Objective To observe the regulating effect and mechanism of Yichang Sanjie Granules on intestinal flora and immune function in mice with colon cancer.Methods Sixty mice were randomly divided into six groups,i.e.,the normal group,the model group,the low-,medium-and high-dose groups of Yichang Sanjie Granules,and the overexpression of melanoma absent gene 2(AIM2)plasmid(pcDNA-AIM2)intervention group,with 10 mice in each group.Colorectal cancer model was prepared by oxidized azomethine(AOM)/dextran sulfate sodium(DSS)induction method in all groups except normal group.After drug administration,the survival curves of mice in each group were plotted and the tumor volume was calculated;serum levels of immunoglobulin(Ig)G,IgM,interleukin(IL)-1β and IL-18 were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA);peripheral blood levels of CD3+,CD4+,CD8+ T cells were detected by flow cytometry;the splenic index was determined;Hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining was used to observe the pathological changes in colon tissues;16S-rDNA intestinal flora sequencing was used to detect the α-diversity of intestinal flora and the structure of intestinal flora communities;and protein immunoblotting(Wetsern Blot)was used to detect the protein expressions of AIM2,apoptosis-associated speckled-like protein containing a CARD(ASC),and cystatinase-1(caspase-1)in colon tissues.Results Compared with the normal group,the survival rate,serum levels of IgG and IgM,peripheral blood levels of CD3+ and CD4+ and CD4+/CD8+ ratio,protein expression levels of colon tissue AIM2,ASC and caspase-1 in the model group were significantly decreased,and the tumor volume,serum levels of IL-1β and IL-18,peripheral blood level of CD8+,and splenic index were significantly increased(all P＜0.05),and the HE staining results showed the characteristic manifestations of colon cancer;compared with the model group,the survival rate,serum levels of IgG and IgM,peripheral blood levels of CD3+ and CD4+ and CD4+/CD8+ ratio,protein expression levels of colon tissue AIM2,ASC and caspase-1 in the low-,medium-and high-dose groups of Yichang Sanjie Granules and the pcDNA-AIM2 group were significantly increased,and the tumor volume,serum levels of IL-1β and IL-18,level of peripheral blood CD8+,and splenic index were significantly decreased(all P＜0.05),and the HE staining results showed the manifestations of colon cancer were improved.Compared with the normal group,the Observed index,Chao1 index,Shannon index,the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes,Proteobacteria,Muribaculaceae,Lachnospiraceae-NK4A136group,and Ruminiclostridium in the model group were significantly decreased,while the relative abundance of Firmicutes,Actinobacteria,Patescibateria,Lactobacillus,Odoribacter,Alistipes,Ruminococcaceae-uncultured and Bacteroides was increased in the model group(P＜0.05);compared with the model group,the Observed index,Chao1 index,Shannon index,the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes,Proteobacteria,Muribaculaceae,Lachnospiraceae-NK4A136group and Ruminiclostridium were significantly increased,and the relative abundance of Firmicutes,Actinobacteria,Patescibateria,Lactobacillus,Odoribacter,Alistipes,Ruminococcaceae-uncultured and Bacteroides was decreased in the low-,medium-and high-dose groups of Yichang Sanjie Granules and the pcDNA-AIM2 group(all P＜0.05).Conclusion Yichang Sanjie Granules can increase autoimmunity and improve intestinal flora structure in mice with colon cancer,and its mechanism is related to the activation of AIM2 inflammatory vesicles.

Objective To develop two multi-dimensional value evaluation index systems for intraocular lens(IOL)to assist decision makers in selecting appropriate IOLs.Methods IOL value assessment indexes were determined preliminarily through literature research and expert consultation,and the weights of the indexes were calculated through hierarchical analysis method and then ranked to form two evaluation index systems.Results Two multi-dimensional value evaluation index systems were constructed for monofocal and refractive IOLs respectively,which both contained 3 first-level indicators and 13 second-level indicators;the evaluation index system for monofocal IOL involved in 26 third-level indicators,and the other for refractive IOL had 33 third-level indicators.The three first-level indicators of the two systems were ranked by weight as clinical dimension,economic dimension and institutional dimension.The monofocal IOL evaluation index system had product performance being the second-level indicator with the highest weight,and the top three third-level indicators with the highest weights being lens capsule biocompatibility,risk of intraocular lens damage during implantation and range of applicable populations;the refractive IOL evaluation index system had clinical efficacy(vision)being the second-level indicator with the highest weight,and the top three third-level indicators with the highest weights being distant vision,(astigmatism)rotational stability/postoperative axial rotation and near vision.Conclusion The multi-dimensional value evaluation index systems developed provide references for comprehensive value evaluation of IOLs.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2023,44(11):83-89]

