Background Long-term exposure to ambient fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) may increase the risk of diabetes, and a healthy diet can effectively control fasting blood glucose levels. However, it is unclear whether dietary factors have a moderating effect on the risk of diabetes associated with atmospheric PM_2.5 exposure. Objective To investigate the association between long-term exposure to PM_2.5 and diabetes in rural areas of Ningxia, and potential interaction of long-term exposure to atmospheric PM_2.5 and diet on diabetes. Methods The study subjects were selected from the baseline survey data of the China Northwest Cohort-Ningxia (CNC-NX) , a natural population cohort. A total of 13917 subjects were included, excluding participants with missing covariate information. We utilized the annual average ambient PM_2.5 concentration from 2014 to 2018 as the long-term exposure level. Logistic regression and multiple linear regression were employed to analyze the associations of long-term atmospheric PM_2.5 exposure with diabetes and fasting blood glucose levels. Stratification by frequency of vegetable consumption, frequency of fruit consumption, and salty taste was used to examine moderating effects on the diabetes risk associated with atmospheric PM_2.5 exposure. Results The mean age of the 13917 subjects was (56.8±10.0) years, and the prevalence of diabetes was 9.8%. Between 2014 and 2018, the average annual concentration of PM_2.5 was (38.10±4.67) μg·m⁻³. The risk (OR) of diabetes was 1.018 (95%CI: 1.005, 1.032) and the fasting blood glucose was increased by 0.011 (95%CI: 0.004, 0.017) mmol·L⁻¹ for each 1 μg·m⁻³ increase in PM_2.5 concentration. Compared to those who consumed vegetables < 1 time per week, individuals who consume vegetables 1-3 times per week and ≥4 times per week had a reduced risk of developing diabetes by 27.1% (OR=0.729, 95%CI: 0.594, 0.893) and 16.8% (OR=0.832, 95%CI: 0.715, 0.971) respectively. Similarly, when compared to those who consumed fruits <1 time per week, individuals who consumed fruits 1-3 times per week and ≥4 times per week exhibited a reduced risk of diabetes by 16.4% (OR=0.836, 95%CI: 0.702, 0.998) and 18.2% (OR=0.818, 95%CI: 0.700, 0.959) respectively. Fasting blood glucose decreased by 0.202 (95%CI: -0.304, -0.101) mmol·L⁻¹ in participants who ate vegetables 1-3 times per week. The effect of salty taste on diabetes and fasting blood glucose was not significant. The results of stratified analysis by dietary factors and PM_2.5 concentration showed that the risks of diabetes were increased in the low PM_2.5 pollution-low vegetable intake frequency group and the high PM_2.5 pollution-low vegetable intake frequency group compared with the low PM_2.5 pollution-high vegetable intake frequency group, with OR values of 3.987 (95%CI: 2.943, 5.371) and 1.433 (95%CI: 1.143, 1.796) respectively. The risk of diabetes was 50.1% higher in participants with high PM_2.5 pollution and low fruit intake frequency than in participants with low PM_2.5 pollution and high fruit intake frequency (OR=1.501, 95%CI: 1.171, 1.926). No interaction was found between salty taste and PM_2.5 on diabetes. Conclusion Long-term exposure to ambient PM_2.5 is associated with an increased fasting blood glucose and an elevated risk of diabetes in rural Ningxia population. Increasing the frequency of weekly consumption of vegetables or fruits may have a certain protective effect against diabetes occurrence, as well as a moderating effect on diabetes and fasting blood glucose levels associated with long-term exposure to atmospheric PM_2.5.

