ObjectiveTo investigate the prevalence rate of chronic non-communicable diseases （NCDs） and the association with quality of life in middle-aged and elderly patients with HIV/AIDS. MethodsThis cross-sectional study surveyed 432 patients with HIV/AIDS （aged≥45 years） in the Infectious Disease Center in Guangzhou Eighth People’s Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University， and 366 participants were included in the analysis after quality control. A questionnaire and the EuroQol 5-Dimensional 3-level version （EQ-5D-3L） were used to investigate NCDs and quality of life and Tobit regression model was used to estimate the association between chronic diseases and quality of life. ResultsAmong the 366 participants， 29（7.9%） had cardiovascular disease， 45（12.3%） had hypertension， 122（33.3%） had hyperglycemia， 151（41.3%）had hyperlipidemia，7（1.9%） had cancer， 17 （4.6%） had chronic kidney disease， 38 （10.4%） had chronic liver disease， 21（5.7%） had musculoskeletal disorders， and 253（69.1%） suffered from at least one type of chronic diseases. The median （lower and upper quartiles） of EQ-5D utility index was 1.000（0.964~1.000）. Multivariate Tobit regression results of the total population showed that cancer ［b_a=-0.08，95%CI （-0.15，-0.01），P=0.036］， chronic kidney disease ［b_a=-0.07， 95%CI （-0.12，-0.02），P=0.006］， musculoskeletal disease ［b_a=-0.09， 95%CI （-0.13， -0.05），P<0.001］， and ≥3 types of chronic diseases［b_a=-0.05， 95%CI（-0.08，-0.01），P=0.013］ were negatively correlated with EQ-5D utility index. The stratified analysis results of different CD4+T cell levels showed that hypertension ［b_a=-0.07， 95%CI （-0.12， -0.02）， P=0.007］， chronic kidney disease ［b_a=-0.10，95%CI （-0.18，-0.03）， P=0.006］， musculoskeletal disease ［b_a=-0.15， 95%CI （-0.22，-0.07）， P<0.001］ and ≥3 types of chronic diseases ［b_a=-0.09， 95%CI （-0.09， -0.01）， P<0.001］ were negatively correlated with EQ-5D utility index in the group with CD4≤500 （cells/μL）， whereas cancer［b_a=-0.11， 95%CI （-0.20，-0.01）， P=0.031］ was negatively correlated with EQ-5D utility index in the group with CD4＞500（cells/μL）. ConclusionsThe prevalence rate of chronic non-communicable diseases in middle-aged and elderly patients with HIV/AIDS is relatively high. The classification of NCDs such as cancer or chronic kidney disease or other chronic diseases and the numbers of NCDs categories are negatively correlated with quality of life. However，this association varies among patients with HIV/AIDS of different CD4+T cell levels. It is suggested that we should try to prevent and identify NCDs at an early stage， strengthen linkages and integration of health services for AIDS and chronic NCDs， and jointly manage and control AIDS with chronic diseases to improve the quality of life among people living with HIV/AIDS.

Objective:To construct a recombinant bioluminescent bacteriophage (HT7) targeting Escherichia coli, and evaluate its ability to identify Escherichia coli. Methods:Initially, pCRISPR-sg (1-10) and PFN-1000 plasmid strains were constructed by genetic engineering, and the most efficient small guild RNA (sgRNA) were screened by bilayer plate. By the gene editing technique, which comprised homologous recombination and clustered regularly interspaced short palin dromic repeats (CRISPR)-Cas system, the Nanoluc luciferase gene was integrated into the downstream non-coding region of 10A gene of T7 phage, to constructe the bioluminescent phage HT7 successfully. The difference of biological characteristics between HT7 phage and T7 phage was evaluated by plaque assay and liquid amplification assay. In addition, 51 strains of Escherichia coli, 20 strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae, 14 strains of Staphylococcus aureus, 6 strains of Enterococcus faecium, 5 strains of Enterococcus faecalis, 3 strains of Acinetobacter baumannii and 1 strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were collected and isolated to evaluate the limit of detection and specificity of HT7 phage. Results:Among the 10 CRISPR-targeted cleavage systems constructed, sgRNA8 exhibited the highest cleavage efficiency, with a cleavage rate of 0.18. After three rounds of recombination screening using the pCas9/pCRISPR/PFN-1000 triple-plasmid system, PCR validation yielded recombinant phage bands at 2 798 bp, indicating the successful construction of the HT7 phage. The recombinant phage showed significant differences in biological characteristics in terms of lysis efficiency ( P<0.001), one-step growth curve ( P=0.001), and infection multiplicity ( P=0.031). Both lysis burst time and log growth node were extended by 10 min, with the optimal infection multiplicity being 0.1. Clinical sample testing identified lysis of 6 strains of Escherichia coli within 4.5 h, while other strains remained unaffected, with detection of pathogenic bacteria below 10 CFU/ml. Conclusions:The developed pCas9/pCRISPR/PFN-1000 triple-plasmid editing system efficiently edits the bacteriophage genome. The constructed HT7 fluorescent bacteriophage enables the detection of Escherichia coli below 10 CFU/ml within 4.5 hours, demonstrating low detection limits and high detection specificity.

