pestis forms lipid A with different numbers of acyl side chains,which plays a pivotal role in the evasion of host innate immune recognition and clearance.Here,we present a comprehensive review of research progress in the biosynthetic regulation,structural variation,and immune escape mechanism of Y.pestis LPS,to provide a reference for the study of the molecular mechanisms of pathogens using LPS structural modifica-tions to elude host innate immune defenses.

Objective:To investigate the effect of different isoforms of RBBP6 on the proliferation of multiple myeloma (MM) cells after alternative splicing mediated by splicing factor SRSF1. Methods:RT-PCR was used to detect the expression levels of RBBP6 mRNA splicing isoforms regulated by SRSF1. The GEO database was used to analyze the changes of RBBP6 isoform 1 in the progression of plasma cell disease,and survival analysis was used to evaluate the value of this gene in the prognosis of MM patients. In vitro loss-of-function and gain-of-function experiments were conducted by transfecting control siRNA,RBBP6 isoform 1 siRNA,empty vector (EV),OE-RBBP6 isoform 3 into MM.1S cells,then the expression levels of RBBP6 isoform 1 and RBBP6 isoform 3 were detected by real-time PCR and Western blot. CCK-8 assay was performed to detect the cell proliferation ability. Results:Knockdown of SRSF1 increased the expression of RBBP6 isoform 3 and decreased the expression of RBBP6 isoform 1. RBBP6 isoform 1 was closely related to the progression of plasma cell disease,and the high expression of RBBP6 isoform 1 was associated with poor prognosis in patients with MM. Downregulation of RBBP6 isoform 1 expression and overexpression of RBBP6 isoform 3 both reduced the proliferation ability of MM cells. And after downregulating the expression of RBBP6 isoform 1,the level of p53 protein in MM cells was significantly increased (P<0.05). Conclusion:In MM,splicing factor SRSF1 can cause alternative splicing abnormalities in RBBP6. The RBBP6 isoform 1 promotes MM cell proliferation,while the RBBP6 isoform 3 inhibits MM cell proliferation,and the mechanism may be related to regulating the p53 pathway.

Objective To investigate the long-term effect of frailty on heart failure with reduced ejection fraction(HFrEF)in elderly patients.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 245 HFrEF patients aged ≥75 years admitted to our hospital from October 2017 to October 2020 due to acute exacerbation of chronic heart failure(HF).Based on their clinical frailty scale(CFS)score,they were divided into frailty group(1-4,135 cases)and non-frailty group(5-9,110 cases).Their general clinical data,clinical medication,and prognosis were compared between the two groups,and the influencing factors for frailty and death were analyzed.Results Faster heart rate,higher NT-proBNP level,and larger proportions of male,diabetes,coronary heart disease,≥5 chronic diseases,LVEF ≤35％,anemia and increased troponin I level,while lower BMI,eGFR and score of activity of daily living scale were observed in the frailty group than the non-frailty group(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).The frail group had significantly lower utilization rates of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors(ACEI),angiotensin receptor blockers(ARB),angiotensin receptor enkephalin inhibitors(ARNI)β receptor blockers,and sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors than the non-frailty group(P＜0.01).Additionally,the frailty group exhibited a higher incidence of emergency room visits/readmissions within 3 months and 2-year mortality than the non-frailty group(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).Binary logistic regression analysis revealed that ≥5 chronic diseases,LVEF ≤ 35％,BMI,and GFR were independent risk factors for frailty(OR=0.167,95％CI:0.064-0.453,P=0.000;OR=0.306,95％CI:0.160-0.586,P=0.000;OR=0.868,95％CI:0.786-0.958,P=0.005;OR=0.966,95％CI:0.943-0.991,P=0.007),while ≥5 chronic disea-ses and frailty were independent risk factors for death in HF patients(P＜0.05).Conclusion The incidence of frailty is high in elderly HF patients with HFrEF.They have poor compliance to guideline directed drug therapy(GDMT).Frailty is an independent risk factor for long-term mor-tality in the patients.

Objective To investigate the efficacy of utilizing Kaneka dual lumen microcatheter in combination with anchored balloon in treatment of bifurcation lesions in elderly patients with ra-dial artery 6 F catheter.Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on 168 patients(≥60 years)receiving bifurcation treatment with a 6 F catheter via the radial artery at the Heart Center of our hospital from January 2020 to January 2023.According to application of dual lumen micro-catheters and anchoring balloon technology or not,they were assigned into an anchoring group(81 cases old)and a control group(87 cases).A comparison was made between the two groups in terms of features of coronary artery disease,operation procedure,and MACE.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was employed.Results Lower incidence of dissection,shorter operation time,less X-ray exposure dose,and decreased contrast agent dosage were observed in the anchoring group when compared with the control group(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).There was no statistical differ-ence in the MACE incidence between the two groups(4.9％vs 8.0％,P＞0.05).The side branch dissection and final TIMI grade＜3 of side branch flow were independent risk factors for postop-erative MACE in elderly patients with bifurcation lesions after surgery(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).Conclusion Kaneka dual lumen microcatheter combined with anchored balloon technology via radial artery 6 F catheter has the advantages in effectively shorting operation time,minimizing X-ray exposure,reducing contrast agent usage,and diminishing the incidence of side branch dis-section in treatment of bifurcation lesions in elderly patients undergoing surgical treatment.

