To investigate the correlation between vitamin D nutritional status and insulin resistance in pubertal adolescents.

Background Diesel engines are widely used in transportation, agriculture, construction, industry, and other fields. Diesel exhaust, classified as a Group 1 carcinogen, emits particles (DEP) that can penetrate deep into the respiratory tract, posing significant health risks. DEP pollution is particularly severe in confined environments, necessitating effective control measures. Objective Under laboratory simulation conditions, to explore the spatiotemporal distribution characteristics of the mass and number concentrations of DEP as it diffuses indoors and to reveal the effects of ventilation and additional airflow on indoor DEP pollution levels. Methods A diesel engine was placed in a laboratory (length 3.39 m × width 2.85 m × height 2.4 m) with its exhaust emitted from east to west. An air purifier was installed 1 m south of the engine. Eight measurement points (1 m horizontal distance from the exhaust outlet, height: 1 m/1.5 m) were setup to monitor DEP concentrations using portable laser particle sizers. The effects of engine power (4.05 kW vs. 5.15 kW), ventilation (maximum airflow: 600 m³·h⁻¹), additional airflow intensity (low and high), and direction (forward/reverse) on DEP pollution were analyzed. DEP levels of 5 diesel vehicle models were also compared. Results The mass and number concentrations of DEP indoors increased immediately after the diesel engine started. The peak mass concentration time at the eastern measurement point (−1, 0) m opposite to the exhaust direction (17.70 min) was significantly longer than that at the western (1, 0) m (16.20 min), southern (0, -1) m (14.45 min), and northern (0, 1) m (12.70 min) points (P<0.05), with no significant differences between the other points (western, southern, and northern) (P>0.05). The northern point (0, 1) m exhibited the highest DEP mass and number concentration peaks (174.62 μg·m⁻³, 1319.85 p·cm⁻³), significantly exceeding those at the southern (0, −1) m (129.89 μg·m⁻³, 1175.24 p·cm⁻³), eastern (−1, 0) m (140.12 μg·m⁻³, 1120.53 p·cm⁻³), and western (1, 0) m (147.60 μg·m⁻³, 818.62 p·cm⁻³) points (P<0.05), and no significant differences were observed among other points (P>0.05). There were no significant differences in peak DEP mass and number concentrations by measurement heights (P>0.05). Diesel engine power, ventilation, airflow intensity, and airflow direction had no significant effect on the time of peak DEP concentration (P>0.05). However, higher engine power (5.15 kW) produced greater DEP peaks [(186.66±19.29) μg·m⁻³, (1382.79±122.56) p·cm⁻³] than the 4.05 kW engine power [(168.41±12.65) μg·m⁻³, (1284.45±71.30) p·cm⁻³] (P<0.05). The peak mass concentration [(342.04±35.03) μg·m⁻³] and number concentration [(1886.87±57.91) p·cm⁻³] of DEP in the non-ventilated group were significantly higher than those in the ventilated group [(186.66±19.29) μg·m⁻³, (1382.79±122.56) p·cm⁻³] (P<0.001). Forward airflow elevated DEP mass concentrations compared to reverse airflow (287.71 μg·m⁻³ vs. 243.74 μg·m⁻³, t=−2.592, P=0.009), but no effects on DEP number concentration (P>0.05). Significant differences in mass concentration were observed among selected 5 vehicle models (Z=38.109, P<0.001). Conclusion The operation of diesel engines will emit a large amount of particulate matter, causing pollution in enclosed spaces. Diesel engines with greater power have higher levels of DEP pollution emissions. Based on the spatiotemporal distribution characteristics, it is recommended to set the operation position in the reverse direction of exhaust emissions and close to air purifiers, while avoiding the use of additional air flow equipment.

AIM: To report three cases of viral keratitis caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2).METHODS: Slit lamp, intraocular pressure, corneal fluorescence staining, anterior segment photography, in vivo confocal microscopy(IVCM), and routine fundus screening were performed in the three confirmed patients. Treatment involved Ganciclovir, artificial tears and glucocorticoid eye drops.RESULTS: Three patients with SARS-CoV-2 keratitis(SCK)recovered well after standard treatment.CONCLUSION: SARS-CoV-2 keratitis typically presents as corneal subepithelial infiltration and can result in a decrease in corneal subepithelial nerve fiber density and an increase in dendritic cells(DC). Antiviral therapy in combination with glucocorticoid has proven to be effective.

