Background Intraseasonal variation in acute health effects of extreme heat remains insufficiently investigated. Emergency ambulance calls (EACs) may offer timely insights into the population's health during such extreme heat events. Objective To analyze intraseasonal variation in the association between extreme heat and hourly EACs during summer in Dezhou City, Shandong Province, China. Methods We collected data on all-cause hourly EACs in Dezhou City from 2021 to 2022 and assigned hourly temperature and humidity data (with a spatial resolution of 0.0625° × 0.0625°) to call addresses. Summer in this study was defined as from June to September each year, with June to July considered as early summer and August to September as late summer. Extreme heat was defined as the 99th percentile of the temperature range during the summer. We employed a time-stratified case-crossover design using conditional logistic regression integrating distributed-lag nonlinear models to compare the association between extreme heat and the risk of hourly EACs in both early and late summer periods. Results A total of 80389 EACs were recorded in Dezhou City during the study period. The analysis revealed a U-shaped association between hourly ambient temperature and EACs during summer, with the most significant effect observed at lag 0-30 h. Using the optimal temperature of 20.0°C as a reference, the cumulative odds ratio (OR) (lag 0-120 h) for extreme heat was 1.55 (95%CI: 1.40, 1.71) throughout summer. The cumulative effect of extreme heat was higher in late summer (OR=2.38, 95%CI: 1.91, 2.97) than in early summer (OR=1.37, 95%CI: 1.22, 1.54) (P<0.0001). Additionally, individuals aged 60 years and above had a higher risk throughout summer (OR=1.98, 95%CI: 1.70, 2.30) compared to those under 60 years (OR=1.23, 95%CI: 1.06, 1.42) (P<0.0001). Conclusion Intraseasonal variation is observed in the strength of association between extreme heat and hourly EACs during summer in Dezhou City. The higher risk observed in late summer than in early summer indicates that repeated exposures to heat may escalate health risks, and older adults are more vulnerable.

Animals ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Antibodies, Neutralizing ; Macaca mulatta ; COVID-19/prevention & control* ; Antibodies, Viral ; Vaccines

CRISPR-Associated Protein 9 ; Gene Editing ; CRISPR-Cas Systems/genetics*

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of standardized dust mite allergen subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) in children with allergic rhinitis (AR) during treatment.Methods:A total of 283 children with AR diagnosed with definite dust mite allergy and completed 2 to 3 years of SCIT who attended the Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, from August 2019 to October 2021 were included, including 205 males and 78 females, with a mean age of 10.8 years. The total nasal symptoms score (TNSS), symptom medication score (SMS), rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire (RQLQ) and visual analogue scale (VAS) before and after 2 to 3 years′ treatment were recorded, and the differences before and after treatment were compared. Adverse reactions during SCIT were recorded to evaluate its safety. SPSS 22.0 software was used for statistical analysis.Results:The overall effectiveness rate during SCIT in 283 children with AR was 89.4% (253/283). Compared with baseline, all symptom scores, medication scores and quality of life scores were significantly lower after 2 to 3 years of SCIT (all P<0.05). Further group comparisons showed positive efficacy in patients with different clinical characteristics, including age, gender, smoking status, family history of AR, symptom severity, mono-or poly-allergy, and second immunization, with no statistically significant differences between groups (all P>0.05). A total of 12 735 injections were administered during the SCIT, and a total of 213 (1.67%) injections of local adverse reactions occurred, mainly in the initial treatment phase, and the diameter of the local air mass was mostly 5 to 20 mm; 71 (0.56%) injections of systemic adverse reactions occurred, mainly in the initial treatment phase, and most of them were grade 1 reactions with no serious systemic adverse reaction such as shock. Conclusion:Standardized dust mite SCIT has a good safety profile and definite efficacy in treating AR children with different clinical characteristics. It can significantly improve all symptoms, reduce the use of symptomatic drugs and improve their quality of life.

Objective:To compare the clinical efficacy and safety of ledipasvir/sofosbuvir (LDV/SOF) and elbasvir/grazoprevir (EBR/GZR) in treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC).Methods:The clinical data of 143 patients with genotype 1b CHC treated in Huzhou Central Hospital from January 2020 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed, including 74 cases treated with LDV/SOF and 69 cases treated with EBR/GZR. The virological response after 4 and 12 weeks of treatment and 12wk after drug withdrawal was determined; and the serological and liver inflammation indexes before and after treatment in two groups were compared. SPSS 25.0 software was used for statistical analysis of the data.Results:The virological response rates of the LDV/SOF group and EBR/GZR group were 97.30% and 98.55%, 98.65% and 100.00%, 97.30% and 98.55% after 4 and 12 weeks of treatment and 12 weeks after the end of treatment, respectively (all P > 0.05). At the end of treatment, the liver inflammation indexes ALT, AST and GGT in the two groups were significantly lower than the baseline levels ( Z=-7.470 and -6.974, -9.757 and -6.832, -3.578 and -4.054, P<0.01). Adverse reactions in both groups were mild, and no serious adverse events occurred. Conclusion:Both LDV/SOF and EBR/GZR have good clinical efficacy in the treatment of genotype 1b CHC patients. And the patients are well tolerated.