Background The impact of atmospheric fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) and ozone (O₃) on the mortality of circulatory system diseases cannot be ignored. However, whether the interaction between PM_2.5 and O₃ can affect population health is rarely reported and requires study. Objective To investigate the individual and interactive impacts of atmospheric PM_2.5 and O₃ on the mortality of circulatory system diseases in the population of Ningxia region. Methods The data of 119647 deaths due to circulatory system diseases, daily average concentrations of atmospheric pollutants, and meteorological data in Ningxia from 2013 to 2020 were retrieved. PM_2.5 was divided into low, medium, and high concentrations according to the primary and secondary national limits (35 and 75 μg·m⁻³) of the Ambient air quality standards. Similarly, O₃ was divided into low, medium, and high concentrations according to the national limits (100 and 160 μg·m⁻³). Using a generalized additive mixed model based on quasi Poisson distribution, the impacts of atmospheric PM_2.5 and O₃ as well as their interaction on the mortality of circulatory system diseases were analyzed using the population data of Ningxia region. Results During the target period, males and the ≥ 65 year group accounted for larger proportions of deaths due to circulatory system diseases (55.47% and 79.87% respectively). The daily average concentration of PM_2.5 (40.25 μg·m⁻³) exceeded the national primary limit. In the single pollution model, the highest cumulative lag effects for mortality from circulatory system diseases were PM_2.5 exposure over previous 1 d (lag01) and O₃ exposure for previous 2 d (lag02), and their excess risk (ER) values were 1.03% (95%CI: 0.67%, 1.40%) and 1.02% (95%CI: 0.57%, 1.50%), respectively. The results of concentration stratification analysis showed that the most significant risks of death from circulatory system diseases [ER (95%CI): 1.12% (0.32%, 1.92%) and 0.95% (0.13%, 1.79%) respectively] were found at medium PM_2.5 and O₃ concentrations. The interaction analysis revealed that under, a synergistic effect on the risk of death from circulatory system diseases was identified (relative excess risk due to interaction=3.08%, attributable proportion of interaction=2.90%, synergy index=1.89) when considering the coexistence of PM_2.5 and O₃ above the primary limit. As the concentrations of PM_2.5 and O₃ increased, the synergistic effect increased the risk of death from circulatory system diseases in the general population, men, women, and the ≥ 65 years group. Conclusion Both atmospheric PM_2.5 and O₃ can increase the risk of death from circulatory system diseases, and the two pollutants have a synergistic effect on the risk of death from circulatory system diseases.

BACKGROUND:With the increase of patients with cubital tunnel syndrome,ulnar groove plasty does not affect the normal anatomical structure and distribution of the ulnar nerve,which is one of the main surgical procedures for the treatment of cubital tunnel syndrome.3D printing combined with ulnar groove plasty can more accurately position the expansion depth and width of the ulnar groove to avoid some surgical complications. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of 3D printing technology combined with ulnar groove plasty on nerve electrophysiology and prognosis in patients with cubital tunnel syndrome. METHODS:A total of 70 patients with moderate and severe cubital tunnel syndrome who were treated in Cangzhou Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Hospital from March 2020 to March 2022 were selected as the study subjects.They were divided into two groups,with 35 cases in each group.The control group underwent traditional ulnar groove plasty.The observation group underwent 3D printing technology combined with ulnar groove plasty.The patients were followed up for 3 months.The clinical efficacy,latency,amplitude of compound muscle action potential of abductor pollicis brevis of the affected limb and ulnar nerve motor conduction velocity,grip strength on the affected side,pinch strength of the middle and thumb fingers,S-W monofilament of the little finger,two-point discrimination of the little finger,and Disabilities of the Arm,Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire score were compared between the two groups. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Compared with the control group(74%),the excellent and good rate was significantly higher in the observation group(91%)(P<0.05).(2)Compared with pre-treatment,the latency of compound muscle action potential of abductor pollicis brevis of affected limb was significantly shorter and the wave amplitude and ulnar nerve motor conduction velocity were significantly higher in the two groups after treatment.The latency was significantly shorter and the wave amplitude and ulnar nerve motor conduction velocity were significantly higher in the observation group than those in the control group(P<0.05).(3)Compared with pre-treatment,the grip strength,middle finger and thumb pinch strength of the affected side,S-W monofilament of the little finger and two-point discrimination of the little finger were significantly decreased in the two groups after treatment.The grip strength,middle finger and thumb pinch strength on the affected side were greater,S-W monofilament of the little finger and two-point discrimination of the little finger were significantly smaller in the observation group than those in the control group(P<0.05).(4)Compared with pre-treatment,the Disabilities of the Arm,Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire scores of the two groups were significantly reduced after treatment,and the Disabilities of the Arm,Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire scores of the observation group were significantly lower than those of the control group(P<0.05).(5)It is concluded that 3D printing technology combined with ulnar groove plasty in the treatment of cubital tunnel syndrome can effectively improve its clinical efficacy,promote the neurophysiological recovery of patients,and enhance the function of fingers and upper limbs,which has high clinical application value.

