Objective: To explore the changes in ribosomal DNA copy number in peripheral blood among patients with pneumoconiosis and its influencing factors, so as to provide insights into prevention and treatment of pneumoconiosis. Methods: Eighty-eight patients with pneumoconiosis who visited a designated hospital and 71 community residents with no history of pneumoconiosis or dust exposure were selected as the pneumoconiosis group and control group, and age, smoking history, drinking history and cumulative years of exposure to dust were collected through questionnaire surveys. The copy number of 45S rDNA and 5S rDNA was detected using real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR, and the differences between the two groups were compared. Factors affecting the copy number of 45S rDNA and 5S rDNA were identified by a multiple linear regression model. Results: The pneumoconiosis group had a median age of 56.00 (interquartile range, 15.25) and a mean cumulative dust exposure duration of (12.40±8.08) years, with 56.82% smoking and 62.50% drinking. The control group had a median age of 64.00 (interquartile range, 37.00) years, with 32.39% smoking and 26.76% drinking. The median copy number of 45S rDNA in the pneumoconiosis group was 1.29 (interquartile range, 0.59), which was lower than 2.10 (interquartile range, 1.88) in the control group; the median copy number of 5S rDNA in the pneumoconiosis group was 5.33 (interquartile range, 0.85), which was higher than 4.66 (1.34) in the control group (both P<0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis identified age (β=-0.034) and pneumoconiosis (β=-1.595) as factors affecting 45S rDNA copy number, age (β=-0.013) as a factor affecting 5S rDNA copy number, and age (β=0.018) as a factor affecting 5S rDNA copy number in the pneumoconiosis group (all P<0.05). Conclusions Compared with community residents with no history of pneumoconiosis or dust exposure, the copy number of 45S rDNA in peripheral blood among patients with pneumoconiosis is reduced and the copy number of 5S rDNA is increased.

Objective To compare the effectiveness of different β-blockers for preventing postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) after cardiac surgery. Methods Databases of PubMed, Science Direct, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library, SinoMed, CKNI, VIP, WanFang were searched by the computer from inception to April 31, 2022 to collect randomized controlled studies on the comparison of the effectiveness of different β-blockers for preventing POAF. Two investigators independently screened the literature and extracted information. The quality of the literature was evaluated using Cochrane bias risk tool, and RevMan 5.3 and STATA 17.0 were used for meta-analysis. Results A total of 17 randomized controlled studies with 3 290 patients were included. Direct meta-analysis showed that landiolol and metoprolol were more effective than placebo (P≤0.001), and carvedilol was more effective than metoprolol in preventing the development of POAF (P<0.001). Network meta-analysis showed that landiolol, carvedilol and metoprolol were more effective than placebo in preventing the incidence of POAF (P<0.05). Landiolol and carvedilol were more effective than metoprolol, and carvedilol were more effective than nebivolol (P<0.05). The surface under the cumulative ranking curve from high to low were carvedilol, landilol, propranolol, atenolol, metoprolol, and nebivolol. Conclusion Carvedilol and landilol have different degrees of improvement in the occurrence of POAF, and carvedilol has the best preventive effect. More studies are required to verify the strength of evidence due to the limited sample size.