Objective:To analyze the independent diagnostic indicators and their diagnostic values for pulmonary tuberculosis complicated with pulmonary embolism.Methods:A total of 34 cases of pulmonary tuberculosis complicated with pulmonary embolism treated in Huzhou Central Hospital from March 2014 to September 2021 were enrolled. And 136 patients with simple pulmonary tuberculosis who were hospitalized during the same period were collected with a ratio of 1∶4 according to the principle of age and gender matching. The general conditions, clinical symptoms, comorbidities and laboratory indicators of the patients were retrospectively analyzed. The univariate analysis was performed using independent samples t test, Mann-Whitney U test and chi-square test. Binary logistic regression was used to analyze the related diagnostic factors for pulmonary embolism in pulmonary tuberculosis patients, and the combined factors were constructed by transforming the model equation, and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to determine the optimal cut-off value and evaluate its diagnostic value. Results:The univariate analysis showed that patients with pulmonary tuberculosis complicated with pulmonary embolism had higher ratio of chest tightness (67.6%(23/34) vs 22.1%(30/136)), syncope (23.5%(8/34) vs 0.7%(1/136)), fever (55.9%(19/34) vs 36.0%(49/136)), hemostatic drug use (100.0%(34/34) vs 13.2%(18/136)), history of venous thrombosis (8.8%(3/34) vs 0.7%(1/136)), atrial fibrillation (11.8%(4/34) vs 2.2%(3/136)) and D-dimer levels (4.090 0(1.035 0, 10.790 0) mg/L vs 0.850 0(0.432 5, 2.145 0) mg/L) than those of simple pulmonary tuberculosis patients, and the differences were all statistically significant ( χ2=26.35, 28.19, 4.47, 96.44, 7.75, 6.30 and Z=-4.65, respectively; all P<0.050). The arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO 2)(61.90(52.95, 73.00) mmHg vs 82.00 (75.00, 87.00) mmHg, 1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) and albumin ((28.83±4.98) g/L vs (32.76±5.65) g/L) of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis complicated with pulmonary embolism were lower than those of simple pulmonary tuberculosis patients, and the differences were both statistically significant ( Z=-5.21 and t=3.71, respectively, both P<0.001). Binary regression analysis showed that chest tightness (odds ratio ( OR)=3.494, 95%confidence interval ( CI) 1.208 to 10.100, P=0.021), D-dimer ( OR=1.285, 95% CI 1.079 to 1.530, P=0.005) and PaO 2( OR=0.931, 95% CI 0.895 to 0.970, P=0.001) were the independent diagnostic indicators for pulmonary embolism in pulmonary tuberculosis patients. The areas under the ROC curve of chest tightness, D-dimer, PaO 2, and the combination of the three indicators (the combination factor) were 0.728, 0.758, 0.834, and 0.890, respectively. The optimal cut-off value of the combination factor was -3.1, with the sensitivity of 0.824 and the specificity of 0.824. Conclusions:Chest tightness, increased D-dimer and decreased PaO 2 are independent diagnostic indicators for pulmonary embolism in pulmonary tuberculosis patients. It is recommended to perform pulmonary artery computed tomography angiography promptly when the combination factor is higher than -3.1 to determine whether the patient is complicated by pulmonary embolism.

Osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF) can lead to lower back pain and may be even accompanied by scoliosis, neurological dysfunction and other complications, which will affect the daily activities and life quality of patients. Vertebral augmentation is an effective treatment method for OVCF, but it cannot correct unbalance of bone metabolism or improve the osteoporotic status, causing complications like lower back pain, limited spinal activities and vertebral refracture. The post-operative systematic and standardized rehabilitation treatments can improve curative effect and therapeutic efficacy of anti-osteoporosis, reduce risk of vertebral refracture, increase patient compliance and improve quality of life. Since there still lack relevant clinical treatment guidelines for postoperative rehabilitation treatments following vertebral augmentation for OVCF, the current treatments are varied with uneven therapeutic effect. In order to standardize the postoperative rehabilitation treatment, the Spine Trauma Group of the Orthopedic Branch of Chinese Medical Doctor Association organized relevant experts to refer to relevant literature and develop the "Guideline for postoperative rehabilitation treatment following vertebral augmentation for osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (2022 version)" based on the clinical guidelines published by the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) as well as on the principles of scientificity, practicality and advancement. The guideline provided evidence-based recommendations on 10 important issues related to postoperative rehabilitation treatments of OVCF.

Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics of brucellosis in Huzhou City, Zhejiang Province, so as to provide basis for clinicians to improve their understanding and diagnosis and treatment of brucellosis.Methods:The data of 10 cases of brucellosis in Huzhou Central Hospital from 2014 to 2019 were collected, and the epidemiological characteristics, clinical manifestations, laboratory examination results, imaging examination results, etiological examination results, diagnosis and treatment process and prognosis were summarized and analyzed by retrospective analysis method.Results:Among the 10 patients with brucellosis, 6 were males and 4 were females, aged from 32 to 71 years old, and 9 patients had a history of contact with goat, and one case was considered as food borne infection. The main clinical manifestations were fever (10 cases), sweating (2 cases), joint pain (7 cases). In imaging examination, 5 cases with splemomegaly, 1 cases with lymphadenopathy, 3 patients presented with spondylitis (including 1 case with paravertebral abscess) and 2 cases with prostatitis; Brucella was cultured in 2 patients and Brucella antibodies were positive in 10 patients. The treatment drugs included doxycycline, rifampicin and levofloxacin in two or three combinations. Eight patients were followed up for more than 1 month to more than 5 years, and the prognosis was good. Conclusions:Brucellosis lacks specificity in clinical features. Most patients with brucellosis are associated with osteoarthritis or urinary system diseases. Physicians should be vigilant, combine epidemiological features, conduct laboratory tests in time, and diagnose as soon as possible.

Objective To evaluate the effects of surgery under ketamine anesthesia during mid-pregnancy on cognitive function of offspring rats.Methods Thirty healthy pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats at14 days of gestation,aged 9-10 weeks,weighing 270-310 g,were assigned to 3 groups (n=10 each)using a random number table method:exploratory laparotomy under ketamine anesthesia group (KSgroup),ketamine anesthesia group (K group) and control group (C group).In KS group,ketamine 20mg/kg was injected via the caudal vein,and then ketamine was continuously infused at a rate of 130mg · kg-1 · h-1 after loss of right reflex to maintain anesthesia for 2 h,and exploratory laparotomy was per-formed after anesthesia was stable.Group K received no exploratory laparotomy and the other treatmentswere similar to those previously described in group KS.The equal volume of normal saline was given insteadin group C.The cliff avoidance,passive avoidance,and Morris water maze tests were used to evaluate the spatial perception and learning and memory ability of the offspring rats on postnatal days 7,23 and 30.Hippocampal tissues of rat offsprings were obtained at 24 h after the end of Morris water maze test to determine neural precursor cell-expressed developmentally downregulated protein 9 (NEDD9) and postsynaptic density 95 (PSD-95) protein and mRNA expression by quantitative polymerase chain reaction or Western blot.Results Compared with group C,the score of cliff avoidance was significantly decreased,the results of Morris water maze test showed that the escape latency was significantly prolonged,the platform-crossing times were decreased,the time spent in the second quadrant was shortened,the expression of NEDD9 and PSD-95 was down-regulated (P ＜ 0.05),and no significant changes were found in the expression of NEDD9 and PSD-95 mRNA in KS group,and no significant changes were found in the indexes mentioned above in K group (P＞0.05).There was no significant difference in the numberof errors in passive avoidance test among the three groups (P＞0.05).Conclusion Ketamine anesthesia during mid-pregnancy exerts no effect on the cognitive function of offspring rats,abdominal surgery under ketamine anesthesia impairs the spatial perception and learning and memory ability of offspring rats,and the mechanism is related to down-regulating the expression of NEDD9 and PSD-95 in hippocampi of offspring rats.

BACKGROUND: Studies on the biomechanical properties in NUSS procedure have obtained some achievements, but the effect of scoliosis surgical correction of scoliosis on thoracic deformity remains unclear.OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of simultaneous correction of pectus excavatum and scoliosis on thoracic deformity so as to provide reference for designing a rational orthopedic scheme.METHODS: The three-dimensional reconstruction model of the chest was established based on the CT data of the patients with pectus excavatum and scoliosis. The surgical correction of pectus excavatum and scoliosis was simulated by numerical simulation method.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Results after correction showed that the bilateral spinous processes at T3-5 segments displaced to the left (X direction) about 1 mm, suggesting that the simultaneous correction is favorable for the correction of scoliosis. (2) Compared with the single NUSS procedure, the displacement at Y direction was increased by 13.358 mm in the simultaneous correction; meanwhile, there was significant difference in the shortest displacement between two methods.(3) In views of Von Mises stress distribution, the stress in the simultaneous correction was decreased by 24.6 MPa compared with the single Nuss procedure, indicating that the simultaneous correction can significantly reduce the Von Mises stress on the chest, which contributes to alleviate the postoperative pain. (4) Our results show that the simultaneous correction cannot only improve scoliosis, but also improve the symptoms of pectus excavatum.