BACKGROUND:The specific molecular mechanism of the transformation from normal healthy people to acute cervical spondylotic radiculopathy has not been clear,which needs to be further studied. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the differential expression of serum proteomics between normal healthy people and patients with acute cervical spondylotic radiculopathy,and to find and identify potential specific serum markers between them. METHODS:The serum samples of eight patients with acute cervical spondylotic radiculopathy and eight normal healthy people were collected,and the proteomic screening and analysis were performed by tandem mass tag combined with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry technology,in order to explore and identify serum proteins differentially expressed in patients with acute cervical spondylotic radiculopathy. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:A total of 183 significantly differential proteins were screened by tandem mass tag technology,and 11 significantly differential proteins were identified(P＜0.05).Compared with normal healthy people,three differential proteins were significantly up-regulated,including human leukocyte antigen-A,secretoglobin family 1a member 1,and protein 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase,and seven differential proteins were significantly down-regulated,such as immunoglobulin heavy constant gamma 3,skin factor,and myosin light chain 3,in patients with acute cervical spondylotic radiculopathy.Gene ontology enrichment analysis showed that these differential proteins participated in antigen binding,immunoglobulin receptor binding and other molecular functions.Protein-protein interaction analysis showed that among the common differential proteins between normal healthy people and patients with acute cervical spondylotic radiculopathy,HLA-A,HPD,PSMA3,DMKN,SCGB1A1,and MYL3 were located at the nodes of the functional network,and were closely related to the systems of body immunity,cellular inflammatory response,energy metabolism,and mechanical pressure.The significantly differential proteins HLA-A,HPD and MYL3 were verified by western blot,and the results were consistent with those of proteomics.To conclude,tandem mass tag combined with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry technology can be used to find the differentially expressed proteins in serum between normal healthy people and patients with acute cervical spondylotic radiculopathy.It is preliminarily believed that HLA-A,HPD and MYL3 may be specific serum markers of acute cervical spondylotic radiculopathy,providing a new direction for further research on its pathogenesis.

Objective To investigate the effects of dexmedetomidine(Dex)on osteoporosis(OP)rats and possible mechanisms.Methods The rats were divided into sham operation group,osteoporosis model group(OP,replica-ting the OP rat model with bilateral ovariectomies),Dex-L,M,and H(Dex low,medium,and high dose treat-ments)groups and Dex-H+XAV-939 group(Wnt/β-catenin pathway inhibitor).Micro-CT was applied to meas-ure bone mineral density(BMD)and bone microstructure of rat femurs.The three-point bending experiment was applied to analyze the biomechanics of the femur(maximum load,fracture deflection,elastic modulus).HE stai-ning was applied to observe pathological changes in the femur of rats.ELISA method was applied to evaluate bone metabolism indicators such as alkaline phosphatase(ALP),typeⅠ procollagen amino-terminal peptide(PINP)and typeⅠcollagen cross-linked C-telopeptide(CTX-Ⅰ).The expression of Runx2 and Wnt3a was examined by Immunohistochemistry.Western blot was applied to detect the protein expression of Runx2 and Wnt3a/β-catenin pathway in femoral tissue.Results Compared to the Sham group,the bone volume and number of trabeculae in OP group were obviously reduced,the maximum load,fracture deflection,elastic modulus,BMD,Tb.Th,Tb.N,BV/TV,ALP,PINP,Runx2,Wnt3a,β-catenin expression decreased,CTX-Ⅰ increased(P＜0.05).Compared to the OP group,the bone trabecular structure in the Dex-L,M,and H groups was restored,the maxi-mum load,fracture deflection,elastic modulus,BMD,Tb.Th,Tb.N,BV/TV,ALP,PINP,Runx2,Wnt3a,β-catenin expression all increased but CTX-Ⅰ decreased(P＜0.05).Compared to the Dex-H group,the bone trabecular injury in the Dex-H+XAV-939 group showed a more severe damage.The maximum load,fracture de-flection,elastic modulus,BMD,Tb.Th,Tb.N,BV/TV,ALP,PINP,Runx2,Wnt3a,β-catenin expression decreased while CTX-Ⅰ increased(P＜0.05).Conclusions Dex may antagonize OP effects by improving bone density,biomechanical properties and microstructure.The underlying mechanism might be related to the activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