BACKGROUND:Some studies have found that local application of alendronate can promote osteogenesis,but less is reported on the process of distraction osteogenesis. OBJECTIVE:To observe the promoting effect of alendronate on rapid mandibular distraction in a rabbit model and explore its possible mechanism. METHODS:Thirty-six male New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into groups A,B and C(n=12 per group)after operation and rapid distraction(3-day delay period followed by 3-day distraction at 1.5 mm/12 hours).At the 1st,3rd and 7th days of the consolidation period,animal were injected with 200 μg/kg alendronate in group A and 100 μg/kg alendronate in group B,while those in group C were treated as controls.CT scanning and dual energy X-ray bone mineral density measurement were performed at 4 and 8 weeks of the consolidation period.After the radionuclide scanning was completed at the 4th week,several animals were sacrificed and the samples were collected for western blot assay and tartrate resistant acid phosphatase staining.A three-point bending test was performed after the animals were sacrificed at the 8th week. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:CT results showed that bone formation in the distraction space of group B was significantly better than that in groups A and C.At the 4th week,the bone mineral density in group B was(0.092±0.010)g/cm2,which was 1.26 times higher than that in group A(P＜0.001)and 1.28 times higher than that in group C(P＜0.001).At the 8th week,the bone mineral density in group B was(0.175±0.029)g/cm2,which was 1.38 times higher than that in group A(P＜0.001)and 1.45 times higher than that in group C(P＜0.001).Tartrate resistant acid phosphatase staining showed that the number of osteoclast-like cells in group C were 2.83 times more than that in group A(P＜0.001)and 2.21 times more than that in group B(P＜0.001).The radionuclide intensity was higher in group C than in groups A and B.Western blot assay results showed that the expression of Runx2 was significantly stronger in group B than in groups A and C.The maximum biomechanical load in group B was(158.48±23.21)N,which was 1.26 times higher than that in group A(P=0.007)and 1.31 times higher than that in group C(P=0.003).To conclude,the low concentration of alendronate may promote rapid distraction osteogenesis of the rabbit mandible by inhibiting osteoclast signals.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for the treatment of combined immunodeficiency (CID) and explore prognostic risk factors.Methods:In this retrospective cohort study, clinical characteristics, laboratory tests and prognosis of 73 CID children who underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation from February 2014 to April 2022 in the Children′s Hospital of Fudan University were analyzed. Based on the subtypes of diseases, all patients were divided into severe combined immunodeficiency disease (SCID) group and other CID group. Based on the types of donors, all patients were divided into matched sibling donor group, matched unrelated donor group, unrelated cord blood group, and haploidentical donor group. Kaplan-Meier method and Log-Rank test were used to analyze the survival data. Cox regression was used to analyze prognostic factors.Results:Among the 73 patients, there were 61 (84%) males and 12 (16%) females. Fifty-five (75%) patients were SCID, and 18 (25%) patients were other CID. Donor source included 2 (3%) matched sibling donors (MSD), 3 (4%) matched unrelated donors (MUD), 64 (88%) unrelated cord blood (UCB), and 4 (5%) haploidentical donors. The age at transplant was 10.7 (5.9, 27.5) months, and the follow-up time was 36.2 (2.5, 62.9) months. The 3-year overall survival rate of 73 patients with CID was (67±6) %. No significant difference was found in the 3-year overall survival rates between patients with SCID (55 cases) and other CID (18 cases) ((64±7) % vs. (78±10) %, χ2=1.31, P=0.252). And no significant difference was found in the 3-year overall survival rates among patients who received MSD or MUD (5 cases), UCB (64 cases), and haploidentical donor (4 cases) transplant (100% vs. (66±6)% vs. (50±25) %, χ2=2.30, P=0.317). Cox regression analysis showed that the medical history of sepsis ( HR=2.55, 95% CI 1.05-6.20, P=0.039) and hypoalbuminemia at transplant ( HR=2.96, 95% CI 1.14-7.68, P=0.026) were independent risk factors for the prognosis of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in pediatric patients with CID. Conclusions:Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is an effective treatment for CID. The medical history of sepsis and hypoalbuminemia at transplant were risk factors for prognosis. Enhancing infection prevention and nutritional intervention before transplant can improve patient prognosis.