Objective To assess effect of ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane block(ESPB)combined with patient controlled intravenous analgesia(PCIA)on postoperative analgesia after cesarean section.Methods A total of 120 full-term singleton pregnant women who underwent cesarean section under spinal anesthesia at Jiaxing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital from May 2022 to August 2023 were selected.Participants were randomly divided into three groups using a random number table:Group E(ESPB combined with PCIA),group T[transversus abdominis plane(TAP)block combined with PCIA],and control group(PCIA alone),with 40 women in each group.Visual analogue scale(VAS)and Bruggrmann comfort scale(BCS)scores during rest and coughing were recorded at 4h,8h,12h,24h,and 48h postoperatively.Number of effective PCIA presses,total sufentanil dosage,proportion of rescue analgesia and maternal satisfaction were also documented within 48h.Additionally,adverse reactions and neonatal outcomes were observed within the same 48h period.Results Postoperatively,VAS scores for rest and coughing in group E at 8h,12h,24h were significantly lower than those in group T,those in two groups were lower than those in control group(P＜0.05).Postoperatively at 8h,12h,and 24h,BCS scores in group E were significantly higher than those in group T,with both higher than those in control group(P＜0.05).Within 48h after surgery,the number of effective PCIA presses,proportion of rescue analgesia and total sufentanil dosage in group E were lower than those in group T,both lower than those in control(P＜0.05).Moreover,maternal satisfaction score in group E was significantly higher than that in group T,that in two groups was significantly higher than that in control group(P＜0.05).Within 48h after surgery,there were no significant differences in adverse reactions or neonatal outcomes among the three groups(P＞0.05).Conclusion Ultrasound-guided ESPB combined with PCIA outperforms TAP block combined with PCIA,with reducing analgesic dose and enhancing maternal satisfaction and comfort.

OBJECTIVE To explore the effects and potential mechanism of asperuloside （ASP） on colonic pathological injury and inflammatory response in rats with ulcerative colitis （UC） based on the stimulator of interferon genes （STING）/TANK binding kinase 1 （TBK1）/interferon regulatory factor 3 （IRF3） signaling pathway. METHODS A UC rat model was established by intrarectal injection of trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid and ethanol. The successfully modeled rats were allocated to model group， low- dose ASP group （17.5 mg/kg）， high-dose ASP group （35 mg/kg）， and high-dose ASP+STING activator ADU-S100 group （35 mg/kg ASP+20 mg/kg ADU-S100）， with 16 rats in each group. Another 16 healthy rats were selected as control group， by intrarectally injecting with normal saline. The rats in each group were given the corresponding drug solutions or normal saline by gavage or/and intraperitoneal injection once a day for 14 consecutive days. Twenty-four hours after the last administration， the disease activity index （DAI） and colonic mucosal damage index （CMDI） were employed to assess the severity of UC and colonic mucosal damage in each group. Colonic tissue pathological changes were observed， and histopathological scores were recorded. Apoptosis in colonic tissue， levels of inflammatory cytokines [tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， interferon-β （IFN-β）， interleukin-4 （IL-4）， IL-10]， and expressions of pathway-related proteins [STING， TBK1， IRF3， nuclear factor-κB p65 （NF-κB p65）] were detected. RESULTS Compared with the control group， the model group showed severe destruction of colonic mucosa and glandular structure， mucosal epithelial erosion， crypt loss， marked inflammatory cell infiltration； it also demonstrated significant increase in DAI score， CMDI score， colonic histopathological score， apoptosis rate， the levels of TNF-α and IFN-β， and protein expression of STING and phosphorylation levels of TBK1， IRF3 and NF-κB p65， while the levels of IL-4 and IL-10 were significantly decreased （P＜0.05）. Compared with the model group， the low- and high-dose ASP groups showed relatively intact colonic mucosal structure， orderly glandular arrangement， reduced congestion and edema， and markedly reduced inflammatory cell infiltration and ulcers； all quantitative indicators were significantly improved， with the high-dose group showing more pronounced improvements than the low-dose group （P＜0.05）. Compared with the high-dose ASP group， the above indicators of rats in the high-dose ASP+STING activator group were significantly reversed （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS ASP may alleviate colonic pathological injury and inflammatory response in UC rats by inhibiting the STING/TBK1/IRF3 signaling pathway.

