ObjectiveTo retrospectively analyze the epidemiological trends of birth defects in perinatal infants in Fengxian District, Shanghai from 2018 to 2022, so as to provide a scientific evidence for the formulation of related prevention and control strategies. MethodsBased on the data from the National Birth Defects Surveillance System, statistical analysis was conducted on the perinatal birth defects from monitored hospitals within the region from 2018 to 2022. ResultsFrom 2018 to 2022, a total of 20 870 perinatal infants delivered in the monitored hospitals in Fengxian District, with 472 cases with birth defects, showing a significant increase in the prevalence of birth defects (PRR=1.49, 95%CI: 1.39‒1.59). The risk of birth defects increased with maternal age, especially for advanced maternal age (PRR=1.58, 95%CI: 1.12‒2.25). Infants born to mothers with gestational diabetes had a higher prevalence of birth defects compared to those without gestational diabetes (PRR=1.99, 95%CI: 1.46‒2.70). Infants with birth defects were more likely to be born prematurely (PRR=2.07, 95%CI:1.56‒2.76). The top three types of birth defects were congenital heart disease (CHD), other anomalies of the external ear, and polydactyly. ConclusionThe prevalence of birth defects in Fengxian District monitored hospitals showed an upward trend from 2018 to 2022. Advanced maternal age and gestational diabetes were identified as risk factors for birth defects. CHD is the leading type of birth defect in Fengxian District over the five-year period. To reduce the prevalence of birth defects, it is crucial to implement comprehensive prevention and treatment measures for CHD.

Objective:To explore the prevalence and independent associated factors of vascular calcification (VC) in non-dialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients of stage 3-5.Methods:It was a single-center cross-sectional observational study. Non-dialysis stage 3-5 CKD patients ≥18 years old who were admitted to the Department of Nephrology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from May 1, 2022 to December 31, 2022 with VC evaluation were enrolled. The patients' general information, laboratory examination and imaging data were collected. Coronary artery calcification (CAC), thoracic aorta calcification (TAC), abdominal aorta calcification (AAC), carotid artery calcification and aortic valve calcification (AVC) were evaluated by cardiac-gated electron-beam CT (EBCT) scans, lateral lumbar x-ray, cervical macrovascular ultrasound and echocardiography, respectively. The differences in clinical data and the prevalence of VC at different sites of patients with different CKD stages were compared, and the prevalence of VC at different sites of patients in different age groups [youth group (18-44 years old), middle-aged group (45-64 years old) and elderly group (≥65 years old)] and patients with or without diabetes were compared. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to analyse the independent associated factors of VC for different areas.Results:A total of 206 patients aged (51±14) years were included, including 129 (62.6%) males. There were 44 patients with CKD stage 3 (21.4%), 51 patients with CKD stage 4 (24.8%), and 111 patients with CKD stage 5 (53.9%). CKD was caused by chronic glomerulonephritis [104 cases (50.5%)], diabetic kidney damage [35 cases (17.0%)], hypertensive kidney damage [29 cases (14.1%)] and others [38 cases (18.4%)]. Among 206 patients, 131 (63.6%) exhibited cardiovascular calcification, and the prevalence of CAC, TAC, AAC, carotid artery calcification, and AVC was 37.9%, 43.7%, 37.9%, 35.9% and 9.7%, respectively. The overall prevalence of VC in young, middle-aged and elderly patients was 24.6%, 73.6% and 97.4%, respectively. With the increase of age, the prevalence of VC in each site gradually increased, and the increasing trend was statistically significant (all P<0.001). The overall prevalence of VC in CKD patients with diabetes was 92.5% (62/67), and the prevalence of VC at each site in the patients with diabetes was significantly higher than that in the patients without diabetes (all P<0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that age (every 10 years increase, OR=2.51, 95% CI 1.77-3.56, P<0.001), hypertension ( OR=5.88, 95% CI 1.57-22.10, P=0.009), and diabetes ( OR=4.66, 95% CI 2.10-10.35, P<0.001) were independently correlated with CAC; Age (every 10 years increase, OR=6.43, 95% CI 3.64-11.36, P<0.001) and hypertension ( OR=6.09, 95% CI 1.33-27.84, P=0.020) were independently correlated with TAC; Female ( OR=0.23, 95% CI 0.07-0.72, P=0.011), age (every 10 years increase, OR=3.90, 95% CI 2.42-6.29, P<0.001), diabetes ( OR=5.37, 95% CI 2.19-13.19, P<0.001) and serum magnesium ( OR=0.01,95% CI 0-0.35, P=0.014) were independently correlated with AAC. Moreover, age and diabetes were independently correlated with carotid artery calcification, AVC and overall VC Conclusions:The prevalence of VC in non-dialysis CKD patients of stage 3-5 is 63.59%, of which CAC reaches 37.9%, TAC is the most common one (43.7%), while AVC is the least one (9.7%). Age and diabetes are the independent associated factors for VC of all sites except TAC, while hypertension is an independent associated factor for both CAC and TAC.

