Introduction: Early identification of patients at risk for severe multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is essential for favourable clinical outcomes. This study aims to identify the clinical characteristics, factors and outcomes associated with severe MIS-C. Materials and methods: In this retrospective cohort study involving 14 major hospitals in Malaysia, children <15 years who met the United States Centres for Disease Control and Prevention case definition for MIS-C were included. Severe MIS-C was defined as children who required inotropic support, ventilatory support (invasive or non-invasive ventilation), or left ventricular ejection fraction of <55%. The factors investigated for severe MIS-C were demographic characteristics, the presence of comorbidities, clinical characteristics, and laboratory measures. Multivariable logistic regression was used to compute the adjusted odds ratio (aORs) of factors associated with severe MIS-C. Results: Among the 155 patients, 91 (58.7%) presented with severe MIS-C. Severe MIS-C was more likely in patients aged ≥5 years old (aOR 2.13, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.08-4.21), with dehydration (aOR 3.80, 95% CI 1.53-9.45), lethargy (aOR 2.02, 95% CI 0.97-4.18), tachycardia (aOR 8.33, 95% CI 3.27-21.22), albumin <30g/L (aOR 3.36, 95% CI 1.58-7.13), creatine kinase >200U/L (aOR 3.68, 95% CI 1.57-8.64), D-dimer >3.0µg/mL (aOR 2.11, 95% CI 1.08-4.13), ferritin >500ng/mL (aOR 3.77, 95% CI 1.88-7.55), prothrombin time >12.7 seconds (aOR 3.22, 95% CI 1.61-6.43), and urea >6mmol/L (aOR 5.09, 95% CI 2.04-12.71). Conclusion: Identification of these associated factors of severity in MIS-C could aid in early recognition and prompt escalation of care, leading to better outcomes.

Objective:To observe the clinical effect of lower eyelid blepharoplasty combined with micro-autologous fat transplantation (MAFT) in the rejuvenation of the infraorbital regions.Method:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of patients with lower eyelid pouch and tear trough treated with lower eyelid blepharoplasty combined with MAFT in the Department of Plastic Surgery of Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine from March 2020 to March 2022. Patients seeked medical attention due to lower eyelid pouch and tear trough, with or without skin laxity, and some patients had varying degrees of midface depression. After preoperative examination and evaluation of the patient’s infraorbital area and midfacial depression, appropriate individualized plans were developed.The patient underwent lower eyelid blepharoplasty by transconjunctival approach combined with tear trough MAFT. For patients with low or depressed midface, midface MAFT was also performed, and for patients with skin laxity, skin removal surgery was performed simultaneously. Complications were recorded after the operation. Preoperative and postoperative photos of more than 6 months were taken with the same postion and delivered to the same doctor to grade the patient’s Barton classification (0-3 grades, with higher grade indicating more obvious tear trough deformity). The improvement of tear trough deformity after surgery was assessed, and the global aesthetic improvement scale (GAIS) score was also assessed. The patients evaluated their improvement using the patients aesthetic improvement scale (PAIS) score (GAIS and PAIS are both 1-5 points, with higher scores indicating more significant postoperative improvement). Normal distribution metric data was represented by Mean±SD, and count data was represented by frequency and/or percentage; skewed distribution metric data was represented by M ( Q1, Q3), and compared by rank sum test. Results:A total of 69 patients were enrolled, including 9 males and 60 females, aged 25-45 years, with an average age of 36.7 years. Among them, 35 patients had midfacial depression, and 11 patients had skin laxity. (0.37±0.07) ml (0.2-0.6 ml) of micro-autologous fat was injected into the orbicularis oculi muscle on each side; (0.18±0.06) ml (0.1-0.2 ml) of micro-autologous fat was injected into the subcutaneous layer on each side; (3.80±0.98) ml (3-5 ml) of micro-autologous fat was injected into the deep medial cheek fat compartment and pyriform aperture fat compartment on each side. No serious complications occurred after the surgery. Postoperative follow-up lasted for 6-13 months, with an average of 8.7 months. The patient’s lower eyelid pouch, tear trough deformity, and depression in the midface have all improved, presenting a youthful and smooth appearance from the infraorbital area to the midface. The skin texture in the lower eyelid area had also improved. At the last follow-up, the Barton classification of the lacrimal groove decreased compared with that before surgery, and the difference was statistically significant [grade 0 (0, 1) vs. grade 2 (1, 2), Z=-7.62, P<0.001]. At the last follow-up, the PAIS score of 69 patients was 5 points in 49 cases (71%) and 4 points in 20 cases (29%); doctor’s GAIS score was 5 points in 38 cases (55%), 4 points in 27 cases (39%), and 3 points in 4 cases (6%) . Conclusion:For those patients with aging status of infraorbital region, like lower eyelid pouch and tear trough deformities, the combination of lower eyelid blepharoplasty through the transconjunctival approach and MAFT can achieve good therapeutic effects. This method is safe with a short recovery time.

Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) typically have a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases, including coronary artery disease (CAD). Currently, the gold standard for diagnosing the severity of coronary artery lesions in T2DM patients is coronary angiography (CAG). This retrospective analysis reviewed data from T2DM patients who underwent CAG at Hengshui People′s Hospital between May 2020 and July 2022. Utilizing multivariate logistic regression analysis, factors associated with the severity of coronary artery stenosis in T2DM patients were identified. Based on these findings, a predictive model was developed to evaluate CAD severity in T2DM patients, incorporating smoking history, elevated triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index, and elevated monocyte to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (MHR). The combination of the TyG index and MHR model provides insights into coronary artery stenosis severity in T2DM patients, potentially reducing unnecessary invasive CAG procedures.

Objective:To observe the clinical effect of lower eyelid blepharoplasty combined with micro-autologous fat transplantation (MAFT) in the rejuvenation of the infraorbital regions.Method:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of patients with lower eyelid pouch and tear trough treated with lower eyelid blepharoplasty combined with MAFT in the Department of Plastic Surgery of Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine from March 2020 to March 2022. Patients seeked medical attention due to lower eyelid pouch and tear trough, with or without skin laxity, and some patients had varying degrees of midface depression. After preoperative examination and evaluation of the patient’s infraorbital area and midfacial depression, appropriate individualized plans were developed.The patient underwent lower eyelid blepharoplasty by transconjunctival approach combined with tear trough MAFT. For patients with low or depressed midface, midface MAFT was also performed, and for patients with skin laxity, skin removal surgery was performed simultaneously. Complications were recorded after the operation. Preoperative and postoperative photos of more than 6 months were taken with the same postion and delivered to the same doctor to grade the patient’s Barton classification (0-3 grades, with higher grade indicating more obvious tear trough deformity). The improvement of tear trough deformity after surgery was assessed, and the global aesthetic improvement scale (GAIS) score was also assessed. The patients evaluated their improvement using the patients aesthetic improvement scale (PAIS) score (GAIS and PAIS are both 1-5 points, with higher scores indicating more significant postoperative improvement). Normal distribution metric data was represented by Mean±SD, and count data was represented by frequency and/or percentage; skewed distribution metric data was represented by M ( Q1, Q3), and compared by rank sum test. Results:A total of 69 patients were enrolled, including 9 males and 60 females, aged 25-45 years, with an average age of 36.7 years. Among them, 35 patients had midfacial depression, and 11 patients had skin laxity. (0.37±0.07) ml (0.2-0.6 ml) of micro-autologous fat was injected into the orbicularis oculi muscle on each side; (0.18±0.06) ml (0.1-0.2 ml) of micro-autologous fat was injected into the subcutaneous layer on each side; (3.80±0.98) ml (3-5 ml) of micro-autologous fat was injected into the deep medial cheek fat compartment and pyriform aperture fat compartment on each side. No serious complications occurred after the surgery. Postoperative follow-up lasted for 6-13 months, with an average of 8.7 months. The patient’s lower eyelid pouch, tear trough deformity, and depression in the midface have all improved, presenting a youthful and smooth appearance from the infraorbital area to the midface. The skin texture in the lower eyelid area had also improved. At the last follow-up, the Barton classification of the lacrimal groove decreased compared with that before surgery, and the difference was statistically significant [grade 0 (0, 1) vs. grade 2 (1, 2), Z=-7.62, P<0.001]. At the last follow-up, the PAIS score of 69 patients was 5 points in 49 cases (71%) and 4 points in 20 cases (29%); doctor’s GAIS score was 5 points in 38 cases (55%), 4 points in 27 cases (39%), and 3 points in 4 cases (6%) . Conclusion:For those patients with aging status of infraorbital region, like lower eyelid pouch and tear trough deformities, the combination of lower eyelid blepharoplasty through the transconjunctival approach and MAFT can achieve good therapeutic effects. This method is safe with a short recovery time.

Assessment is an indispensable and critical activity in the educational process. In the recent decades, with the birth and development of competence-based educational paradigm, the rationale behind assessment is shifting from "assessment of learning" to "assessment for learning". Workplace-based assessment (WPBA), which aims to improve the quality of both learning and teaching through assessment in real workplace circumstances, is a set of assessment tools that conforms to the new concepts of medical education. In this article, with the purpose to promote the application of WPBA and thus enhance the quality of dental education in our country, a thorough discussion is performed regarding the core principles, tools, advantages of WPBA as well as attentions that should be noted when applying WPBA. It is recommended to establish a longitudinal assessment system which employs various WPBA tools and assesses the development of students' competencies through the whole educational process. Such a dynamic assessment system may be helpful to provide all-rounded and competent dental talents who can eventually benefit the society.