Ferroptosis is regarded as a novel and regulatable form of cell death, with its main characteristics being abnormal iron metabolism and the accumulation of lipid peroxides. Although there have been breakthroughs in the research of ferroptosis in tumors and degenerative diseases, its research in skin diseases is relatively scarce. Starting from the development of the concept of ferroptosis, this article expounds the basic characteristics and regulatory mechanisms of ferroptosis. In the field of skin diseases, we emphasize the importance of ferroptosis and discuss in detail the research and application of ferroptosis in various skin diseases, aiming to provide effective guidance for the treatment and clinical practice of various skin diseases, and offer new ideas for the future research direction of skin diseases.

Objective:To explore the early effects and safety of using a hybrid fixation strategy with 3D-printed porous tantalum metal augments to reconstruct substantial bone defects in complex primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA).Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data from August 2019 to September 2023, encompassing 20 patients (21 knees) with significant bone loss who underwent hybrid fixation with 3D-printed porous tantalum augments. The procedures were conducted at two medical centers: the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University (11 cases) and Xiangya Hospital of Central South University (9 cases). The study cohort comprised 6 males (6 knees) and 14 females (15 knees), with a mean age of 61.05±11.23 years (range, 42-80 years). The distribution of cases was 7 on the left side and 14 on the right side. All cases were categorized as type 3 according to the Anderson Orthopaedic Research Institute (AORI) classification system. The cohort included 19 unilateral and 1 bilateral case, with 5 involving complex primary replacements (3 with Charcot arthropathy, 1 with syphilitic arthropathy, and 1 with severe valgus deformity) and 16 revision surgeries (13 for aseptic loosening and 3 for infection). Preoperative assessments included routine CT scans and digital three-dimensional reconstructions to identify large metaphyseal defects exceeding 50% of the metaphyseal area or those thicker than 10 mm. For such defects, 3D-printed standardized porous tantalum augments were implemented. In cases of extensive cavitary bone defects or severe metaphyseal defects where the medial and lateral defects collectively exceeded 80% of the metaphyseal region or where the residual bone stock was insufficient for screw fixation of standardized augments, 3D-printed personalized custom-made porous tantalum augments were employed for hybrid fixation and repair. Comparative analyses were conducted on pre- and postoperative imaging data (prosthesis positioning and complications), knee range of motion (ROM), visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, and Knee Society score (KSS).Results:Of the cases, 17 were repaired using standardized 3D-printed porous tantalum augments, while 4 underwent repairs with customized augments for hybrid fixation. Follow-up averaged 26.5±15.0 months (range, 12-62 months). There was a significant increase in knee ROM, improving from 72.8°±31.9° preoperatively to 113.2°±6.8° at 12 months postoperatively ( P<0.05). VAS scores decreased from 6.6±1.4 preoperatively to 2.5±1.0 at 12 months postoperatively ( P<0.05). Similarly, KSS improved from 52.8±6.4 preoperatively to 80.7±7.9 at 12 months postoperatively ( P<0.05). There were no incidences of prosthesis displacement, poor bone integration, or postoperative infections. Conclusion:The hybrid fixation strategy employing 3D-printed porous tantalum augments has been found to be effective in addressing significant bone defects in TKA. The follow-up results indicate a satisfactory biological integration of the porous tantalum metal augments with the host bone, which has resulted in substantial improvements in pain relief and knee joint functionality.