Objective:To analyze the factors affecting delayed chemotherapy in children with Burkitt lymphoma (BL) and their influence on prognosis.Methods:Retrospective cohort study. Clinical data of 591 children aged ≤18 years with BL from May 2017 to December 2022 in China Net Childhood Lymphoma (CNCL) was collected. The patients were treated according to the protocol CNCL-BL-2017. According to the clinical characteristics, therapeutic regimen was divided into group A, group B and group C .Based on whether the total chemotherapy time was delayed, patients were divided into two groups: the delayed chemotherapy group and the non-delayed chemotherapy group. Based on the total delayed time of chemotherapy, patients in group C were divided into non-delayed chemotherapy group, 1-7 days delayed group and more than 7 days delayed group. Relationships between delayed chemotherapy and gender, age, tumor lysis syndrome before chemotherapy, bone marrow involvement, disease group (B/C group), serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) > 4 times than normal, grade Ⅲ-Ⅳ myelosuppression after chemotherapy, minimal residual disease in the interim assessment, and severe infection (including severe pneumonia, sepsis, meningitis, chickenpox, etc.) were analyzed. Logistic analysis was used to identify the relevant factors. Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze the patients' survival information. Log-Rank was used for comparison between groups.Results:Among 591 patients, 504 were males and 87 were females, the follow-up time was 34.8 (18.6,50.1) months. The 3-year overall survival (OS) rate was (92.5±1.1)%,and the 3-year event-free survival (EFS) rate was (90.5±1.2)%. Seventy-three (12.4%) patients were in delayed chemotherapy group and 518 (87.6%) patients were in non-delayed chemotherapy group. The reasons for chemotherapy delay included 72 cases (98.6%) of severe infection, 65 cases (89.0%) of bone marrow suppression, 35 cases (47.9%) of organ dysfunction, 22 cases (30.1%) of tumor lysis syndrome,etc. There were 7 cases of chemotherapy delay in group B, which were seen in COPADM (vincristine+cyclophosphamide+prednisone+daunorubicin+methotrexate+intrathecal injection,4 cases) and CYM (methotrexate+cytarabine+intrathecal injection,3 cases) stages. There were 66 cases of chemotherapy delay in group C, which were common in COPADM (28 cases) and CYVE 1 (low dose cytarabine+high dose cytarabine+etoposide+methotrexate, 12 cases) stages. Multinomial Logistic regression analysis showed that the age over 10 years old ( OR=0.54,95% CI 0.30-0.93), tumor lysis syndrome before chemotherapy ( OR=0.48,95% CI 0.27-0.84) and grade Ⅲ-Ⅳ myelosuppression after chemotherapy ( OR=0.55,95% CI 0.33-0.91)were independent risk factors for chemotherapy delay.The 3-year OS rate and the 3-year EFS rate of children with Burkitt lymphoma in the delayed chemotherapy group were lower than those in the non-delayed chemotherapy group ((79.4±4.9)% vs. (94.2±1.1)%, (80.2±4.8)% vs. (92.0±1.2)%,both P<0.05). The 3-year OS rate of the group C with chemotherapy delay >7 days (42 cases) was lower than that of the group with chemotherapy delay of 1-7 days (22 cases) and the non-delay group (399 cases) ((76.7±6.9)% vs. (81.8±8.2)% vs. (92.7±1.3)%, P=0.002).The 3-year OS rate of the chemotherapy delay group (9 cases) in the COP (vincristine+cyclophosphamide+prednisone) phase was lower than that of the non-chemotherapy delay group (454 cases) ((66.7±15.7)% vs. (91.3±1.4)%, P=0.005). Similarly, the 3-year OS rate of the chemotherapy delay group (11 cases) in the COPADM1 phase was lower than that of the non-chemotherapy delay group (452 cases) ((63.6±14.5)% vs. (91.5±1.3)%, P=0.001). Conclusions:The delayed chemotherapy was related to the age over 10 years old, tumor lysis syndrome before chemotherapy and grade Ⅲ-Ⅳ myelosuppression after chemotherapy in pediatric BL. There is a significant relationship between delayed chemotherapy and prognosis of BL in children.

Objective To investigate the value of unenhanced CT combined with clinical features in predicting adnexal torsion in women with abdominal pain and an adnexal mass. Methods A retrospective selection of patients with abdominal pain and an adnexal mass underwent operation in 2 tertiary hospitals from January 2018 to September 2023. The torsion group (n＝53) and non-torsion group (n＝53) were matched in a 1∶1 ratio. 15 CT signs of adnexal masses were reviewed independently by two radiologists using a double-blind method. The high-risk factors were screened using multivariate logistic regression analysis. The diagnostic values of high-risk factors for adnexal torsion were assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Results According to the surgical and pathological results, the most common adnexal mass in torsion group was mature cystic teratoma (32.1%), and the most common mass in the non-torsion group was adnexal abscess (20.8%). The age, fever rate, white blood cell count, location of mass, thickened fallopian tube rate, and pelvic effusion rate were not statistically different between the two groups, the nausea and vomiting and remaining CT signs were significant different between the two groups (P＜0.05). Multivariate logistic analysis showed that nausea and vomiting (OR＝4.886), navel sign (OR＝22.733), and whirl sign (OR＝43.462) were independently associated with adnexal torsion (P＜0.05). The area under the curve (AUC) of nausea and vomiting, navel sign, and whirl sign were 0.717, 0.802, and 0.840, respectively; AUC of the combination of all three was 0.877 with 92.45% of sensitivity, 84.91% of specificity, 85.96% of positive predictive value, 91.84% of negative predictive value, and 88.68% of accuracy. Conclusions For women with abdominal pain and an adnexal mass, nausea and vomiting, navel sign, and whirl sign are help of predicting adnexal torsion, and combination value of all three is best.

