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.

The wide use of crystalline silicon solar cells in the field of new energy is an important boost for China to achieve the environmental protection goal as soon as possible. However, the production and manufacturing processes of these cells give rise to various occupational hazards at workplace, thus posing health risks to workers. This review provided an overview of production processes of crystalline silicon solar cells, the characteristics of occupational health hazards (productive dust; physical factors, productive toxicant) and proposed occupational protection suggestions.

The wide use of crystalline silicon solar cells in the field of new energy is an important boost for China to achieve the environmental protection goal as soon as possible. However, the production and manufacturing processes of these cells give rise to various occupational hazards at workplace, thus posing health risks to workers. This review provided an overview of production processes of crystalline silicon solar cells, the characteristics of occupational health hazards (productive dust; physical factors, productive toxicant) and proposed occupational protection suggestions.

Objective:To analyze the status quo and influencing factors of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in community-dwelling elderly women.Methods:A total of 9 754 female residents aged 60-79 years who attended health check-up in Anting Town Community Health Service Center from June 2019 to December 2021 were enrolled in the study. According to the ultrasound diagnosis, there were 5 220 cases of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD group) and 4 534 cases without NAFLD (non-NAFLD group). The general information, physiological and biochemical indicators were compared between two groups with Mann-Whitney U test and Chi-square test; the influence factors of NAFLD were analyzed with logistic regression. Results:The overall prevalence of NAFLD was 53.52%(5 220/9 754), prevalence in the 65-69 age group was the highest and that in the 75-79 age group was the lowest. Body mass index ( Z=47.667), waist circumference ( Z=45.949), waist-to-hip ratio ( Z=30.805), systolic blood pressure ( Z=7.543), diastolic blood pressure ( Z=7.621), fasting blood glucose ( Z=20.298), glycated hemoglobin ( Z=23.588), alanine aminotransferase ( Z=29.624), aspartate aminotransferase ( Z=7.824), total bilirubin ( Z=4.441), triglyceride ( Z=34.597), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( Z=2.476) and blood uric acid ( Z=29.934) levels of NAFLD group were significantly higher than those in non-NAFLD group (all P<0.05); the mean age ( Z=-3.885) and high density lipoprotein cholesterol ( Z=-23.553) in NAFLD group were significantly lower than those in non-NAFLD group (all P<0.001); there were no significant differences in the levels of total cholesterol ( Z=1.762)and creatinine ( Z=1.453) between the two groups (all P>0.05). The proportion of patients had type 2 diabetes mellitus ( χ2=368.395), hypertension ( χ2=208.503), hypertriglyceridemia ( χ2=883.831), hyperuricemia ( χ2=228.562), central obesity ( χ2=1 506.580), high risk of stroke ( χ2=605.322) and high risk of ASCVD ( χ 2=309.434) in NAFLD group were significantly higher than that of non-NAFLD group (all P<0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that age ( OR=0.937, 95% CI: 0.928-0.946), body mass index ( OR=1.224, 95% CI:1.194-1.255), waist circumference ( OR=1.072, 95% CI: 1.062-1.082), glycosylated hemoglobin ( OR=1.348, 95% CI: 1.275-1.426), alanine aminotransferase ( OR=1.032, 95% CI: 1.026-1.037), triglyceride ( OR=1.757, 95% CI: 1.646-1.875) and serum uric acid ( OR=1.004, 95% CI: 1.004-1.005) levels were the influencing factors for NAFLD in elderly women (all P<0.001). Conclusion:The prevalence rate of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in the community-dwelling elderly women is high, which are associated with multiple influencing factors.

Objective To comprehensively evaluate the quality of Croci Stigma from different regions by using the entropy weighted TOPSIS,and to provide evidence for the quality evaluation and regions selection of Croci Stigma.Methods The contents of picrocrocin,crocin I,crocin II and crocin III were determined by HPLC wavelength switching method.The total content of four components,loss on drying,total ash,absorbance and extract were chosen as detection indexes for Croci Stigma,and the weight was calculated by entropy weight method,and the indexes were statistically analyzed by TOPSIS method.The quality of Croci Stigma was comprehensively evaluated.Results The analysis results of entropy weighted TOPSIS method showed that the mean values of relative closeness(Ci)values of Croci Stigma from Zhejiang,Tibet,Anhui,Jiangsu provinces and shanghai city were 0.654,0.396,0.426,0.326 and 0.341,respectively.Overall,the quality of Croci Stigma in Zhejiang province was the highest.Conclusion The established entropy weighted TOPSIS method is objective,comprehensive and effective,which can be used for the comprehensive quality evaluation of Croci Stigma.