Objective:To explore the mechanism of herb-partitioned moxibustion in relieving rat intestinal inflammation by focusing on the neutrophil extracellular traps(NETs)in Crohn disease(CD)development. Methods:Rats were randomly divided into a normal group,a model group,a herb-partitioned moxibustion group,and a mesalazine group.The CD rat model was prepared with 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid except for rats in the normal group.Rats in the normal group and model group did not receive any treatment but had the same fixation as the other groups.Rats in the herb-partitioned moxibustion group received herb-partitioned moxibustion at Qihai(CV6)and bilateral Tianshu(ST25).Rats in the mesalazine group received intragastric administration of mesalazine enteric-coated tablets.The general situation of rats in each group was recorded,and the histopathological changes in the colon were observed and scored by hematoxylin-eosin staining.The serum concentrations of NETs DNA(NETs-DNA),neutrophil elastase(NE)-DNA,and myeloperoxidase(MPO)-DNA were detected by ABC enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay,and the citrullinated histone 3(citH3),MPO,and NE protein and mRNA expression levels in rat colon tissue were observed by immunofluorescence and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results:Compared with the normal group,the mucosal ulcer reached the muscularis,the epithelium was incomplete,the goblet cells decreased obviously with significant inflammatory cell infiltration in the colon;the colonic mucosa damage index(CMDI)score increased significantly(P<0.01);the serum NETs-DNA,NE-DNA,and MPO-DNA concentrations increased(P<0.05);the NE,citH3,and MPO protein and mRNA expression in the colonic tissue increased significantly in the model group(P<0.01 or P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the mucosal epithelium in the herb-partitioned moxibustion group and the mesalazine group was repaired and the goblet cells increased with a few infiltrating inflammatory cells in the colon;the CMDI score decreased(P<0.01);the serum NETs-DNA,NE-DNA,and MPO-DNA concentrations decreased(P<0.05);the NE,citH3,and MPO protein and mRNA expression in the colonic tissue was down-regulated(P<0.01 or P<0.05). Conclusion:Herb-partitioned moxibustion reduced the serum NETs complex and inhibited the protein and mRNA expression of NETs complex in the colon tissue,which may be one mechanism of herb-partitioned moxibustion in relieving colon mucosal inflammation in CD.

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of da Vinci Xi robotic surgical system assisted pylorus and vagus preserving partial gastrectomy (RaPPG) for early gastric cancer.Methods:The retrospective cohort study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 40 patients with early gastric cancer who were admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University from December 2020 to November 2022 were collected. There were 26 males and 14 females, aged (64±8)years. Of the 40 patients, 19 patients undergoing da Vinci Xi RaPPG were divided into the robotic assisted group, and 21 patients undergoing laparoscopic assisted pylorus and vagus preserving partial gastrectomy (PPG) were divided into the laparoscopic control group. Observation indicators: (1) surgical situations; (2) postoperative complications; (3) follow-up. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean± SD, and comparison between groups was conducted using the independent t test. Measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M( Q1, Q3) or M(range), and comparison between groups was conducted using the Mann-Whitney U test. Count data were described as absolute numbers, and comparison between groups was conducted using the chi-square test or Fisher exact probability. Comparison of ordinal data was conducted using the rank sum test. Results:(1) Surgical situations. All patients in the two groups underwent surgery successfully, without conversion to laparotomy. The operation time, volume of intraoperative blood loss, time to postoperative first flatus, time to postoperative first liquid food intake, time to post-operative drainage tube removal, duration of postoperative hospital stay, tumor diameter, distance from distal resection margin to tumor were (298±52)minutes, 10(10, 10)mL, 3.0(3.0, 3.0)days, 3.0(3.0,4.0)days, 6.0(6.0,8.0)days, 7.0(6.0,8.0)days, (2.3±0.7)cm, 3.0(2.0,3.0)cm in patients of the robotic assisted group, versus (236±37)minutes, 25(15,50)mL, 5.0(4.0,5.0)days, 6.0(5.5,7.0)days, 8.0(8.0,9.5)days, 8.0(7.5,9.5)days, (2.9±1.1)cm ,2.0(1.5,2.0)cm in patients of the laparoscopic control group, showing significant differences in the above indicators between the two