Background::Although overnight fasting is recommended prior to endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), the benefits and safety of high-carbohydrate fluid diet (CFD) intake 2 h before ERCP remain unclear. This study aimed to analyze whether high-CFD intake 2 h before ERCP can be safe and accelerate patients’ recovery.Methods::This prospective, multicenter, randomized controlled trial involved 15 tertiary ERCP centers. A total of 1330 patients were randomized into CFD group ( n = 665) and fasting group ( n = 665). The CFD group received 400 mL of maltodextrin orally 2 h before ERCP, while the control group abstained from food/water overnight (>6 h) before ERCP. All ERCP procedures were performed using deep sedation with intravenous propofol. The investigators were blinded but not the patients. The primary outcomes included postoperative fatigue and abdominal pain score, and the secondary outcomes included complications and changes in metabolic indicators. The outcomes were analyzed according to a modified intention-to-treat principle. Results::The post-ERCP fatigue scores were significantly lower at 4 h (4.1 ± 2.6 vs. 4.8 ± 2.8, t = 4.23, P <0.001) and 20 h (2.4 ± 2.1 vs. 3.4 ± 2.4, t= 7.94, P <0.001) in the CFD group, with least-squares mean differences of 0.48 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.26–0.71, P <0.001) and 0.76 (95% CI: 0.57–0.95, P <0.001), respectively. The 4-h pain scores (2.1 ± 1.7 vs. 2.2 ± 1.7, t = 2.60, P = 0.009, with a least-squares mean difference of 0.21 [95% CI: 0.05–0.37]) and positive urine ketone levels (7.7% [39/509] vs. 15.4% [82/533], χ2 = 15.13, P <0.001) were lower in the CFD group. The CFD group had significantly less cholangitis (2.1% [13/634] vs. 4.0% [26/658], χ2 = 3.99, P = 0.046) but not pancreatitis (5.5% [35/634] vs. 6.5% [43/658], χ2 = 0.59, P = 0.444). Subgroup analysis revealed that CFD reduced the incidence of complications in patients with native papilla (odds ratio [OR]: 0.61, 95% CI: 0.39–0.95, P = 0.028) in the multivariable models. Conclusion::Ingesting 400 mL of CFD 2 h before ERCP is safe, with a reduction in post-ERCP fatigue, abdominal pain, and cholangitis during recovery.Trail Registration::ClinicalTrials.gov, No. NCT03075280.

Objective To explore the value of nomogram model based on clinical data and MRI findings for predicting simultaneous liver metastasis(SLM)of rectal cancer.Methods Clinical and MRI data of 356 patients with rectal cancer were randomly divided into training set(n=249,45 cases of SLM)and validation set(n=107,27 cases of SLM)at a ratio of 7∶3.Logistic regression analysis were used to screen the independent factors for predicting SLM of rectal cancer.The nomogram model was then constructed,and the efficacy of this model was evaluated.Results Tumor N-stage,serum carcinoembryonic antigen,carbohydrate antigen 19-9 and involvement of mesorectal fascia(MRF)or not were all independent factors for predicting SLM of rectal cancer.The area under the curve(AUC)of this nomogram model for predicting rectal cancer SLM in training set and validation set was 0.834(95％CI[0.776,0.893])and 0.769(95％CI[0.662,0.877]),respectively.The calibration curve showed good consistency between the predicted values and the measured values,and the decision curve analysis showed that the nomogram model had good clinical practicality.Conclusion The nomogram model based on clinical data and MRI findings could be used to predict SLM of rectal cancer.

