Objective: This cross-sectional investigation aimed to determine the incidence, clinical characteristics, prognosis, and related risk factors of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain in mainland China. Methods: Data of patients with SARS-CoV-2 from December 28, 2022, to February 21, 2023, were collected through online and offline questionnaires from 45 tertiary hospitals and one center for disease control and prevention in mainland China. The questionnaire included demographic information, previous health history, smoking and alcohol drinking, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, olfactory and gustatory function before and after infection, other symptoms after infection, as well as the duration and improvement of olfactory and gustatory dysfunction. The self-reported olfactory and gustatory functions of patients were evaluated using the Olfactory VAS scale and Gustatory VAS scale. Results: A total of 35 566 valid questionnaires were obtained, revealing a high incidence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain (67.75%). Females(χ2=367.013, P<0.001) and young people(χ2=120.210, P<0.001) were more likely to develop these dysfunctions. Gender(OR=1.564, 95%CI: 1.487-1.645), SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status (OR=1.334, 95%CI: 1.164-1.530), oral health status (OR=0.881, 95%CI: 0.839-0.926), smoking history (OR=1.152, 95%CI=1.080-1.229), and drinking history (OR=0.854, 95%CI: 0.785-0.928) were correlated with the occurrence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to SARS-CoV-2(above P<0.001). 44.62% (4 391/9 840) of the patients who had not recovered their sense of smell and taste also suffered from nasal congestion, runny nose, and 32.62% (3 210/9 840) suffered from dry mouth and sore throat. The improvement of olfactory and taste functions was correlated with the persistence of accompanying symptoms(χ2=10.873, P=0.001). The average score of olfactory and taste VAS scale was 8.41 and 8.51 respectively before SARS-CoV-2 infection, but decreased to3.69 and 4.29 respectively after SARS-CoV-2 infection, and recovered to 5.83and 6.55 respectively at the time of the survey. The median duration of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions was 15 days and 12 days, respectively, with 0.5% (121/24 096) of patients experiencing these dysfunctions for more than 28 days. The overall self-reported improvement rate of smell and taste dysfunctions was 59.16% (14 256/24 096). Gender(OR=0.893, 95%CI: 0.839-0.951), SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status (OR=1.334, 95%CI: 1.164-1.530), history of head and facial trauma(OR=1.180, 95%CI: 1.036-1.344, P=0.013), nose (OR=1.104, 95%CI: 1.042-1.171, P=0.001) and oral (OR=1.162, 95%CI: 1.096-1.233) health status, smoking history(OR=0.765, 95%CI: 0.709-0.825), and the persistence of accompanying symptoms (OR=0.359, 95%CI: 0.332-0.388) were correlated with the recovery of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to SARS-CoV-2 (above P<0.001 except for the indicated values). Conclusion: The incidence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain is high in mainland China, with females and young people more likely to develop these dysfunctions. Active and effective intervention measures may be required for cases that persist for a long time. The recovery of olfactory and taste functions is influenced by several factors, including gender, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status, history of head and facial trauma, nasal and oral health status, smoking history, and persistence of accompanying symptoms.
Female ; Humans ; Adolescent ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Smell ; COVID-19/complications* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; COVID-19 Vaccines ; Incidence ; Olfaction Disorders/etiology* ; Taste Disorders/etiology* ; Prognosis