OBJECTIVE To establish the quality evaluation method of Polyporus formula granules, and to comprehensive evaluate the quality uniformity and stability of products from different manufacturers. METHODS The fingerprint of Polyporus formula granules was determined by HPLC. Shim-pack GIST C18-AQ(4.6 mm×150 mm, 3 μm) was used, mobile phase was acetonitrile-water with gradient elution, volume flow rate was 1.0 mL·min-1, detection wavelength was 350 nm (0-3 min) and 250 nm(3-35 min), column temperature was 30℃. HPLC fingerprints of Polyporus formula granules from different manufacturers were established, common peaks were identified, similarities were evaluated and cluster analysis were performed. HPLC was used to determine the contents of 4 active ingredients, and the quality of 16 batches of samples was analyzed and evaluated. RESULTS The established HPLC fingerprint of Polyporus formula granules defined 14 common peaks and identified 6 common components. They were peak 2(uridine), peak 4(guanosine), peak 6(adenosine), peak 12(polyporusteron B), peak 13(polyporusteron A), peak 14(polyporusteron C). The similarity of 16 batches of samples were 0.609-0.982, and could be clustered into 2 categories by cluster analysis. Guanosine, adenosine, polyporusteron B and polyporusteron A all showed good linear relationships(r ≥ 0.999 7), RSDs of instrument precision, stability and reproducibility tests were <3%. The average recoveries were 98.22%, 99.32%, 99.56%, 99.15%, RSD<3%(n=6). The contents of guanosine, adenosine, polyporusteron B, polyporusteron A in 16 batches of samples were 6.326-28.006, 13.392-44.058, 10.324-30.335, 9.270-26.964 μg·g-1.CONCLUSION There is considerable quality difference among different manufacturers. The established fingerprint combine with the compound determination can comprehensively and accurately evaluate the internal quality of Polyporus formula granules, and provide a basis for the overall improvement of the quality.

Objective Comprehensive mortality risk analyses and therapeutic assessment in real-world practice are beneficial to guide individual treatment in patients with Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae bloodstream infections(CRKP-BSI).Methods Retrospective analysis of the clinical characteristics of 81 CRKP-BSI patients in our intensive care unit from July 2016 to June 2020,to indentify the risk factors of death and treatment effects of different antibiotic regimens.Results In 81 CRKP-BSI cases,the majority source were from abdominal and respiratory,accounting for 56.79%(46 cases)and 22.22%(18 cases),respectively.The 28-day mortality and hospitalization mortality of CRKP-BSI were 54.32%(44 cases)and 65.43%(53 cases).Multivariate regression analysis suggested that biliary tract disease before admission(P=0.026)and increased SOFA score at the onset of BSI(P=0.006)were independent risk factors for 28-day mortality.There was no statistically significant difference in 28-day mortality between the groups of antibiotic treatment based on tigecycline(44 cases)and polymyxin B(26 cases)[56.82%(25/44)vs.57.69%(15/26),P=0.943].Patients were evaluated based on their age(≤65 years vs.>65 years),gender,body mass index(≤25 kg/m2 vs.>25 kg/m2),and APACHEⅡ score(≤20 vs.>20),the use of renal replacement therapy and mechanical ventilation,there was no difference in the mortality among each subgroup.Conclusions Biliary tract disease before admission and SOFA score were independent risk factors for 28-day mortality.There was no significant difference outcomes between tigecycline-and polymyxin B-based therapy.

Background/Aims: Epstein-Barr virus-associated gastric cancers (EBVaGCs) have unique molecular and clinicopathological characteristics. The cyclic GMP-AMP synthase-stimulator of interferon genes (STING) pathway is recently recognized as the critical innate immunity against pathogens and tumors. STING is also a master regulator in the cancer-immunity cycle and targeting STING could synergize with existing immune-checkpoint therapies. However, the role of STING in GC, especially in EBVaGC, and its correlation with programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) remain largely unclear. Methods: We collected 78 cases of EBVaGCs and 210 cases of EBV-negative GC (EBVnGC) from a total of 1,443 cases of GC analyzed by EBV-encoded small RNA in situ hybridization. We investigated STING and PD-L1 expression and their concomitant prognostic value in EBVaGCs and EBVnGCs using tissue microarray and immunohistochemistry. The effects of STING and PD-L1 expression on the overall survival of patients with EBVaGC or EBVnGC were assessed by univariate and multivariate analysis. Results: We found that both STING and PD-L1 exhibited significantly higher expression in the EBVaGCs than that in the EBVnGCs. The expression of STING was positively correlated with that of PD-L1 in EBVaGCs. Simultaneous negative expression of STING and PD-L1, and positive expression of STING were independent prognostic risk factors for EBVaGC and EBVnGC, respectively. Conclusions This is the first prognostic retrospective study of STING and PD-L1 expression and the prognosis among EBVaGC and EBVnGC. The expression and prognostic value of STING and PD-L1 are different in the two types of GCs. STING and PD-L1 are promising prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for EBVaGC and EBVnGC.