Objective: To explore the family rehabilitation model for children with scar contracture after hand burns and observe its efficacy. Methods: A retrospective non-randomized controlled study was conducted. From March 2020 to March 2021, 30 children with scar contracture after deep partial-thickness to full-thickness burns of hands, who met the inclusion criteria, were hospitalized in the Burn Center of PLA of the First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University. According to the rehabilitation model adopted, 18 children (23 affected hands) were included in a group mainly treated by family rehabilitation (hereinafter referred to as family rehabilitation group), and 12 children (15 affected hands) were included in another group mainly treated by hospital rehabilitation (hereinafter referred to as hospital rehabilitation group). In the former group, there were 11 males and 7 females, aged (4.8±2.1) years, who began rehabilitation treatment (3.1±0.8) d after wound healing; in the latter group, there were 7 males and 5 females, aged (4.6±2.1) years, who began rehabilitation treatment (2.8±0.7) d after wound healing. The children in hospital rehabilitation group mainly received active and passive rehabilitation training in the hospital, supplemented by independent rehabilitation training after returning home; after 1-2 weeks of active and passive rehabilitation training in the hospital, the children in family rehabilitation group received active and passive rehabilitation training at home under the guidance of rehabilitation therapists through WeChat platform. Both groups of children were treated for 6 months. During the treatment, they wore pressure gloves and used hand flexion training belts and finger splitting braces. Before treatment and after 6 months of treatment, the modified Vancouver scar scale, the total active movement of the hand method, and Carroll quantitative test of upper extremity function were used to score/rate the scar of the affected hand (with the difference of scar score between before treatment and after treatment being calculated), the joint range of motion (with excellent and good ratio being calculated), and the function of the affected limb, respectively. Data were statistically analyzed with independent sample t test, equivalence test, Fisher's exact probability test, and Mann-Whitney U test. Results: The differences of scar scores of the affected hands of children in family rehabilitation group and hospital rehabilitation group between after 6 months of treatment and those before treatment were 3.0 (2.0, 7.0) and 3.0 (2.0, 8.0) respectively (with 95% confidence interval of 2.37-5.38 and 1.95-5.91). The 95% confidence interval of the difference between the differences of the two groups was -2.43-2.21, which was within the equivalent boundary value of -3-3 (P<0.05). The excellent and good ratios of joint range of motion of the affected hand of children in family rehabilitation group and hospital rehabilitation group were 3/23 and 2/15 respectively before treatment, and 15/23 and 12/15 respectively after 6 months of treatment. The ratings of joint range of motion of the affected hand of children in family rehabilitation group and hospital rehabilitation group after 6 months of treatment were significantly higher than those before treatment (with Z values of 3.58 and 2.30, respectively, P<0.05), but the ratings of joint range of motion of the affected hand between the two groups were similar before treatment and after 6 months of treatment (with Z values of 0.39 and 0.55, respectively, P>0.05). The functional ratings of the affected limbs of children in family rehabilitation group and hospital rehabilitation group after 6 months of treatment were significantly higher than those before treatment (with Z values of 3.98 and 3.51, respectively, P<0.05), but the functional ratings of the affected limbs between the two groups were similar before treatment and after 6 months of treatment (with Z values of 1.27 and 0.38, respectively, P>0.05). Conclusions: The WeChat platform assisted rehabilitation treatment with mainly family rehabilitation, combined with hand flexion and extension brace can effectively reduce the scarring after children's hand burns, improve the joint range of motion of the affected hands, and promote the recovery of affected limb function. The effect is similar to that of hospital-based rehabilitation providing an optional rehabilitation, treatment method for children who cannot continue to receive treatment in hospital.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Child ; Cicatrix/therapy* ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Wound Healing ; Hand Injuries/rehabilitation* ; Wrist Injuries ; Contracture/etiology* ; Burns/complications*

Objective: To investigate the association between gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and preterm birth subtypes. Methods: Based on the cohort of pregnant women in Anqing Prefectural Hospital, the pregnant women who received prenatal screening in the first or second trimesters were recruited into baseline cohorts; and followed up for them was conducted until delivery, and the information about their pregnancy status and outcomes were obtained through electronic medical record system and questionnaire surveys. The log-binomial regression model was used to explore the association between GDM and preterm birth [iatrogenic preterm birth, spontaneous preterm birth (preterm premature rupture of membranes and preterm labor)]. For multiple confounding factors, the propensity score correction model was used to compute the adjusted association. Results: Among the 2 031 pregnant women with a singleton delivery, the incidence of GDM and preterm birth were 10.0% (204 cases) and 4.4% (90 cases) respectively. The proportions of iatrogenic preterm birth and spontaneous preterm birth in the GDM group (n=204) were 1.5% and 5.9% respectively, while the proportions in non-GDM group (n=1 827) were 0.9% and 3.2% respectively, and the difference in the proportion of spontaneous preterm birth between the two groups was significant (P=0.048). Subtypes of spontaneous preterm were further analyzed, and the results showed that the proportions of preterm premature rupture of membranes and preterm labor in the GDM group were 4.9% and 1.0% respectively, while the proportions in the non-GDM group were 2.1% and 1.1% respectively. It showed that the risk of preterm premature rupture of membranes in GDM pregnant women was 2.34 times (aRR=2.34, 95%CI: 1.16-4.69) higher than that in non-GDM pregnant women. Conclusions: Our results showed that GDM might increase the risk of preterm premature rupture of membranes. No significant increase in the proportion of preterm labor in pregnant women with GDM was found.
Infant, Newborn ; Female ; Pregnancy ; Humans ; Premature Birth ; Diabetes, Gestational ; Obstetric Labor, Premature ; Hospitals ; Iatrogenic Disease