Objective: To analyze the clinical epidemiological characteristics including composition of pathogens , clinical characteristics, and disease prognosis acute bacterial meningitis (ABM) in Chinese children. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical and laboratory data of 1 610 children <15 years of age with ABM in 33 tertiary hospitals in China from January 2019 to December 2020. Patients were divided into different groups according to age,<28 days group, 28 days to <3 months group, 3 months to <1 year group, 1-<5 years of age group, 5-<15 years of age group; etiology confirmed group and clinically diagnosed group according to etiology diagnosis. Non-numeric variables were analyzed with the Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test, while non-normal distrituction numeric variables were compared with nonparametric test. Results: Among 1 610 children with ABM, 955 were male and 650 were female (5 cases were not provided with gender information), and the age of onset was 1.5 (0.5, 5.5) months. There were 588 cases age from <28 days, 462 cases age from 28 days to <3 months, 302 cases age from 3 months to <1 year of age group, 156 cases in the 1-<5 years of age and 101 cases in the 5-<15 years of age. The detection rates were 38.8% (95/245) and 31.5% (70/222) of Escherichia coli and 27.8% (68/245) and 35.1% (78/222) of Streptococcus agalactiae in infants younger than 28 days of age and 28 days to 3 months of age; the detection rates of Streptococcus pneumonia, Escherichia coli, and Streptococcus agalactiae were 34.3% (61/178), 14.0% (25/178) and 13.5% (24/178) in the 3 months of age to <1 year of age group; the dominant pathogens were Streptococcus pneumoniae and the detection rate were 67.9% (74/109) and 44.4% (16/36) in the 1-<5 years of age and 5-<15 years of age . There were 9.7% (19/195) strains of Escherichia coli producing ultra-broad-spectrum β-lactamases. The positive rates of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture and blood culture were 32.2% (515/1 598) and 25.0% (400/1 598), while 38.2% (126/330)and 25.3% (21/83) in CSF metagenomics next generation sequencing and Streptococcus pneumoniae antigen detection. There were 4.3% (32/790) cases of which CSF white blood cell counts were normal in etiology confirmed group. Among 1 610 children with ABM, main intracranial imaging complications were subdural effusion and (or) empyema in 349 cases (21.7%), hydrocephalus in 233 cases (14.5%), brain abscess in 178 cases (11.1%), and other cerebrovascular diseases, including encephalomalacia, cerebral infarction, and encephalatrophy, in 174 cases (10.8%). Among the 166 cases (10.3%) with unfavorable outcome, 32 cases (2.0%) died among whom 24 cases died before 1 year of age, and 37 cases (2.3%) had recurrence among whom 25 cases had recurrence within 3 weeks. The incidences of subdural effusion and (or) empyema, brain abscess and ependymitis in the etiology confirmed group were significantly higher than those in the clinically diagnosed group (26.2% (207/790) vs. 17.3% (142/820), 13.0% (103/790) vs. 9.1% (75/820), 4.6% (36/790) vs. 2.7% (22/820), χ²=18.71, 6.20, 4.07, all P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in the unfavorable outcomes, mortility, and recurrence between these 2 groups (all P>0.05). Conclusions: The onset age of ABM in children is usually within 1 year of age, especially <3 months. The common pathogens in infants <3 months of age are Escherichia coli and Streptococcus agalactiae, and the dominant pathogen in infant ≥3 months is Streptococcus pneumoniae. Subdural effusion and (or) empyema and hydrocephalus are common complications. ABM should not be excluded even if CSF white blood cell counts is within normal range. Standardized bacteriological examination should be paid more attention to increase the pathogenic detection rate. Non-culture CSF detection methods may facilitate the pathogenic diagnosis.
Adolescent ; Brain Abscess ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Escherichia coli ; Female ; Humans ; Hydrocephalus ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Meningitis, Bacterial/epidemiology* ; Retrospective Studies ; Streptococcus agalactiae ; Streptococcus pneumoniae ; Subdural Effusion ; beta-Lactamases