Objective:To investigate the application of virtual reality (VR) technology on intraoperative pain in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD)-related procedures with local infiltration anesthesia and the satisfaction.Methods:It was a single-center, prospective, concurrent controlled study. Patients were divided into two groups: VR group and control group. In the VR group, patients wore a VR headset to watch soothing audio and video content during surgery, while the control group underwent routine procedures. Intraoperative pain and satisfaction were assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS) and a 5-point satisfaction scale within 30 minutes of surgery. In addition, tolerance of the VR experience in the VR group was assessed using the VR sickness questionnaire.Results:A total of 43 patients were included in the study, including 25 males (58.1%). Chronic glomerulonephritis [17 cases (39.5%)] and diabetic nephropathy [6 cases (14.0%)] were the main primary diseases. There were 23 cases in the control group and 20 cases in the VR group. There were no significant differences between the two groups in age, sex ratio, proportion of primary disease, diabetes, hypertension, distribution of operation methods, preoperative vital signs and operation time (all P>0.05). VAS pain score was significantly lower in the VR group than that in the control group (5.90±2.38 vs. 7.43±1.67, t=2.469, P=0.018). The percentage of patients who were satisfied was 89.5% (17/19) in the VR group and 78.3% (18/23) in the control group, but there was no significant difference (chi-square test for continuity correction, χ2=0.308, P=0.579). Three patients in the VR group withdrew from the study due to severe discomfort, while the remaining participants found the VR experience to be tolerable. Common adverse effects included fatigue and blurred vision. Conclusions:The application of VR technology in PD-related procedures has been effective in reducing intraoperative pain when combined with local infiltration anesthesia. Furthermore, the utilization of VR technology in PD-related procedures is associated with a safe and tolerable outcome, despite the observation of some adverse effects.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of belimumab combined with standard regimen in the treatment of active lupus nephritis (LN).Methods:It was a single-center, pre - and post-control retrospective study. The Data of active LN patients treated with belimumab combined with standard regimen in the Department of Nephrology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from June 1, 2020 to June 30, 2022 were collected for analyzing the renal response rate and adverse reactions after belimumab treatment.Results:A total of 17 patients were included, including 14 females (82.35%). The age of the first medication was (26.06±2.64) years old, the median time of illness before the use of belimumab was 24.00 (8.50, 48.50) months, and the recurrence times before the use of belimumab was (1.24±1.03) times. All the 17 patients underwent renal biopsy. The main pathological types were type IV in 11 cases (11/17), type Ⅲ+V in 2 cases (2/17), type IV+V in 3 cases (3/17), and type V in 1 case (1/17). The dose of glucocorticoids was (22.95±8.30) mg/d in 1 year before belimumab administration. In 12 patients with LN who completed 24 weeks of belimumab treatment plan, the 24-hour urinary protein showed a downward trend, and there was a statistically significant difference compared with the baseline at 24 week [0.49 (0.15, 2.19) g vs. 2.83 (1.14, 4.11) g, Z=-2.100, P=0.036]. Compared with the baseline, serum albumin at 24 week increased by 29.36%, with statistically significant difference [(34.50±3.34) g/L vs. (26.67±5.75) g/L, t=-3.840, P=0.030]. The systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index-2K score continued to decline, with statistically significant difference compared with baseline at 24 week (5.00±3.02 vs. 12.00±2.82, t=6.163, P<0.001). The lymphocyte count increased, and the difference was statistically significant compared with the baseline at 24 week [0.72(0.28, 2.39)×10 9/L vs. 0.30(0.19,0.34)×10 9/L, Z=-2.073, P=0.038]. There was a statistically significant difference between the glucocorticoids dosage at 24 week and the average glucocorticoids dosage 1 year before treatment [(11.25±6.35) mg/d vs. (22.60±9.75) mg/d, t=4.225, P=0.003]. After observation of belimumab for (38.13±22.93) weeks, patients had a complete response rate of 64.71% (11/17), a partial response rate of 17.65% (3/17), and an overall response rate of 82.35% (14/17). Relapse occurred in 1 case.No infusion-related reactions occurred in 17 patients. During the treatment, a total of 5 adverse events occurred, including 2 cases of pulmonary infection, 1 case each of sepsis, upper respiratory tract infection, and cytomegalovirus infection, which all improved after treatment and the subsequent treatment was not affected. Conclusion:Belimumab combined with standard regimen can improve the response rate of LN, reduce the recurrence rate, reduce the dosage of glucocorticoids, and control the overall adverse events with good prognosis.