Objective To investigate the differences and the immunocompatibility of wild-type (WT), four-gene modified (TKO/hCD55) and six-gene modified (TKO/hCD55/hCD46/hTBM) pig erythrocytes with human serum. Methods The blood samples were collected from 20 volunteers with different blood groups. WT, TKO/hCD55, TKO/hCD55/hCD46/hTBM pig erythrocytes, ABO-compatible (ABO-C) and ABO-incompatible (ABO-I) human erythrocytes were exposed to human serum of different blood groups, respectively. The blood agglutination and antigen-antibody binding levels (IgG, IgM) and complement-dependent cytotoxicity were detected. The immunocompatibility of two types of genetically modified pig erythrocytes with human serum was evaluated. Results No significant blood agglutination was observed in the ABO-C group. The blood agglutination levels in the WT and ABO-I groups were higher than those in the TKO/hCD55 and TKO/hCD55/hCD46/hTBM groups (all P<0.001). The level of erythrocyte lysis in the WT group was higher than those in the ABO-C, TKO/hCD55 and TKO/hCD55/hCD46/hTBM groups. The level of erythrocyte lysis in the ABO-I group was higher than those in the TKO/hCD55 and TKO/hCD55/hCD46/hTBM groups (both P<0.01). The pig erythrocyte binding level with IgM and IgG in the TKO/hCD55 group was lower than those in the WT and ABO-I groups. The pig erythrocyte binding level with IgG and IgM in the TKO/hCD55/hCD46/hTBM group was lower than that in the WT group and pig erythrocyte binding level with IgG was lower than that in the ABO-I group (all P<0.05). Conclusions The immunocompatibility of genetically modified pig erythrocytes is better than that of wild-type pigs and close to that of ABO-C pigs. Humanized pig erythrocytes may be considered as a blood source when blood sources are extremely scarce.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy and prognosis of different surgical approaches in sporadic medullary thyroid carcinoma.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 101 patients with sporadic medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) who underwent surgical treatment at the Department of Thyroid Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, from Feb. 2009 to Nov. 2023. The patients included 36 males and 75 females, with a male-to-female ratio of 1:2.1. The median age of the patients was 47 years old, with an age range of 21 to 72 years old. The study divided participants into two groups based on their surgical methods: an observation group (78 cases) and a control group (23 cases). The observation group received surgical methods in accordance with expert consensus, while the control group did not. The study compared the efficacy and prognosis of the two groups.Results:Statistical differences were found between the two groups in terms of stage II and III in TNM staging, intraoperative frozen pathological findings, number of lymph node resections in the central group, number of lymph node metastases in the central group, number of lymph node resections in the lateral cervical region, postoperative follow-up time, and five-year postoperative serum procalcitonin (Ctn) levels ( P<0.05) .Both groups of patients obtained a significant decrease in Ctn after surgical treatment. In the observation group, Ctn was at the remission level in 57 cases (73.1%), at the stable level in 13 cases (16.7%), and at the progression level in 8 cases (10.2%), while in the control group, Ctn was at the remission level in 20 cases (86.9%), at the progression level in 3 cases (13.1%), and there were no patients at the stable level after the operation.One patient (1.3 per cent) in the observation group had a recurrence after surgery; Two patients (8.7 per cent) in the control group had a recurrence. Conclusions:Standardised and thorough surgery can maximise the clearance of metastatic lymph nodes, effectively reduce the recurrence rate, achieve better efficacy, and improve the long-term prognosis of patients without increasing the risk of surgery and postoperative complications.