Objective To investigate the prognostic influence factors of Solitaire stent thrombectomy in patients with acute anterior circulation macrovascular occlusion. Methods From March 2015 to March 2017,222 consecutive patients with acute anterior circulation macrovascular occlusion admitted to the Department of Neurosurgery,the 101stHospital of People′s Liberation Army and the Nanjing Jinling Hospital were enrolled retrospectively.They were all confirmed by DSA and were treated with Solitaire stent thrombectomy. According to the modified Rankin Scale(mRS) scores at 90 d after treatment,they were divided into a good prognosis group (0-2,n=120) and a poor prognosis group (3-6,n =102). The baseline data and clinical data of the two groups of patients were analyzed,including the risk factors for cardiocerebrovascular diseases,baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score,occlusion sites (internal carotid artery or middle cerebral artery occlusion),collateral compensatory,onset to puncture time, operation time,onset to recanalization median time,recanalization status,preoperative Alberta stroke programme early CT score(ASPECTS),and symptomatic cerebral hemorrhage,and then further multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted for the prognostic factors of patients. Results (1) The rate of good prognosis was 54.1% (120/222).There were no significant differences in patients′ age,NIHSS at admission,ASPECTS at admission,sex,hypertension,occlusion site,and rate of good collateral branches in both groups(all P<0.05).There were no significant differences in other baseline data (all P >0. 05). (2) Onset to puncture time and onset to successful recanalization median time of the patients in good prognosis group was lower than that of the poor prognosis group (182 [138,230]min vs.236[170,305]min, 237[175,269]min vs.288[223,367]min).The proportion of successful recanalization was higher than that of the poor prognosis group (98.3% [118/120] vs.78.4% [80/102]).The proportion of postoperative symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage was lower than that of the poor prognosis group (2.5% [3/120] vs.21.6% [22/102]).There was significant difference between the two groups (all P <0.01). There was no significant difference in operative time between the two groups (P >0.05). (3)In the single factor analysis,the parameter of P <0.05 was used as an independent variable,and prognosis was used as a dependent variable,multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the increased age (OR,1.096,95% CI 1.050-1.144),history of hypertension (OR,8.401,95% CI 2.960-23.845),increased baseline NIHSS score (OR,1.071,95% CI 1.007-1.138),prolonged onset to successful recanalization time (OR,1.019,95% CI 1.003-1.035),symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage after procedure (OR,18.110,95% CI 4.656-70.434) were all the risk factors for poor prognosis(all P<0.05);higher ASPECTS score at admission(OR,0.641,95% CI 0.451-0.911) and successful recanalization (OR,0.127,95% CI 0.024-0.664) were all the protective factors of good prognosis (all P<0.05). Conclusions Higher ASPECTS at admission and successful recanalization were the protective factors of poor prognosis of Solitaire stent thrombectomy in patients with acute anterior circulation macrovascular occlusion.Increased age,history of hypertension,increased baseline NIHSS score,prolonged onset to successful recanalization time,and symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage after procedure were the risk factors for poor prognosis of Solitaire stent thrombectomy in patients with acute anterior circulation macrovascular occlusion.

BACKGROUNDObstructive sleep apnea (OSA) syndrome has a negative impact on the health of millions of adolescents and youth. The aim of this study was to evaluate the associations of OSA syndrome with obesity and cardiometabolic risk factors among adolescents and youth at risk for metabolic syndrome (MS).

METHODSA total of 558 subjects aged 14-28 years were recruited from the Beijing Child and Adolescent Metabolic Syndrome Study. Each underwent a 2-h oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), echocardiography, and liver ultrasonography. Anthropometric measures, blood levels of glucose, lipids, and liver enzymes were assessed. Subjects with high or low risk for OSA were identified by Berlin Questionnaire (BQ).

RESULTSAmong the subjects in obesity, 33.7% of whom were likely to have OSA by BQ. Subjects with high risk for OSA had higher neck and waist circumference and fat mass percentage compared to those with low risk for OSA (P < 0.001). Moreover, significant differences in levels of lipids, glucose after OGTT, and liver enzymes, as well as echocardiographic parameters were found between the two groups with high or low risk for OSA (P < 0.05). The rates of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (71.0% vs. 24.2%), MS (38.9% vs. 7.0%), and its components in high-risk group were significantly higher than in low-risk group.

CONCLUSIONSThe prevalence of OSA by BQ was high in obese adolescents and youth. A high risk for OSA indicates a high cardiometabolic risk. Mechanisms mediating the observed associations require further investigation.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Beijing ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Metabolic Syndrome ; complications ; epidemiology ; Obesity ; complications ; epidemiology ; Risk Factors ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Waist Circumference ; physiology ; Young Adult

Objective: To explore the effects of gentiana scabra bage on the expression of hepatic collagen proteins in Paragonimus skrjabini rats with liver fibrosis. Methods: Immunohistochemical technique was used to observe the changes of content of hepatic type I, III collagen proteins in Paragonimus skrjabini rats with liver fibrosis before and after the gentiana scabra bage treatmeat. Results: Comparing with the model group, changes of hepatic type I and type III collagen proteins in gentiana scabra bage treated group were significantly weakened. Conclusions: Gentiana scabra bage treatment can reduce the content of hepatic type III and type I collagen protein significantly in Paragonimus skrjabini rats with liver fibrosis, thereby, playing the role against hepatic fibrosis.