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the reliability and accuracy of Walker's model for estimating the sex of Han adults in western China by using cranium three-dimensional (3D) CT reconstruction, and to study the suitable cranial sex estimation model for Han people in western China. METHODS: A total of 576 cranial CT 3D reconstructed images from Hanzhong Hospital in Shaanxi Province from 2017 to 2021 were collected. These images were divided into the experimental group with 486 samples and the validation group with 90 samples. Walker's model was used by observer 1 to estimate the sex of experimental group samples. The logistic function applicable to Han people in western China was corrected by observer 1. The 90 samples in the validation group were scored and substituted into the modified logistic function to complete the back substitution test by observer 1, 2 and 3. RESULTS: The accuracy of sex estimation of Han adults in western China was 63.2%-77.2% by applying Walker's model. The accuracy of modified logistic function was 82.9%. The accuracy of sex estimation through back substitution test by 3 observers was 75.6%-91.1%, with a Kappa value of 0.689 (P<0.05) for inter-observer consistency and 0.874 (P<0.05) for intra-observer consistency. CONCLUSIONS There are great differences in bone characteristics among people from different regions. The modified logistic function can achieve higher accuracy in Han adults in western China.
Humans ; Adult ; Reproducibility of Results ; Sex Determination by Skeleton/methods* ; Forensic Anthropology ; Skull/anatomy & histology* ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; China ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Microbiology is a key basic professional course for all the students specializing in biology, biotechnology and related majors. To date, microbiology is mainly taught in Chinese within colleges and universities in China. Development of a microbiology course that is taught in English may satisfy the diversified learning needs of the students and promote the "Double First-Class" initiative. We started to teach the microbiology course in English at the East China University of Science and Technology since 2016. This practice was associated with reform and innovation in the teaching methods and contents. The microbiology course taught in English greatly attracted the interest of the attending students and helped improve their professional English learning as well as scientific research. This course provided important support for fostering innovative professional first-class undergraduates under the context of the "Double First-Class" initiative.
China ; Humans ; Learning ; Students ; Universities

Many pathogenic genes have been identified in early-onset Parkinson′s disease, but the early-onset Parkinson′s disease with 22q11.2 deletion has not been reported in Chinese. A case of early-onset Parkinson′s disease with 22q11.2 deletion was confirmed by whole-exome sequencing-based copy number variation detection in Fujian Medical University Union Hospital. This article reports its clinical characteristics and discusses its pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment management.

Objective: To understand the main influencing factors of lower limb muscle strength development in children aged 3-6 in coastal areas of Guangxi, and to provide a reference for physical education and health management physical health work for children. Methods: Using stratified cluster sampling method, a total of 15 kindergarten children perform selected from Qinzhou, Beihai and Fangcheng Gang were administered physical tests, and the parents (or guardians) received a face to face questionnaire survey, Univariate analysis and multivariate linear regression analysis were used to analyze determinant factors of lower limbs explosive force. Results: The correlation analysis of the factors affecting lower limb explosive force of children aged 3-6 years showed that there were significant differences in the correlation of 13 indicators including gender, age, height, weight, birth weight and body length, gestational age, parents’ education level, parents’ age, and mother’s height and weight(P<0.05). Furthermore, multiple linear regression analysis showed that age, gender, weight, height, father’s education level and mother’s age had significant effects on lower limb explosive force of 3-6 years old infants in Guangxi coastal areas(P<0.05). Conclusion Growth and development, as well as paternal educational level plays an important role in the development of lower limb explosive force of children aged 3-6 in coastal areas of Guangxi, while weight and length at birth, parental height and weight shows no association with it.

