Objective:To investigate the alteration in iodine nutritional status and influence on thyroid function in the elderly aged≥65 years following water source modification in high iodine areas.Methods:Data from Yaoji Town, Xuzhou, Jiangsu(an area with high iodine due to water sources) of the national epidemiological survey on thyroid diseases, iodine nutrition, and diabetes(TIDE study) in 31 provinces and cities in China from 2015 to 2017 were utilized. Additionally, data from the screening, monitoring, and intervention on thyroid diseases(TOPS study) in the elderly(≥65 years) in Shunhe Town, Suqian, Jiangsu(an area with iodine levels exceeding the recommended amount), and Yaoji Town, Xuzhou from May to August 2021, are included. Each subject completed a questionnaire, physical examination, laboratory tests and thyroid ultrasound examinations. A total of 2 717 subjects aged≥65 years were included, including group 1, 258 subjects in TIDE study; Group 2, 1 313 subjects in TOPS Xuzhou area; Group 3, 1 146 subjects in TOPS Suqian area.Results:The urinary iodine concentration(UIC) in group 2 was significantly lower than that in group 1 [(235.16±67.09)μg/L vs (491.58±384.93)μg/L, P<0.001], but no significant difference compared with group 3 [(235.16±67.09) μg/L vs(231.62±66.11) μg/L, P>0.05]. The serum TSH level in group 2 was significantly lower than that in group 1 [(2.92±5.14)μIU/mL vs (4.15±9.19)μIU/mL, P<0.001]. Compared with group 2 and 3, the prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism in the elderly in group 1 was the highest(22.48% vs 10.13% and 8.12%, P<0.001). TSH levels were linearly correlated with age in both excessive iodine and more than adequate iodine nutrition areas. TSH level was gradually increased with age. Conclusion:The alteration in TSH levels among the elderly is notably linked to both aging and iodine status. The prevalence of hypothyroidism in the elderly can be significantly reduced when the iodine nutrition status of the elderly returns to normal.

Objective:To compare the short-term efficacy and the safety of microwave ablation (MWA) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in the treatment of benign thyroid nodules (BTNs).Methods:This prospective randomized controlled trial, performed from December 2019 to September 2021, included 36 patients with solid or predominantly solid BTNs who met the eligibility criteria and provided written informed consent at the Nanjing sub-center (Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine). Patients were assigned to either the MWA group or the RFA group (18 patients in each group) at a ratio of 1∶1 using a block randomization design and allocation concealment using sealed envelope randomization. The independent-sample t-test and χ2 test were used to compare the volume reduction rates (VRRs), effective rates (VRRs≥50%), cosmetic scores, and complication rates at 1, 3, and 6 months after treatment between the two groups. Results:The clinical characteristics of the two groups of patients were comparable. After ablation, the nodule volume was significantly reduced in both groups. At 1, 3, and 6 months, there was no significant difference in the volume between the two groups (all P>0.05). At 3 months, the RFA group had a larger VRRs than that in the MWA group (62.08%±12.46% vs. 46.90%±23.16%, t=-2.45, P=0.021). However, at 1 and 6 months, no statistical significance was observed (both P>0.05). No significant difference was observed in the effective rates at the last follow-up (14/18 vs. 18/18, P=0.104). However, the RFA group had a lower cosmetic score than that in the MWA group (1.78±0.43 vs. 2.17±0.51, t=-2.47, P=0.019). There was no statistically significant difference in the complication rates between the two groups (all P>0.05). Conclusions:Both MWA and RFA were effective and safe treatments for BTNs, with no significant differences in short-term efficacy and safety. In addition, the RFA group showed slightly more favorable outcomes than the MWA group in terms of cosmetic improvement.