OBJECTIVETo compare the differences in the efficacy on distant version of naked eye in the patients of juvenile myopia between rotating manipulation and lifting-thrusting manipulation of acupuncture.

METHODSOne hundred and twenty cases (240 eyes) were randomized into a rotating manipulation group and a lifting-thrusting manipulation group, 60 cases (120 eyes) in each group. Additionally, a corrective lenses group, 60 cases (120 eyes), was set up as the control. In both manipulation groups, Cuanzhu (BL 2),Yuyao (EX-HN 4), Sizhukong (TE 23), Taiyang (EX-HN 5), Fengchi (GB 20), Zusanli (ST 36), Guangming (GB 37) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) were punctured, but stimulated with rotating manipulation and lifting-thrusting manipulation respectively three times per week, 10 times as a treatment session and totally one session was required. In the corrective lenses group, the glasses were applied at daytime. The clinical efficacy and the changes in distant vision of naked eye before and after treatment were compared among the three groups.

RESULTSThe total effective rate was 87.5% (105/120) in the rotating manipulation group, which was better than 69.2% (83/120) in the lifting-thrusting manipulation group (P < 0.05). The distant vision of naked eye was improved apparently in the rotating manipulation group and the lifting-thrusting manipulation group after treatment (both P < 0.05). But it was not improved in the corrective lenses group (P > 0.05). The distant vision of naked eye was improved more apparently after treatment in the rotating manipulation group as compared with that in the lifting-thrusting manipulation group (0.75 +/- 0.23 vs 0.68 +/- 0.24, P < 0.05). For 96 cases (192 eyes) with acupuncture treatment, in 3-month follow-up, 87.0% (167/192) of the cases maintained the stable vision as the original level and 13.0% (25/192) of them were reduced in the vision In the acupuncture groups, it was found that the improvement of distant vision of naked eye was more obvious after treatment with younger age, better basic vision and shorter duration of sickness (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture achieves the positive and sustainable clinical effect on juvenile myopia, and the results of rotating manipulation are superior to that of lifting-thrusting manipulation. Age, basic vision and duration of sickness impact the clinical efficacy.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; instrumentation ; methods ; Adolescent ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Myopia ; therapy ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study CXCR3 and CCR5 chemokine receptor expression in spleens of patients with primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) and its clinical significance.

METHODSThe splenectomy specimens from 10 ITP patients (ITP group) and 8 patients with traumatic splenic rupture (normal control group) were studied. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to study the positive rate of CXCR3 and CCR5. Western blot was performed to detect CXCR3 and CCR5 protein expression, while real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was conducted to analyze their mRNA expression.

RESULTSThe positive rate of CXCR3 and CCR5 were both higher in ITP group (90% and 100%, respectively) than those in control group (75% and 87.5%, respectively)(P < 0.05). The differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Protein and mRNA level of CXCR3 in ITP group were 3.0 and 3.5 times as high as those in control group, respectively. Those of CCR5 in ITP group were 1.2 and 1.7 times as high as those in control group, respectively.

CONCLUSIONHigh expression of CXCR3 and CCR5 may play a part in the splenic immune disorders in patients with ITP.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Receptors, CCR5 ; metabolism ; Receptors, CXCR3 ; metabolism ; Spleen ; metabolism ; Thrombocytopenia ; immunology ; metabolism ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo determine the prevalence of herpes simplex virus (HSV) and its correlates among HIV/AIDS patients in a county of Shanxi.

METHODSAll HIV-infected patients in a county in Shanxi province who were receiving antiretroviral treatment (ART) were included in this study. Participants were interviewed using standard questionnaires. Serum samples were tested to determine HSV-1 and HSV-2 infections.