Objective:To construct a reliability management model of medical equipment in the department of respiratory and critical care medicine,and to explore its application effect in the management of medical equipment in the department of respiratory and critical care medicine.Methods:Taking the reliability of equipment management content and management methods as evaluation indexes,standardized procedures of equipment use,cleaning and emergency management were formed,and a reliability management model for medical equipment in the department of respiratory and critical care medicine was constructed.A total of 63 medical devices in clinical use in the Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine of Beijing Anzhen Hospital,Capital Medical University from January 2022 to January 2023 were selected.According to different management modes,conventional management mode(32 devices)and reliability management mode(31 devices)were adopted respectively.The equipment management index score,equipment goal achievement degree and equipment management defect rate,and the equipment management recognition scores of the engineers,equipment operation technicians and doctors of equipment use management were compared between the two management modes.Results:The average recognition scores of the engineers,operating technicians and doctors for the use of equipment of the reliability management model were(90.66±5.25)points,(91.54±4.14)points and(92.17±5.17)points,respectively,which were higher than those of the conventional management model,the difference was statistically significant(t=14.249,13.773,12.267,P<0.05).The average scores of equipment resource allocation,information technology,technical support and management performance indicators of the reliability management mode were(90.25±4.12)points,(92.45±3.26)points,(91.47±2.78)points and(90.25±3.11)points,respectively,which were higher than those of conventional management mode,the difference was statistically significant(t=12.122,18.379,15.581,14.141,P<0.05).The average scores of equipment use standardization,cleaning completion and emergency management timeliness of reliability management mode were(92.36±3.25)points,(90.69±3.69)points and(91.87±3.01)points,respectively,which were higher than those of the conventional management mode,the difference was statistically significant(t=14.953,15.030,14.401,P<0.05).The number of equipment damaged,repaired and factory repair of the reliability management mode was 1,1 and 2,respectively,and the defect rates were 3.22%,3.22%and 6.45%,respectively,which were lower than those of the conventional management mode,the difference was statistically significant(x2=8.581,9.908,8.782,P<0.05).Conclusion:The application of reliability-based medical equipment management model to the medical equipment management of respiratory and critical care medicine can improve the quality of equipment management and operation,reduce the failure rate of equipment,and improve the service level of equipment.

Objective To explore the immunopathological mechanism for the imbalance between the positive signal mediated by inducible costimulator (ICOS) and the negative signal mediated by programmed death-1 (PD-1) in patients with myasthenia gravis (MG).Methods Eighty-two patients with MG,56 healthy controls (HC) and 20 non-MG (NMG) patients,collected in the First Affiliated Hospital of Suzhou University from February 2014 to December 2016,were chosen to participate in the study.The expression of ICOS and PD-1 on peripheral blood mononuclear cells was detected by immuno-fluorescence staining and flow cytometry.The levels of soluble programmed death-1 (sPD-1),soluble programmed death ligand 1 (sPD-L1),IL-4 and other cytokines were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results (1) Flow cytometry analysis:The co-expression of PD-1,ICOS on CD4 + T cells from MG group (9.64％ (8.82％)) was higher than in HC (1.81％ (2.10％),Z =-7.389,P ＜0.05) and NMG group (2.86％ (1.49％),Z =-4.636,P ＜ 0.05).The expression of ICOS on CD4 + T cells,ICOS ligand (ICOSL) on CD14+ monocytes and CD19+ B cells were increased in MG group comparing with that of the control groups.The proportion of PD-1 + CD4 + T cells (MG group 16.82％ (10.66％),HC 9.34％ (9.18％),Z =-4.345,P＜0.05;NMG group 7.07％ (3.40％),Z=-4.594,P＜0.05) and PD-1 Ligand (PD-L1) + CD14+ monocytes was higher in MG patients.All of these were detected by flow cytometry.(2) ELISA analysis:Serum sPD-1 expression significantly increased in MG group compared with that in the control groups (MG group (1.87 ± 0.64) ng/ml,NMG group (1.49 ± 0.70) ng/ml,t =2.04,P ＜ 0.05;HC (1.05 ± 0.50)ng/ml,t =2.08,P ＜ 0.05),while for serum sPD-L1,there was no significant difference between MG and control groups.(3) Serum cytokines detection:The expression of IL-4 was increased in MG patients (MG group (61.88 ±5.15) pg/ml,HC (32.03 ±1.84) pg/ml,t=2.50,P＜0.05;NMG group (42.62± 3.31) pg/ml,t =2.34,P ＜0.05),and there was a negative correlation between the expression of sPD-1 and the concentration of IL-4.Conclusions The increased expression of PD-1 + ICOS + CD4 + T cells suggested the subset involved in the pathological progress of MG.sPD-1 might disturb the ligation of PD-1 on T cells and PD-L1 on antigen presenting cells,while the ligation of ICOS and ICOSL passed positive signal,leading to over activity of the subsets and the progression of disease.