BACKGROUND:Mesenchymal stem cells are susceptible to senescence during in vitro expansion,which greatly hinders their application in vivo and in vitro.How to improve the replicative senescence of mesenchymal stem cells is an urgent problem to be solved in tissue engineering. OBJECTIVE:To determine whether vascular endothelial growth factor combined with basic fibroblast growth factor can improve the aging of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells caused by replicative passage. METHODS:Rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were extracted by whole bone marrow adhesion method.Passage 2 cells were selected as normal control group.Passage 7 and later algebraic cells were selected as aging model group.Vascular endothelial growth factor(50 μg/L),basic fibroblast growth factor(10 μg/L),and their combination were administered.Cell proliferation was detected by CCK-8 assay.Cell senescence was observed by β-galactosidase activity staining.Cytoskeleton size and colony formation ability were observed by phalloidine staining and Giemsa staining,respectively,and the levels of senescence-related genes P16,P21,and P53 were detected by qRT-PCR.Gene expression levels of P16,P21,and P53 were tested by qRT-PCR. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Vascular endothelial growth factor combined with basic fibroblast growth factor could promote the proliferation of aged bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells,which began to enter the plateau stage on day 9,and the absorbance value of the combined intervention group was significantly higher than that of the model group on day 9(P<0.05).(2)The phenotypic markers of the cells in the combined intervention group did not change,and the cell morphology changed from broad to slender.(3)Compared with the model group,the positive rate of β-galactosidase was significantly decreased(P<0.01);the number of nuclei increased(P<0.001);the total area of cytoskeleton increased(P<0.01);colony formation ability was enhanced(P<0.05);expression level of P16 was decreased(P<0.01)in the combined intervention group.These results indicate that vascular endothelial growth factor combined with basic fibroblast growth factor can improve the senescence of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells caused by replicative passage without changing the cell phenotype.

Objective To provide evidence-based references for the prevention of surgical site infection(SSI)by sum-marizing the best evidence for the prevention of SSI in adult inpatients.Methods The'6S'evidence resource pyramid model was used to systematically search the related evidence in domestic and foreign databases,guideline websites,and academic socie-ty websites from the inception of the database to September 30,2023.Four researchers evaluated the quality of the included guidelines,and two researchers independently evaluated the quality of other types of literature and rated the level of evidence.Results A total of 12 articles were included,including 6 clinical decision making and 6 clinical guidelines.Thirty best items of the evidence were summarized from 7 aspects:diagnosis,clinical symptoms,influencing factors,patient prevention strategies,preventive strategies for medical staff,intraoperative and postoperative treatment,and consultation and education.Conclusion Clinical staff should develop a standardized management plan for infection prevention based on corresponding evidence to reduce the incidence of SSI instead of taking a single measurement.Moreover,they need to formulate a standardized work process for preventing SSI based on the clinical practice and patients'preference.

BACKGROUND:Trauma-induced coagulopathy(TIC)due to serious injuries significantly leads to increased mortality and morbidity among elderly patients.However,the risk factors of TIC are not well elucidated.This study aimed to explore the risk factors of TIC in elderly patients who have major trauma. METHODS:In this retrospective study,the risk factors for TIC in elderly trauma patients at a single trauma center were investigated between January 2015 and September 2020.The demographic information including gender,age,trauma parts,injury severity,use of blood products,use of vasopressors,need of emergency surgery,duration of mechanical ventilation,length of stay in the intensive care unit(ICU)and hospital,and clinical outcomes were extracted from electric medical records.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to differentiate risk factors,and the performance of the model was evaluated using receiver operating characteristics(ROC)curves. RESULTS:Among the 371 elderly trauma patients,248(66.8%)were male,with the age of 72.5±6.8 years,median injury severity score(ISS)of 24(IQR:17-29),and Glasgow coma score(GCS)of 14(IQR:7-15).Of these patients,129(34.8%)were diagnosed with TIC,whereas 242(65.2%)were diagnosed with non-TIC.The severity scores such as ISS(25[20-34]vs.21[16-29],P<0.001)and shock index(SI),(0.90±0.66 vs.0.58±0.18,P<0.001)was significantly higher in the TIC group than in the non-TIC group.Serum calcium levels(1.97±0.19 mmol/L vs.2.15±0.16 mmol/L,P<0.001),fibrinogen levels(1.7±0.8 g/L vs.2.8±0.9 g/L,P<0.001),and base excess(BE,-4.9±4.6 mmol/L vs.-1.2±3.1 mmol/L,P<0.001)were significantly lower in the TIC group than in the non-TIC group.Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that ISS>16(OR:3.404,95%CI:1.471-7.880;P=0.004),SI>1(OR:5.641,95%CI:1.700-18.719;P=0.005),low BE(OR:0.868,95%CI:0.760-0.991;P=0.037),hypocalcemia(OR:0.060,95%CI:0.009-0.392;P=0.003),and hypofibrinogenemia(OR:0.266,95%CI:0.168-0.419;P<0.001)were independent risk factors for TIC in elderly trauma patients.The AUC of the prediction model included all these risk factors was 0.887(95%CI:0.851-0.923)with a sensitivity and specificity of 83.6%and 82.6%,respectively. CONCLUSION:Higher ISS(more than 16),higher SI(more than 1),acidosis,hypocalcemia,and hypofibrinogenemia emerged as independent risk factors for TIC in elderly trauma patients.