RESULTSA total of 195 AIDS patients were recruited and 195 blood samples were collected. Among 195 AIDS patients, 189 (96.9%) were farmers; 116 (59.5%) were men while 79 were women; 146 (74.9%) were between 20 - 50 years old; 180 (92.3%) were married. The major routes of HIV transmission were blood/plasma donation or transfusion (176 patients, 90.3%). CD(4)(+) T cell counts were between (1 - 1531) × 10(6) cells/L ((323.6 ± 14.8) × 10(6) cells/L), with 44 (26.5%) patients' CD(4)(+) T cell counts less than 200 × 10(6) cells/L. Of which, 154 patients (79.0%) had sexual partners. 86.8% (118 patients) consistently used condoms during the past 6 months, while for the last sexual act, 91.8% (123 patients) used condoms. For anti-HSV-1 status, there were about 164 patients (84.1%) were positive, and 26 (13.3%) were positive for anti-HSV-2. While, 14 (7.2%) were positive for both anti-HSV-1 and anti-HSV-2. Logistic regression analysis indicated that marital status were correlated with HSV-2 infection (OR = 7.41; 95%CI: 2.42 - 22.73; P < 0.01). No socio-demographic and sexual characteristics were identified to be correlated with HSV-1 infection.

CONCLUSIONA substantial proportion of AIDS patients in a rural county of Shanxi province of China were co-infected with HSV-1 and/or HSV-2. Marital status was correlated with HSV-2 infection.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; complications ; epidemiology ; virology ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Herpes Simplex ; complications ; epidemiology ; Herpesvirus 1, Human ; Herpesvirus 2, Human ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Rural Population ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of pravastatin on the proliferation and invasion of human hepatocarcinoma HepG2 cell line.

METHODSThe effects of pravastatin on the proliferation, migration and invasion of HepG2 cells was observed by MTT assay, Boyden chamber assay and motility assay. p38 activity was measured, and the expression of p-p38, MKP-1, RhoC and MMP-2 was analyzed by Western blot.

RESULTSPravastatin inhibited the proliferation of HepG2 cells. The intracellular p38 activity and expressions of p-p38, RhoC and MMP-2 were decreased, while MKP-1 expression was elevated in pravastatin treated cells. In addition, pravastatin inhibited the invasion and motility.

CONCLUSIONPravastatin can inhibit the proliferation and invasion of HepG2 cells.

Cell Movement ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Hep G2 Cells ; Humans ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; metabolism ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Pravastatin ; pharmacology

Objective To observe the effects of soybean,selenium and spirulina on hemoglobin(Hb)of rats intoxicated with fluorine and aluminiums.Methods According to body weight,84 SD rats were randomly divided into control group,high aluminum group,high fluorine group,high fluorine-aluminum group,high fluorine-aluminium intoxicated rats strengthened with soybean group,high fluorine-aluminium intoxicated rats strengthened with selenium group and high fluorine-aluminium intoxicated rats strengthened with spirulina group,12 in each group.Rats in the control group and the high aluminum group were fed with feed containing 5.2 mg/kg of fluorine and 6.8 mg/kg of aluminum.In other groups,fluorine wag 106 mg/Kg and aluminum 19.7 mg/kg.Fluorine and aluminum concentration in the drinking water of the control group and the high fluorine group were 0.69 mg/L and 0.20 mg/L,respectively.In other groups' drinking water,these values were 0.69 mg/L and 90.2 mg/L,respectively.Ninety days later,Hb concentration of the whole blood was tested.Results Hb concentration of the control group,the high aluminum group,the high fluorine group,and the high fluorine-aluminum group were (160.8±6.3),(142.2±15.9),(156.1±4.9)and(145.2±6.2)g/L,respectively.Fluorine had an effect on the concentration of Hb(F=29.56,P<0.05).The Hb concentration of the high fluorine-aluminum group,the strengthened with soybean group,the strengthened with selenium group and the strengthened with Spirulina group were(145.2±6.2),(150.7±17.7),(156.8±14.5),(154.5±17.8)g/L,respectively.Though the concentration of Hb had increased,there was no significant difference between the four groups(χ2=3.304,P>0.05).Conclusions High-dose fluorine could cause varied decrease in the concentration of Hb.However,aluminum has neitherantagonistic effect nor synergistic effect on the Hb of fluorotic Rat.Soybean,selenium and Spirulina show a trend to increase fluorotic rat's Hb,but they has no evident antagonistic effect.