Objective:To investigate the factors influencing fall risk scores in elderly individuals.Methods:A total of 4 419 individuals were randomly selected using the cluster sampling method from Beijing, Nanning(Guangxi), and Yinchuan(Ningxia).Data on demographic characteristics and fall-related incidents were gathered and analyzed for their correlation with fall risk scores.Results:The fall risk score showed significant associations with various factors, such as the history of falls within one year( β=-3.607, 95% CI: -3.881 to -3.332), care methods( β=2.442, 95% CI: 2.226 to 2.658), exercise( β=0.714, 95% CI: 0.443 to 0.986), retirement( β=-0.585, 95% CI: -0.819 to -0.351), age( β=0.173, 95% CI: 0.159 to 0.187), and use of walking aids( β=-3.737, 95% CI: -4.054 to -3.421). Conclusions:Fall risk scores in older adults are influenced by a variety of factors.Factors such as no history of falls within the past year, living independently, engaging in physical activity, and being employed may contribute to lower fall risk scores in older adults.

Objective:To observe the effects of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitor combined with rosuvastatin on lipid levels and short-term prognosis in patients with acute ischemic stroke, and to explore the optimal therapeutic regimen in terms of efficacy and safety, so as to provide a basis for clinical practice.Methods:Consecutive patients with acute cerebral infarction within 72 hours of onset and lipids≥2.6 mmol/L admitted to Xuzhou Central Hospital from April 2022 to March 2023 were included in the study, and the randomized numeric table method was used to divide them into 3 groups of different treatment regimens, group A (rosuvastatin 20 mg, once a day), group B (rosuvastatin 10 mg, once a day+alirocumab 75 mg, once 2 weeks) and group C (rosuvastatin 20 mg, once a day+alirocumab 75 mg, once 2 weeks). General baseline data, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score, modified Rankin Scale score on day 90 and the occurrence of adverse events and serious adverse events were collected from the 3 groups. The primary efficacy outcome was the degree of reduction in low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) from baseline on day 90. The secondary efficacy outcomes were recurrence rate and time to recurrence in stroke patients within 90 days,etc. The primary safety outcome was hepatic insufficiency (transaminase elevation≥3 times normal) within 90 days. The secondary safety outcomes were death due to stroke within 90 days and fatal and nonfatal myocardial infarction.Results:A total of 501 patients were included, 166 patients in group A, 167 patients in group B, and 168 patients in group C. The differences in the baseline data of the 3 groups were not statistically significant (all P>0.05). LDL-C was reduced from baseline on day 90 in groups A, B, and C, with the differences of -1.5 (-1.7, -1.4) mmol/L, -2.2 (-2.5, -2.1) mmol/L and -2.2 (-2.6, -2.1) mmol/L, respectively, with statistically significant differences among the 3 groups ( H=1.497, P<0.001); the differences between the group A and group B, and between the group A and group C, were statistically significant ( Z=-11.125, P=0.006; Z=-9.475, P=0.012), while the difference between the group B and group C was not statistically significant ( Z=1.650, P=0.946). The numbers of 90-day stroke recurrence cases (recurrence rate) in patients in the groups A, B, and C were 12 (7.2%), 4 (2.4%), and 5 (3.0%), respectively, without statistically significant difference among the 3 groups ( χ 2=5.773, P>0.05); the recurrence time of patients in the groups A, B and C was (43.0±7.4) d, (66.0±8.3) d and (62.2±5.6) d, respectively, and the differences among the 3 groups were statistically significant ( F=14.096, P=0.001). Compared with the group A, patients in the groups B and C had a prolonged time to stroke recurrence within 90 days ( Z=-3.108, P=0.002; Z=-2.871, P=0.004), whereas the difference in the time to stroke recurrence within 90 days between patients in the groups B and C was not statistically significant ( Z=0.397, P=0.692). The time to stroke recurrence within 90 days was positively correlated with the level of LDL-C on day 90 ( β=0.850, P=0.031). Ten patients (6.0%) in the group A developed hepatic insufficiency, 1 patient (0.6%) in the group B, and 9 patients (5.4%) in the group C. The differences among the 3 groups were statistically significant (χ 2=7.622, P=0.022); and the difference between the group B and group C was statistically significant ( P=0.011). The differences of secondary safety endpoints, death due to stroke within 90 days [1 case (0.6%) in the group A, 0 case (0) in the group B, and 1 case (0.6%) in the group C], fatal and nonfatal myocardial infarction within 90 days [3 cases (1.8%) in the group A, 1 case (0.6%) in the group B, and 1 case (0.6%) in the group C], were not statistically significant among the 3 groups (all P>0.05). Conclusions:In patients with acute ischemic stroke, PCSK9 inhibitor combined with rosuvastatin (both medium and high doses) significantly reduced LDL-C levels compared with baseline, and at the same time prolonged the time to stroke recurrence, reduced adverse effects such as hepatic insufficiency, and had a high degree of safety. PCSK9 inhibitor combined with medium-dose rosuvastatin had a better effect.