Malignant insulinoma is a kind of rare and challenging neuroendocrine tumor. It is often accompanied by distant metastasis, among which liver metastasis is most common, and the prognosis is often non-promising. In this paper, we report a case of multiple liver metastases from malignant insulinoma. The patient, a 70-year-old male, was admitted to the hospital due to "episodic consciousness disorder for more than four months." Blood glucose monitoring revealed recurrent hypoglycemia in the early morning, after meals, and at night. Pancreatic perfusion CT and dynamic enhanced MRI of the liver revealed a mass in the uncinate process of the pancreatic head and multiple liver metastases. Percutaneous liver biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of insulinoma. After multidisciplinary discussions, hepatic artery embolization and radiofrequency ablation were performed in stages, in combination with everolimus treatment. Thereafter, the enhanced CT demonstrated that some liver metastases shrank. The patient had regular meals, and the blood sugar gradually increased and remained normal thereafter. This article discusses this case's clinical characteristics and multidisciplinary collaborative diagnosis and treatment, aiming to provide experience for the comprehensive clinical diagnosis and treatment of malignant insulinoma patients.

Objective To investigate the involvement of phosphofurin acidic cluster sorting protein-2(PACS-2)in mitochondrial function and apoptosis in N2a/APP695swe cells and further explore the role and significance of PACS-2 in the development of Alzheimer's disease(AD).Methods The CCK8 method was used to analyze the cell survival rate of N2a/APP695swe cells treated with different concentrations of tetrahydroxy stilbene glycoside(TSG)for 48h and to select the appropriate concentration of TSG for subsequent experiments.N2a/WT cells and N2a/APP695swe cells were routinely cultured in vitro,and the experimental cells were divided into 3 groups:blank control group(WT group):N2a/WT cells;model group(APP group):N2a/APP695swe cells;treatment group(TSG group):N2a/APP695swe cells with appropriate concentrations of TSG intervention.TUNEL method to observe apoptosis by fluorescence microscopy;JC-1 method for flow detection of cellular mitochondrial membrane potential;WB to detect protein expression of PACS-2;RT-qPCR to detect PACS-2 mRNA expression.Results CCK8 method was used to analyze the cell survival rate of different concentrations of TSG acting on cells after 48h:the protective effect of 100 μmol/L TSG was the most significant and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.01).The TUNEL method of fluorescence microscopy observed the apoptosis:compared with the WT group,the apoptosis rate of APP group was increased,compared with the APP group,the apoptosis rate of TSG group was decreased,and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).The JC-1 method was used to detect the mitochondrial membrane potential of cells:compared with the WT group,the membrane potential of APP group was decreased,compared with the APP group,the membrane potential of TSG group was increased,and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05);Western blot(WB)detection of PACS-2 protein expression:compared with the WT group,PACS-2 expression was significantly higher in the APP group,and compared with the APP group,PACS-2 expression was significantly lower in the TSG group,with statistically significant differences(P<0.05);The RT-qPCR detected the mRNA expression of PACS-2:the expression of PACS-2 was elevated in the APP group compared with the WT group and decreased in the TSG group compared with the APP group,with statistically significant differences(P<0.05).Conclusion PACS-2 has an important role in the development of AD,and its upregulation may promote the development of AD.The cerebroprotective drug TSG may exert cytoprotective effects by downregulating PACS-2 to inhibit apoptosis and improve mitochondrial function in AD model cells.