Objective To explore the correlation between sarcopenia and body fat percentage(BF%)in elderly male patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).Methods A total of 291 elderly male T2DM patients who were hospitalized in the Endocrinology Department of Xuanwu Hospital,Capital Medical University were enrolled in this study from December 2018 to September 2019.All the patients were divided into sarcopenia group(n=35)and non sarcopenia group(n=256).BF%,skeletal muscle mass index(SMI),grip strength,gait speed,HbA1c,hemoglobin(Hb),blood uric acid(SUA),albumin and vitamin D(Vit D)were measured in all the participants.Results Compared with the non sarcopenia group,age,HbA1c and BF%were increased,while BMI,Vit D,SMI,Hb,SUA,ALB,grip strength,and gait speedwere decreased in sarcopenia group(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).Pearson correlation analysis showed that SMI was positively correlated with BMI,Vit D,Hb,and SUA(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01),and negatively correlated with HbA1c(P＜0.01).Grip strength and gait speed are positively correlated with Vit D and Hb(P＜0.01),and negatively correlated with BF%(P＜0.01).Logistic regression analysis showed that age and BF%were risk factors for sarcopenia,while BMI and Vit D were protective factors for sarcopenia.Conclusions High BF%significantly increases the risk of sarcopenia in elderly male T2DM patients.

Objective:To evaluate the clinical application of urine sediment score (USS) in early diagnosis, etiological differentiation, staging and prognosis of acute kidney injury (AKI), and to investigate the diagnostic efficacy of independent USS and its combination with blood urea nitrogen(Bun) serum creatinine(sCr) and uric acid(UA) in AKI.Methods:From August 23 to September 28, 2023, 9 020 morning urine samples of hospitalized patients in the First Hospital of Jilin University were detected by Sysmex UF5000.A total of 3 226 ssamples with small and round cell (SRC) > 1/μl and/or CAST>1/μl were screened for microscopic examination, and 404 cases with positive renal tubular epithelial cells and/or cast were enrolled in this study. There were 218 males and 186 females, aged 59.5 (49.0, 71.0) years. The 404 cases were divided into the USS AKI group (345 cases) and the USS non-AKI group (59 cases) according to the USS results based on the microscopic findings. According to Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) criteria, they were divided into KDIGO criteria AKI group (63 cases) and KDIGO criteria non-AKI group (341 cases), and the AKI group was divided into renal AKI group (33 cases) and non-renal AKI group (30 cases). According to the clinical diagnosis recorded in the medical records, they were divided into clinically diagnosed AKI group (29 cases) and clinically diagnosed non-AKI group (375 cases).The χ 2 test or Fisher exact test was used to compare USS in different AKI causes and stages. Logistic regression was used to calculate the odds ratio of renal AKI and stage 3 AKI. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was used to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of USS, sCr, UA and Bun alone and in combination in the diagnosis of AKI, and the best cut-off value, sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of AKI were calculated. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results:The USS was used to identify the etiology of KDIGO standard AKI group,and there were significant differences in USS between renal AKI group and non-renal AKI group (χ 2=11.070, P<0.001). Compared to USS=1, the odds ratio of renal AKI was 8.125 when USS≥2 (95% CI 2.208—29.901). There was a statistically significant difference in the comparison of USS between groups in each stage of the AKI staging study based on USS (χ 2=15.724, P<0.05). Compared to USS=1, the odds ratio of stage 3 AKI was 9.714 when USS≥2 (95% CI 1.145-82.390). The AUC of independent USS in the diagnosis of AKI was 0.687 (95% CI 0.618-0.757, P<0.001), the specificity was 65.7% and the sensitivity was 61.9%. The AUC of USS combined with Bun, sCr, UA in the diagnosis of AKI was 0.794 (95% CI 0.608-0.980, P<0.05), the specificity was 82.4%, and the sensitivity was 88.9%. Conclusions:There wasan increased likelihood of renal AKI or stage 3 AKI while USS≥2,and whose combination with Bun, sCr and UA will improve the diagnostic efficiency of AKI.