Objective:To explore the effects of traditional Chinese medicine nursing protocols for type 2 diabetes mellitus on the level of frailty and self-management in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, so as to provide new ideas for intervention of diabetic frailty and improvement of self-management.Methods:From January 2021 to June 2021, the 100 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in the department of Endocrinology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine were treated with the traditional Chinese medicine nursing protocols for type 2 diabetes mellitus issued by the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine using the quasi experimental research method. General information questionnaire, Tilburg Frailty Indicator(TFI), Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities (SDSCA), Chinese-Diabetes Management Self-Efficacy Scale(C-DMSES) and the effect evaluation scale of traditional Chinese medicine nursing protocols for diabetes mellitus (type 2 diabetes mellitus) were investigated on 1 to 2 days after admission, at discharge, 3 months after discharge and were analyzed by t test, analysis of variance, SNK test. Results:The TFI scores of patients were (4.90 ± 2.44), (3.89 ± 1.99), (3.43 ± 2.22) points, the SDSCA scores were (41.31 ± 14.30), (57.90 ± 12.73), (52.33 ± 12.71) points, the C-DMSES scores were (128.99 ± 32.18), (154.69 ± 25.43), (141.27 ± 27.86) points, the effect scores of traditional Chinese medicine nursing protocols for type 2 diabetes mellitus were (13.40 ± 6.02), (6.98 ± 5.04), (5.01 ± 3.96) points at 1-2 days after admission, discharge, and 3 months after discharge, there were statistically significant differences among different time periods ( F values were 11.14-72.50, all P<0.05). The fasting blood glucose and 2-hour postprandial blood glucose of patients were (9.28 ± 3.51), (7.16 ± 1.66), (7.24 ± 1.76) mmol/L and (14.93 ± 4.22), (10.28 ± 4.83), (10.30 ± 2.25) mmol/L at 1-2 days after admission, discharge and 3 months after discharge, and the differences were statistically significant ( F = 21.02, 37.55, both P<0.05). Conclusions:The implementation of traditional Chinese medicine nursing protocols for type 2 diabetes mellitus can delay the degree of frailty of type 2 diabetes mellitus, improve the level of self-management of patients, help patients control blood glucose, with good traditional Chinese medicine nursing effect, worthy of clinical application.