Objectives: The aim of these Clinical Practice Guidelines is to provide evidence-based recommendations to assist healthcare providers in the screening, diagnosis and management of patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis (OP). Methods: A list of key clinical questions on the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of OP was formulated. A literature search using the PubMed, Medline, Cochrane Databases of Systematic Reviews, and OVID electronic databases identified all relevant articles on OP based on the key clinical questions, from 2014 onwards, to update from the 2015 edition. The articles were graded using the SIGN50 format. For each statement, studies with the highest level of evidence were used to frame the recommendation. Results: This article summarizes the diagnostic and treatment pathways for postmenopausal OP. Risk stratification of patients with OP encompasses clinical risk factors, bone mineral density measurements and FRAX risk estimates. Non-pharmacological measures including adequate calcium and vitamin D, regular exercise and falls prevention are recommended. Pharmacological measures depend on patients’ fracture risk status. Very high-risk individuals are recommended for treatment with an anabolic agent, if available, followed by an anti-resorptive agent. Alternatively, parenteral anti-resorptive agents can be used. High-risk individuals should be treated with anti-resorptive agents. In low-risk individuals, menopausal hormone replacement or selective estrogen receptor modulators can be used, if indicated. Patients should be assessed regularly to monitor treatment response and treatment adjusted, as appropriate. Conclusions The pathways for the management of postmenopausal OP in Malaysia have been updated. Incorporation of fracture risk stratification can guide appropriate treatment.

INTRODUCTION: Despite the challenges related to His bundle pacing (HBP), recent data suggest an improved success rate with experience. As a non-university, non-electrophysiology specialised centre in Singapore, we report our experiences in HBP using pacing system analyser alone. METHODS: Data of 28 consecutive patients who underwent HBP from August 2018 to February 2019 was retrospectively obtained. The clinical and technical outcomes of these patients were compared between two timeframes of three months each. Patients were followed up for 12 months. RESULTS: Immediate technical success was achieved in 21 (75.0%) patients (mean age 73.3 ± 10.7 years, 47.6% female). The mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 53.9% ± 12.1%. The indications for HBP were atrioventricular block (n = 13, 61.9%), sinus node dysfunction (n = 7, 33.3%) and upgrade from implantable cardioverter-defibrillator to His-cardiac resynchronisation therapy (n = 1, 4.8%). No significant difference was observed in baseline characteristics between Timeframe 1 and Timeframe 2. Improvements pertaining to mean fluoroscopy time were achieved between the two timeframes. There was one HBP-related complication of lead displacement during Timeframe 1. All patients with successful HBP achieved non-selective His bundle (NSHB) capture, whereas only eight patients had selective His bundle (SHB) capture. NSHB and SHB capture thresholds remained stable at the 12-month follow-up. CONCLUSION Permanent HBP is feasible and safe, even without the use of an electrophysiology recording system. This was successfully achieved in 75% of patients, with no adverse clinical outcomes during the follow-up period.
Humans ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Male ; Bundle of His ; Follow-Up Studies ; Stroke Volume ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Cardiac Pacing, Artificial/adverse effects* ; Electrocardiography ; Ventricular Function, Left/physiology*

Objective:In this study, the liver, spleen, and hepatic portal vein in the portal venous phase images of abdominal enhanced computed tomography (CT) are artificially segmented and annotated, and the radiomics features are extracted from them. A model for predicting portal pressure in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) related cirrhosis is constructed by combining radiomics features with clinical indicators.Methods:A total of 171 patients who had abdominal enhancement CT examination and trans-jugular hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) measurement at the same time were enrolled from January 2016 to May 2020 in the Zhongshan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University. The liver, spleen, and hepatic portal vein in the portal venous phase images of the CT were manually labeled by using ITK-SNAP 3.8 software. The radiomics features of these three sites were extracted using Python programming, and an HVPG prediction model was established.Results:A total of 171 patients was included in the study. The average age was (51.1±10.3)years, of which 134(78.4%) were males, and the average HVPG was 16.87±5.695. A total of 2 553 radiomics features were extracted from three sites of the portal venous phase images of abdominal enhanced CT in each patient. The 2 553 features extracted were screened using LASSO, and by combing with clinical features and radiomics features, the predictive model of HVPG was obtained: m_HVPG=31.622+ 0.028 8T×total bile acids-6.31(portal venous wavelet-LHH_glcm_ClusterShade)=0.253(portal venous wavelet-LHL_glszm_LargeAreaLowGrayLevelEmphasis)-20.9(spleen wavelet-LLH_glcm_Correlation)-0.000 127(liver original_shape_SurfaceArea)+ 2.79(liver wavelet-LLH_glcm_ClusterShade). The coefficient of determination R2 was 0.345. Conclusions:The study suggests that radiomics features of the liver, spleen, and portal venous combined with clinical features may be used as a non-invasive method to assess the portal pressure in patients with HBV-related cirrhosis.