Charcot Spinal Arthropathy (CSA) is a rare and progressive serious degenerative spinal disease. The clinical manifestations of CSA are concealed and atypical, which could lead to missed misdiagnosis, disease prognosis, and a huge burden on patients. However, there is no systematic review of CSA in China. The causes of CSA are mainly divided into spinal cord injury and non-injury neuropathy. The risk factors for CSA caused by spinal cord injury include long-segment fixation, scoliosis, laminectomy, overload spinal exercise and obesity. CSA usually occurs in the lower thoracic or lumbar spine. The symptoms of CSA include spinal deformity, unbalanced sitting posture and local pain. The CSA can be diagnosed after excluding non-specific chronic inflammation in histology and other inflammatory diseases or tumor based on the following items, damage to proprioception, pain and temperature perception, bone destruction, absorption and new bone formation on imaging. Conservative treatment can be considered for patients with CSA who have good stability without infections, stable nerve function, skin fistulas, balanced sitting posture, and autonomic dysfunction. Surgery is recommended for patients with symptoms lasting for more than 6 months with spinal instability, skin fistulas or complicated infections. Before surgery, it is recommended to evaluate the heterotopic ossification or rigidity of both hip joints. During operation, more attention should be paid to the adequate removal of necrotic tissue and inflammatory tissue in the lesion and sufficient bone grafting. Spinal fusion is recommended at the sacrum or pelvis. Postoperative complications include failure of internal fixation, new Charcot joint formation, difficulty in wound healing and infection. The authors emphasize that the overall thoracolumbar spine should be followed up for patients with spinal cord injury and paraplegia for the long-term. The typical symptoms of CSA are helpful for early diagnosis and selection of appropriate interventions.

Objective: To explore hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection rate of breast feeding to newborn babies of HBV carrying parturient women with hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) double positive. Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted to include HBsAg and HBeAg double-positive HBV carrying parturient women and their babies born from February 2016 to May 2018 at the Women′s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, and 323 parturient women and 323 babies were enrolled. The babies were divided into breast feeding group and artificial feeding group. Chemiluminescence immunoassay and polymerase chain reaction-fluorescent probe method were used to detect the positive rates of serum HBV markers and HBV DNA levels in the newborns <24 h and seven-month-old age, respectively. The statistical method was performed using χ² test. Results: A total of 297 parturient women were finally included for the analysis, including 149 in the breast feeding group and 148 in the artificial feeding group. There were no significant differences in the positive rates of HBsAg, hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs), HBeAg and HBV DNA>100 IU/mL between the two groups at birth <24 h and seven months of age (all P>0.05). The positive rate of anti-HBs in newborns in the breast feeding group at birth <24 h was 58.39%(87/149), which was lower than 95.97%(143/149) at seven months of age. The HBeAg-positive group was 65.10%(97/149) at birth <24 h in the breast feeding group, which was higher than 13.42%(20/149) at seven months of age. The differences were both statistically significant (χ²=59.75 and 40.49, respectively, both P<0.01). The positive rates of HBsAg and HBV DNA>100 IU/mL in newborns in the breast feeding group were 2.01%(3/149) and 2.68%(4/149) at birth <24 h, respectively, and those at seven months were 2.68%(4/149) and 2.68%(4/149), respectively. There were no significant differences between the two time points (both P>0.05). In the artificial feeding group, the positive rate of anti-HBs in newborns was 47.97%(71/148) at birth <24 h, which was lower than 95.94% (142/148) at seven months of age. The positive rate of HBeAg in the artificial feeding group was 55.41%(82/148) in newborns at birth <24 h, which was higher than 19.59%(29/148) at seven months of age. The differences were statistically significant (χ²=85.37 and 39.84, respectively, both P<0.01). The positive rates of HBsAg and HBV DNA>100 IU/mL in newborns in the artificial feeding group at birth <24 h were 4.73%(7/148) and 1.35%(2/148), respectively, and those at seven months were 1.35%(2/148) and 1.35%(2/148), respectively. There were no significant differences between the two time points (both P>0.05). Conclusions Breast feeding is not a decisive factor for the risk of vertical transmission in HBsAg and HBeAg double-positive HBV carriers. It is recommended that such women could breastfeed under formal precautions.