groups ( t=4.41, Z=-3.38, -4.75, -4.38, -2.98, -2.58, t=-2.10, Z=-3.03, P<0.05). (2) Postoperative complications. Cases with postoperative complications, cases with delayed gastric emptying, cases with acid regurgita-tion, cases with atelectasis, cases with infection of incision, cases with hyperamylasemia, cases with uroschesis were 6, 1, 1, 0, 1, 3, 0 in patients of the robotic assisted group. The above indicators were 20, 4, 3, 2, 1, 9, 1 in patients of the laparoscopic control group. There was a significant difference in the postoperative complications between the two groups ( &chi;2=17.77, P<0.05). (3) Follow-up. Of the 40 patients, 34 patients were followed up. There were 16 patients in the robotic assisted group who were followed up for 9(range, 6-18)months, and there were 18 patients in the laparoscopic control group who were followed up for 16(range, 9-23)months. During the follow-up period, all patients had good anastomosis healing, pyloric contraction function, and gastric emptying function. Conclusions:da Vinci Xi RaPPG is safe and feasible for the treatment of early gastric cancer. Compared with laparoscopic assisted PPG, treatment of gastric cancer with da Vinci Xi RaPPG can significantly reduce the volume of intraoperative blood loss, shorten the time to postoperative first flatus, time to postoperative first liquid food intake, time to postoperative drainage tube removal, duration of postoperative hospital stay, benefit the distance from distal resection margin to tumor, and reduce the incidence of postoperative complications.

With the continuous development of evidence-based medicine, increasing attention has been paid to the construction of a large medical database to ensure a source of high quality real-world data. The Chinese Medical Association Colorectal Surgery Group created the Chinese Colorectal Cancer Surgery Database (CCCD), whose objective is to promote the development of colorectal surgery and improve patient prognosis with evidence-based medicine theory. Compared to major databases around the world, CCCD contains more comprehensive information on colorectal cancer surgical cases, recording the main epidemiological characteristics and detailed surgical information, but perioperative treatment data still need to be strengthened. It is necessary to continuously expand the coverage, enrich perioperative data and strengthen data, quality control. In the future, CCCD is expected to play a role in promoting homogenization of medical services, promoting smooth and effective graded diagnosis and treatment, giving full role to the characteristics of each center to achieve integrated development, and connecting real-world data and artificial intelligence.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of Wendler Glottoplasty to elevate vocal pitch in transgender women. Methods: The voice parameters of pre-and 3-month post-surgery of 29 transgender women who underwent Wendler Glottoplasty in department of otorhinolaryngology head and neck surgery of Beijing Friendship Hospital from January, 2017 to October, 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. The 29 transgender women ranged in age from 19-47 (27.0±6.3) years old. Subjective evaluation was performed using Transsexual Voice Questionnaire for Male to Female (TVQ^MtF). Objective parameters included fundamental frequency (F₀), highest pitch, lowest pitch, habitual volume, Jitter, Shimmer, maximal phonation time (MPT), noise to harmonic ratio (NHR) and formants frequencies(F1, F2, F3, F4). SPSS 25.0 software was used for statistically analysis. Results: Three months after surgery, the score of TVQ^MtF was significantly decreased [(89.9±14.7) vs. (50.4±13.6), t=11.49, P<0.001]. The F₀ was significantly elevated [(152.7±23.3) Hz vs. (207.7±45.9) Hz, t=-6.03, P<0.001]. Frequencies of F1, F2 and F3 were significantly elevated. No statistical difference was observed in the frequencies of F4. The highest pitch was not significantly altered while the lowest pitch was significantly elevated [(96.8±17.7) Hz vs. (120.0±28.9) Hz, t=-3.71, P=0.001]. Habitual speech volume was significantly increased [(60.0±5.2) dB vs. (63.6±9.6) dB, t=-2.12, P=0.043]. Jitter, Shimmer, NHR and MPT were not obviously altered (P>0.05). Conclusions: Wendler Glottoplasty could notably elevate the vocal pitch, formants frequencies and degree of vocal femininity in transgender women without affecting phonation ability and voice quality. It can be an effective treatment modality for voice feminization.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Young Adult ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Transgender Persons ; Retrospective Studies ; Speech Acoustics ; Voice Quality ; Phonation