Objective:To explore the efficacy and safety of different anti-platelet regimens in the treatment of high-risk non-disabling ischemic cerebrovascular events (HR-NICE) guided by point-of-care testing of CYP2C19 gene. Methods:A single-centre, prospective, randomised, open-label, and blinded endpoint design was uesd in the study. From July 2020 to January 2022, HR-NICE patients were enrolled in the Stroke Green Channel and Department of Neurology of Xuzhou Central Hospital, and all patients were scraped the buccal mucosa for screening for CYP2C19 loss-of-function allele carriers by point-of-care testing . Patients with intermediate metabolism were defined as those who carried 1 loss-of-function allele and patients with poor metabolism were those who carried 2 loss-of-function alleles. This study reduced the test turnaround time to 1 hour by using a fully automated medical polymerase chain reaction analyzer for a point-of-care test of CYP2C19 genotype. CYP2C19 loss-of-function allele carriers were divided according to the random number table method into the conventional treatment group (clopidogrel 75 mg, once a day), the ticagrelor group (ticagrelor 90 mg, twice a day) and the intensive dose group (clopidogrel 150 mg, once a day) separately combined with aspirin (100 mg, once a day) dual antiplatelet for 21 days. Baseline information, Acute Stroke Org 10172 Treatment Trial staging, 90-day modified Rankin Scale score, occurrence of adverse events and severe adverse events were collected for all the 3 groups. The primary efficacy outcome was new stroke within 90 days, and the primary safety outcome was severe or moderate bleeding within 90 days. Results:A total of 716 patients were included: 240 in the conventional treatment group, 240 in the ticagrelor group and 236 in the intensive dose group. There was no statistically significant difference between the 3 groups at baseline (all P>0.05). There were 26 cases (10.8%) with new stroke events in the conventional treatment group, 11 cases (4.6%) in the ticagrelor group and 4 cases (1.7%) in the intensive dose group, with statistically significant differences among the 3 groups (χ 2=19.28, P<0.05), and the differences between the conventional treatment group and the ticagrelor group (χ 2=6.59, P=0.010) and between the conventional treatment group and the intensive dose group (χ 2=16.83, P<0.001) were statistically significant, whereas the difference between the ticagrelor group and the intensive dose group was not statistically significant ( P>0.05). In the 3 groups, there was 1 case (0.4%) of severe bleeding in the conventional treatment group, 6 cases (2.5%) in the ticagrelor group and none in the intensive dose group, which showed statistically significant differences (χ 2=7.23, P<0.05), and there was statistically significant difference between the ticagrelor group and the intensive dose group ( P=0.030). Among the patients with intermediate CYP2C19 metabolism, there were 13 cases (13/158, 8.2%) with 90-day recurrent stroke in the conventional treatment group, 4 cases (4/153, 2.6%) in the ticagrelor group, and 0 case (0/159) in the intensive dose group, with statistically significant difference (χ 2=16.04, P<0.001), and the differences between the intensive dose group and the conventional treatment group were statistically significant (χ 2=13.64, P<0.001), whereas there was no statistically significant difference between the intensive dose group and the ticagrelor group ( P>0.05). In the patients with 90-day recurrent stroke in the intensive dose group, there was 0 case (0/159) with intermediate metabolism and 4 cases (4/77,5.2%) with poor metabolism, with statistically significant differences ( P=0.011), whereas there were no statistically significant differences in the conventional treatment group and the ticagrelor group ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Screening carriers of CYP2C19 loss-of-function alleles by point-of-care testing can quickly and precisely guide the treatment of patients with non-cardiogenic HR-NICE. An intensive clopidogrel dose of 150 mg, once a day combined with aspirin was effective in reducing stroke recurrence with less occurrence of any bleeding and adverse events, and patients with intermediate CYP2C19 metabolism may be the best population to benefit.

In the management of obesity, aside from lifestyle interventions and surgery, pharmacotherapy is the most important choice. In recent years, research on the mechanisms of obesity and weight-loss drugs has been advancing rapidly. Exploring drugs that increase energy expenditure from the perspective of energy balance is beneficial for making clinical decisions based on the mechanisms of drugs and clinical needs in order to treat obesity effectively and improve the quality of life.