Cardiac Tamponade/etiology* ; Female ; Humans ; Pericardial Effusion/etiology*

Objective: To analyze the course of disease and epidemiological parameters of COVID-19 and provide evidence for making prevention and control strategies. Methods: To display the distribution of course of disease of the infectors who had close contacts with COVID-19 cases from January 1 to March 15, 2020 in Guangdong Provincial, the models of Lognormal, Weibull and gamma distribution were applied. A descriptive analysis was conducted on the basic characteristics and epidemiological parameters of course of disease. Results: In total, 515 of 11 580 close contacts were infected, with an attack rate about 4.4%, including 449 confirmed cases and 66 asymptomatic cases. Lognormal distribution was fitting best for latent period, incubation period, pre-symptomatic infection period of confirmed cases and infection period of asymptomatic cases; Gamma distribution was fitting best for infectious period and clinical symptom period of confirmed cases; Weibull distribution was fitting best for latent period of asymptomatic cases. The latent period, incubation period, pre-symptomatic infection period, infectious period and clinical symptoms period of confirmed cases were 4.50 (95%CI:3.86-5.13) days, 5.12 (95%CI:4.63-5.62) days, 0.87 (95%CI:0.67-1.07) days, 11.89 (95%CI:9.81-13.98) days and 22.00 (95%CI:21.24-22.77) days, respectively. The latent period and infectious period of asymptomatic cases were 8.88 (95%CI:6.89-10.86) days and 6.18 (95%CI:1.89-10.47) days, respectively. Conclusion: The estimated course of COVID-19 and related epidemiological parameters are similar to the existing data.
COVID-19 ; Cohort Studies ; Contact Tracing ; Humans ; Incidence ; Prospective Studies

Adult ; Aged ; Antifungal Agents ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; classification ; Candida ; drug effects ; isolation & purification ; Carcinoma ; pathology ; therapy ; Cross Infection ; microbiology ; therapy ; Drug Resistance, Multiple, Fungal ; Female ; Fractures, Bone ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mycoses ; microbiology ; therapy ; Patient Care Management ; methods ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; complications ; therapy ; Surgical Wound Infection ; microbiology ; therapy ; Symptom Flare Up ; Treatment Outcome

INTRODUCTIONTinea unguium is a common nail infection. We conducted a retrospective ten-year study of the patient demographics and species distribution of dermatophytes causing tinea unguium in a tertiary hospital from Singapore.

METHODSResults of fungal nail cultures were retrieved from our hospital's microbiology department. Samples from nail scrapings and clippings were inoculated onto agar plates (Sabouraud dextrose agar with chloramphenicol and Mycosel agar). Nail specimens that grew dermatophytes were included in the study.

RESULTSOverall, 229 (male: n = 164, 71.6%; female: n = 65, 28.4%) nail specimens grew dermatophytes. Mean patient age was 58 (range 18-93) years. A majority of specimens came from patients aged over 50 years (n = 162, 70.7%) and 60-79 years (n = 100, 43.7%). Ethnically, 160 (69.9%) patients were Chinese, 36 (15.7%) Indian, 18 (7.9%) Malay and 15 (6.6%) of other ethnicities. Among dermatophytes isolated were Trichophyton rubrum (n = 93, 40.6%), Trichophyton mentagrophytes (n = 60, 26.2%), unidentified Trichophyton spp. (n = 57, 24.9%), Trichophyton tonsurans (n = 10, 4.4%), Epidermophyton floccosum (n = 5, 2.2%), Trichophyton verrucosum (n = 2, 0.9%), Trichophyton soudanense (n = 1, 0.4%) and Trichophyton violaceum (n = 1, 0.4%).

CONCLUSIONA majority of isolates were from elderly patients. Compared to Singapore's general population, patients of Indian and other ethnicities were over-represented for tinea unguium when compared to Chinese and Malay patients. Trichophyton rubrum was the most common dermatophyte isolated, while Trichophyton verrucosum, Trichophyton violaceum and Trichophyton soudanense were rare causes of tinea unguium.