Background/Aims: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) has become an increasingly important health challenge, with a substantial rise linked to changing lifestyles and global obesity. Ursolic acid, a natural pentacyclic triterpenoid, has been explored for its potential therapeutic effects. Given its multifunctional bioactive properties, this research further revealed the pharmacological mechanisms of ursolic acid on MASLD. Methods: Drug target chips and bioinformatics analysis were combined in this study to explore the potential therapeutic effects of ursolic acid on MASLD. Molecular docking simulations, surface plasmon resonance analyses, pull-down experiments, and co-immunoprecipitation assays were used to verify the direct interactions. Gene knockdown mice were generated, and high-fat diets were used to validate drug efficacy. Furthermore, initial CD4+ T cells were isolated and stimulated to demonstrate our findings. Results: In this study, the multifunctional extracellular matrix phosphorylated glycoprotein secreted phosphoprotein 1 (SPP1) was investigated, highlighting its capability to induce Th17 cell differentiation, amplifying inflammatory cascades, and subsequently promoting the evolution of MASLD. In addition, this study revealed that in addition to the canonical TGF-β/IL-6 cytokine pathway, SPP1 can directly interact with ITGB1 and CD44, orchestrating Th17 cell differentiation via their joint downstream ERK signaling pathway. Remarkably, ursolic acid intervention notably suppressed the protein activity of SPP1, suggesting a promising avenue for ameliorating the immunoinflammatory trajectory in MASLD progression. Conclusions Ursolic acid could improve immune inflammation in MASLD by modulating SPP1-mediated Th17 cell differentiation via the ERK signaling pathway, which is orchestrated jointly by ITGB1 and CD44, emerging as a linchpin in this molecular cascade.

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an autosomal dominant inherited genetic disease characterized by increased concentrations of low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) cholesterol in the blood. The risk of premature coronary heart disease in FH patients may increase without early treatment. Advancement in molecular biology techniques has enable early detection and diagnosis of FH. These techniques are cost-effective and have a shorter turnaround time. The current diagnostic tools available for FH diagnosis involving algorithm-based scoring criteria and various molecular diagnosis methods including next-generation sequencing (NGS), Sanger sequencing, Multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) and DNA hybridisation assay are discussed in this review. However, molecular genetic testing is not widely available due to time-consuming procedures, high cost and requires trained personnel. Thus, this 36 review highlights the use of point of care (POC) testing as an approach to diagnose FH, particularly in countries lacking infrastructure and expertise in this field. Lateral flow testing (LFA) has gained attention as a POC diagnostic tool due to its simplicity, low cost and involved simple procedure and settings. The advantages of LFA made this technique a potential tool in addressing challenges in diagnosing FH, particularly for early diagnosis of family members.

OBJECTIVES: Ozone is widely applied to treat allergic skin diseases such as eczema, atopic dermatitis, and contact dermatitis. However, the specific mechanism remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the effects of ozonated oil on treating 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-induced allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) and the underling mechanisms. METHODS: Besides the blank control (Ctrl) group, all other mice were treated with DNCB to establish an ACD-like mouse model and were randomized into following groups: a model group, a basal oil group, an ozonated oil group, a FcεRI-overexpressed plasmid (FcεRI-OE) group, and a FcεRI empty plasmid (FcεRI-NC) group. The basal oil group and the ozonated oil group were treated with basal oil and ozonated oil, respectively. The FcεRI-OE group and the FcεRI-NC group were intradermally injected 25 µg FcεRI overexpression plasmid and 25 µg FcεRI empty plasmid when treating with ozonated oil, respectively. We recorded skin lesions daily and used reflectance confocal microscope (RCM) to evaluate thickness and inflammatory changes of skin lesions. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, real-time PCR, RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq), and immunohistochemistry were performed to detct and analyze the skin lesions. RESULTS: Ozonated oil significantly alleviated DNCB-induced ACD-like dermatitis and reduced the expressions of IFN-γ, IL-17A, IL-1β, TNF-α, and other related inflammatory factors (all P<0.05). RNA-seq analysis revealed that ozonated oil significantly inhibited the activation of the DNCB-induced FcεRI/Syk signaling pathway, confirmed by real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry (all P<0.05). Compared with the ozonated oil group and the FcεRI-NC group, the mRNA expression levels of IFN-γ, IL-17A, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and other inflammatory genes in the FcεRI-OE group were significantly increased (all P<0.05), and the mRNA and protein expression levels of FcεRI and Syk were significantly elevated in the FcεRI-OE group as well (all P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Ozonated oil significantly improves ACD-like dermatitis and alleviated DNCB-induced ACD-like dermatitis via inhibiting the FcεRI/Syk signaling pathway.
Animals ; Mice ; Dinitrochlorobenzene/metabolism* ; Skin/metabolism* ; Cytokines/metabolism* ; Interleukin-17/metabolism* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism* ; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact/pathology* ; Dermatitis, Atopic/chemically induced* ; Signal Transduction ; RNA, Messenger/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred BALB C