Objective    To explore the predictive value of CT signs of mixed ground-glass nodules in the pathological subtype and differentiation of lung adenocarcinoma. Methods    The clinical data of 66 patients with mixed ground-glass nodules pathologically diagnosed as invasive adenocarcinoma (IAC) in the Second Department of Thoracic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University from May to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed, including 20 males and 46 females, aged 35-75 years. The CT findings were analyzed before operation, and the lesion profile was cut after operation to distinguish the ground-glass and solid components, and the pathological results of different positions were obtained. According to the postoperative pathological results, the patients were divided into a low-risk group (containing adherent type and no components of micropapillary subtype and solid subtype, n=16), a medium-risk group (containing niple or acinar type and no components of micropapillary subtype and solid subtype, n=38), and a high-risk group (containing micropapillary or solid subtype, n=12). The relationships between CT features and the pathological subtype and degree of differentiation were analyzed and compared. Results    In 66 patients with IAC, the infiltration degree of solid components was greater than that of ground-glass components. When the solid component ratio (CTR) was≥25% (sensitivity 90.2%, specificity 64.0%, P=0.005), and the average CT value was>−283.95 HU (sensitivity 82.9%, specificity 64.0%, P=0.000), the histological grade was more inclined to medium and low differentiation. The CTR, Ki-67, average CT value and histological grade of IAC in the medium- and high-risk groups were higher than those of nodules in the low-risk group. Conclusion    The infiltration degree of solid components is higher than that of ground-glass components in IAC mixed ground-glass nodules. The pathological subtype, Ki-67 expression and histological grade of lung adenocarcinoma can be predicted according to its CT characteristics, which has important clinical significance for determining the timing of surgery.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of Tongbu Qijing Acupuncture combined with metformin hydrochloride tablet on polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) combined with insulin resistance (IR) of kidney-deficiency phlegm dampness type.Methods:Randomized controlled trial. 84 patients with PCOS and IR in the hospital were enrolled as the observation objects between November 2019 and November 2021. According to random number table method, they were divided into observation group (Tongbu Qijing Acupuncture combined with metformin hydrochloride tablets) and control group (oral metformin hydrochloride tablets), 42 in each group. All were treated for 3 courses of treatment (1 month/course). TCM syndromes were scored before and after treatment. The height, weight, waist circumference and hip circumference of patients were measured to calculate body mass index (BMI) and waist-hip ratio (WHR). The levels of serum TG, TC, LDL-C and HDL-C were detected by biochemical analyzer, fasting blood glucose (FPG) was detected by glucose oxidase method, fasting insulin (FINS) was detected by electrochemiluminescence method, and insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) was calculated. The recovery rates of menstruation and ovulation were observed and compared after treatment, and the clinical curative effect was evaluated.Results:There were significant differences in total response rate between observation group and control group [95.24% (40/42) vs. 80.95% (34/42); χ2=4.09, P=0.043]. After treatment, scores of TCM syndromes, BMI and WHR in observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group ( t=20.36, 23.77, 3.44, P<0.01). After treatment, serum FPG [(4.86±0.51) nmol/L vs. (5.41±0.55) nmol/L, t=4.75], FINS [(8.31±0.85) mU/L vs. (10.11±1.02) mU/L, t=8.79] levels and HOMA-IR [(1.88±0.19) vs. (2.44±0.25), t=11.97] in observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group ( P<0.01). After treatment, levels of serum TG, TC and LDL-C in observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group ( t=16.54, 4.81, 5.35, P<0.01), while HDL-C was significantly higher than that of the control group ( t=6.78, P<0.01). After treatment, there were significant differences in recovery rates of menstruation and ovulation between observation group and control group [57.14% (24/42), 47.62% (20/42) vs. 80.95% (34/42), 69.05% (29/42); χ2=5.57, 3.97, P<0.05]. Conclusion:Tongbu Qijing Acupuncture combined with metformin hydrochloride tablet can effectively improve syndromes and signs, regulate glucose-lipid metabolism, reduce IR and promote the recovery of menstruation and ovulation in patients with PCOS and IR.