Objective: To analyze the clinical and pathological features of Cronkhite-Canada syndrome (CCS), and to investigate the significance of IgG4 positive plasma cell infiltration. Methods: Clinical presentations, endoscopic appearances and morphological features of 18 patients diagnosed with CCS at Peking Union Medical College Hospital during 2000-2016 were included in the study.There were 11 male and 7 female patients. IgG4 and IgG immunohistochemical stains were performed in total of 55 biopsies from the patients (36 polyps, 10 adenoma and 9 surrounding mucosa) and a control group of 58 cases (19 colonic mucosa, 7 colonic hyperplastic polyps, 9 inflammatory bowel disease and 23 adenoma). Results: Average age of CCS was 59 years (range 47-69 years) and the male to female ratio was 11∶7. All patients had at least one ectoderm lesion. Fourteen cases had testicular abnormalities. Digestive tract symptoms were encountered in most cases. Four patients had a history of connective tissue disease. Endoscopically, multiple polyps were found to involve entire gastrointestinal tract except the esophagus. Morphologically, CCS polyps were characterized by prominent mucosal edema, mild to moderate inflammation, glands hyperplasia and cystic dilatation. Ten cases had colonic adenoma and one case had rectal adenocarcinoma. While none of the cases reached the diagnostic criteria of IgG4 disease, the positive rate of IgG4 positive plasma cells in adenoma of CCS was significantly higher than that in polyps and surrounding mucosa of CCS (60.0%∶13.9%∶0, P<0.01). The positive rate of IgG4 positive plasma cells of adenoma and polyp of CCS had an increased tendency compared to that of adenoma and polyp of control group (60.0%∶34.8%; 13.9%∶0). Conclusion The findings in the study do not support that CCS is a variant of IgG4 disease, although IgG4 positive plasma cells may be involved in the pathogenesis of CCS, which may be explored in future investigations.

Objective To discuss the clinical significance of programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) patients by analyzing PD-1 and programmed death 1-1igand (PD-L1) expressions.Methods Sixteen patients with NMOSD,16 patients with longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis (LETM),13 patients with opticneuritis (ON),20 with other diseases of the central nervous system (OTH) and 16 health controls (CONs) were chosen in our hospital from April 2015 to July 2016;their peripheral blood was separately collected.The PD-1 expression in the CD4+r lymphocytes,and PD-L1 expressions in the CD14+ mononuclear leucocytes and CD19+B lymphocytes of peripheral blood were detected by flow cytometry.ELISA was performed to analyze the levels of soluble PD-1 and soluble PD-L1 in plasma samples.Results The PD-1 level from the peripheral blood of NMOSD patients was significantly higher than that from LETM,ON,and OTH patients and CONs (P＜0.05).The PD-L1 level of NMOSD patients was significantly higher than that of the other 4 groups (P＜0.05).ELISA indicated that levels of soluble PD-1 and soluble PD-L1 in plasma samples from NMOSD patients were significantly higher than those in LETM,ON,and OTH patients and CONs (P＜0.05).Conclusion The PD-1/PD-L1 pathway is an important immune response approach and takes part in the earlier stage of the NMOSD pathological process.

BACKGROUND:The incidence of low serum level of vitamin D in patients undergoing hip arthroplasty and its impact has not been reported in China, indicating that it has not been brought to the forefront. OBJECTIVE:To determine the prevalence of low serum level of vitamin D in patients before total hip arthroplasty and its relationship with the hip function scores. METHODS:Forty-eight hips from 48 patients undergoing primary hip arthroplasty from July 2013 to August 2014 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Suzhou University were enrol ed. According to the serum level of vitamin D, patients were assigned to low-level (<20μg/L) and high-level (20≥μg/L) groups. The general information of patients, the hip function scores before and after replacement at the last fol ow-up in the two groups were observed and compared. The relationship between the serum level of vitamin D and the hip function scores before and after replacement was analyzed by multiple linear regression analysis. And the average fol ow-up was 12 months (11-14 months). RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) The incidence of low vitamin D level was 82%(20 ng/mL serving as standard). (2) Compared with patients with high vitamin D level, patients with low level of vitamin D had lower preoperative Harris scores and Merle D′Aubigne-Postel score (P<0.05), and also at the last fol ow-up (P<0.05. (3) Based on the preoperative and postoperative Harris, the multiple linear regression analysis showed that there was a positive correlation between the level of vitamin D and Harris score both preoperatively and postoperatively (P<0.05). (4) These results suggest that there is a higher incidence of low level of vitamin D in patients undergoing arthroplasty, and hip function scores before and after replacement in patients with low level of vitamin D are lower than the high level patients. Moreover, there is a positive correlation between the level of vitamin D and the hip joint function scores. Therefore, it is advisable to supplement vitamin D and calcium preoperatively, and the level of vitamin D wil be helpful for disease assessment and prognosis.