Objective:To retrieve, evaluate, and summarize the best evidence for the prevention and management of nipple pain or injury in breastfeeding puerperae, providing evidence-based basis for clinical practice of breastfeeding.Methods:According to the "6S" evidence pyramid model, clinical decisions, guidelines, expert consensus, evidence summaries, and systematic reviews on the prevention and management of nipple pain or injury in breastfeeding puerperae were systematically searched. The search period was from database establishment to March 10, 2023. The research team members independently evaluated the quality of the included article based on the corresponding quality evaluation standards, and combined professional judgment to extract and summarize evidence for the final included article.Results:A total of 15 articles were included, including two clinical decisions, 7 guidelines, and 6 systematic reviews. Finally, 19 best pieces of evidence were summarized, including four themes, namely, assessment of nipple pain or injury, prevention of nipple pain or injury, management of nipple pain or injury, and health education.Conclusions:Obstetrical nurses and midwives should provide standardized nursing for breastfeeding puerperae based on specific clinical scenarios, reduce the incidence of nipple pain or injury in breastfeeding puerperae, and promote puerperae to adhere to breastfeeding.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of short-term very low-calorie restriction(VLCR) on glycemic control in overweight/obese patients with type 2 diabetes, and to explore mechanisms through identifying markers of gut microbiota.Methods:This trial was conducted in 14 adult overweight/obese patients with type 2 diabetes. They received VLCR for 9 days in the hospital(calorie intake 300-600 kcal/d). Before and after VLCR, body weight(BW), waist circumference(WC), blood pressure(BP), and heart rate(HR) were measured, and body mass index(BMI) was calculated according to their height and weight. Fasting blood glucose(FBG), 2 h postprandial blood glucose(2hPBG), fasting insulin(FINS), triglycerides(TG), total cholesterol(TC), high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol(HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol(LDL-C) were determined, and yielded the homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance(HOMA-IR). Additional lab tests such as liver and kidney function and electrolytes were performed. The estimated glomerular filtration rate(eGFR) was calculated to evaluate renal function. All data were analyzed using the SPSS Sample Power software. Feces samples were collected before and after VLCR. Fecal samples were tested for microbial diversity using 16S rDNA technology. Professional software was used to analyze the differences of gut microbiota in feces before and after VLCR.Results:After 9 days of VLCR, BW, BMI, WC, BP, HR, FBG, 2hPBG, FINS, HOMA-IR, alkaline phosphatase, TG, and blood urea nitrogen of 14 overweight/obese patients with type 2 diabetes were significantly reduced( P<0.05). No effect was seen on serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate amino transferase, gamma glutamyl transferase, TC, HDL-C, LDL-C, creatinine, eGFR, uric acid, albumin, calcium, and phosphorus( P>0.05). The gut microbiota diversity did not differ before and after VLCR. The abundance of Bacteroidetes increased significantly, and the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio decreased from 11.79 to 4.20. Between groups analysis showed the abundance of Parabacteroides distasonis increased significantly after VLCR. Conclusion:VLCR can improve body weight and glucose and lipid metabolism in overweight/obese patients with type 2 diabetes, with no serious adverse events. Parabacteroides distasonis may be a marker of VLCR.

Objective:To establish and evaluate a predictive model for recurrence risk of Graves′ disease after antithyroid drugs(ATD) withdrawal.Methods:Among 308 patients with newly onset Graves′ disease taking ATD from 2012 to 2019, 170 patients who completed follow-up were enrolled and divided into relapse and remission groups according to whether hyperthyroidism reoccurred within 2 years after ATD withdrawal to establish the discovery cohort. An internal validation cohort was constructed by repeating the sampling with bootstrap. Cox regression analysis was used to screen risk factors and establish a predictive model, named Graves′ Recurrence Evaluation System(GRES). The differentiation and accuracy of GRES model were evaluated and compared with the GREAT score.Results:Of 170 patients, 90 Graves′ disease cases relapsed within 2 years after ATD withdrawal. According to Cox regression analysis, family history of Graves′ disease, younger age(<30 years), grade Ⅱ-Ⅲ goiter, high level of TRAb(≥13 IU/L), large thyroid volume(≥26.4 cm 3) and low 25(OH) D(<14.7 ng/mL) were included in the predictive model: PI=0.672×family history+ 0.405×age+ 0.491×severity of goiter+ 0.808×TRAb+ 1.423×thyroid volume+ 0.579×25(OH) D. PI≥1.449 was associated with a higher risk of recurrence after drug withdrawal. The GRES model has good prediction in assessing Graves′ disease relapse within 2 years after ATD withdrawal and better than GREAT score. Conclusion:GRES model can be used to evaluate the recurrence risk within 2 years for patients with newly onset Graves′ disease after ATD withdrawal, and facilitate clinicians to reasonably select treatment modalities in order to improve the remission rate.