Objective:To assess the bacterial profiles and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns in uropathogens, and help to inform the empiric treatment decisions for urinary tract infection in outpatient settings.Methods:A single institutional retrospective analysis was performed on positive urine cultures from outpatient settings between January 1998 and December 2018. To analyze changes over time, trends analysis were undertaken on bacterial profiles, antimicrobial susceptibility and resistance.Results:A total of 1.172 pathogenic bacteria were isolated after exclusion of duplicate strains originated from the same patient, including 991(84.6%) Gram-negative bacterial strains and 181(15.4%) Gram-positive strains. The most common Gram-negative uropathogens were Escherichia coli (60.8%) and Klebsiella pneumonia (8.1%). Enterococcus faecalis (4.6%) was the predominant Gram-positive strain. The detection rate of Escherichia coli increased significantly, from 50.8% to 63.2% ( χ2=7.978, P=0.046), and no significant difference was observed in the distribution of major uropathogenic bacteria over the 20 years (all P>0.05). The proportion of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBLs) producing strains increased significantly across the 20 years ( P<0.05). The resistance rates of Escherichia coli to amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium, aztreonam, ceftazidime, ciprofloxacin and sulbactam + cefoperazone increased significantly (all P<0.05). All the isolates sustained high susceptibility to tazobactam + piperacillin, amikacin, imipenem and nitrofurantoin (95.0%, 95.7%, 97.9% and 91.1%). Similar to those of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae remained a high and stable sensitivity to tazobactam+piperacillin, amikacin and imipenem during the 20 years (79.1%, 88.0% and 80.3%). However, the proportion of ESBLs producing strains increased significantly ( P<0.05). Among Gram-positive bacteria isolates, the sensitivity rates of Enterococcus faecalis to ampicillin, nitrofurantoin and penicillin G were 100.0%. No vancomycin resistant strain was detected in Gram-positive bacteria. Conclusions:From 1998 to 2018, Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae are the most common Gram-negative bacteria uropathogens obtained in outpatient settings. Significant increases of resistance to some antimicrobial agents such as second- and third-generation cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones are observed during the 20 years and high susceptibilities to tazobactam+piperacillin, amikacin, imipenem and nitrofurantoin sustain over time. Local treatment strategies of urinary tract infections on outpatient basis should be made according to epidemiology of drug resistance and individual characteristics to control the spread and curb the prevalence of drug resistant.

Objective:To evaluate the prevalence of masked hypertension defined by home blood pressure monitoring in patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD) and examine its determinants.Methods:The patients who performed PD in the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2013 were recruited. Baseline demographic, clinical and biochemical examination data were collected to analyze the prevalence and clinical characteristics in patients with masked hypertension defined by home blood pressure monitoring. Multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze the related risk factors of masked hypertension in PD patients with clinic normotension.Results:There were 1 425 patients (866 males) enrolled in this study, with age of (46.9±14.9) years and body mass index of (21.6±3.1) kg/m 2. The prevalence of masked hypertension in PD patients was 31.9%, and the prevalence of masked hypertension in patients with clinic normotension was 57.5%. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that higher body mass index ( OR=1.057, 95% CI 1.001-1.116, P=0.047), incorporating diabetes mellitus ( OR=1.996, 95% CI 1.160-3.433, P=0.013), use of multiple antihypertensive drugs ( OR=1.336, 95% CI 1.122-1.590, P=0.001) and elevated office blood pressure ( OR=1.785, 95% CI 1.546-2.060, P<0.001) were independent risk factors of masked hypertension in PD patients with clinic normotension. Conclusions:The prevalence of masked hypertension is high in PD patients. Higher body mass index, incorporating diabetes mellitus, use of multiple antihypertensive drugs and elevated office blood pressure are independent risk factors for masked hypertension in PD patients with clinic normotension.