Objective To analyze the outcomes of catheter ablation for persistent atrial fibrillation(AF)and the independent risk factors for its recurrence in the elderly.Methods A total of 194 patients with persistent AF who underwent catheter ablation at our department from January 2019 to December 2021 were enrolled in this study.They were divided into elderly group(≥60 years old,99 cases)and non-elderly group(＜60 years old,95 cases).Their surgical characteris-tics,postoperative complications and recurrence were compared between the two groups,and the independent risk factors for postoperative recurrence were analyzed in the elderly group.Results Advanced age,higher B-type natriuretic peptide,larger proportions of hypertension and coronary heart disease,and increased CHA2DS2-VASc and HAS-BLED scores,while lower male ratio and estimated glomerular filtration rate were observed in the elderly group than the non-elderly group(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).The elderly group had a higher proportion of left atrial fibrosis than the non-elderly group(30.3％vs 8.4％,P=0.001).Postoperative complications in the elderly group in-cluded 1 case of pericardial effusion and 2 cases of hematoma at the puncture site,and all of these were improved after treatment.There were no significant differences in the 1-year success rate(71.7％vs 69.5％,P=0.763)or recurrence rate during blanking period(21.2％vs 21.1％,P=0.981)between the elderly and non-elderly groups.AF duration(HR=1.020,95％CI:1.007-1.032,P=0.002)and recurrence during blanking period(HR=6.781,95％CI:3.078-14.935,P=0.001)were independent risk factors for postoperative recurrence in the elderly group.Conclu-sion Catheter ablation is safe and effective in the treatment of persistent AF in the elderly.The elderly patients with long duration of AF and recurrences during blanking period are more likely to experience recurrences within 1 year after ablation.

Objective To investigate the incidence rate,clinical characteristics,and prognosis of neonatal stroke in Shenzhen,China.Methods Led by Shenzhen Children's Hospital,the Shenzhen Neonatal Data Collaboration Network organized 21 institutions to collect 36 cases of neonatal stroke from January 2020 to December 2022.The incidence,clinical characteristics,treatment,and prognosis of neonatal stroke in Shenzhen were analyzed.Results The incidence rate of neonatal stroke in 21 hospitals from 2020 to 2022 was 1/15 137,1/6 060,and 1/7 704,respectively.Ischemic stroke accounted for 75％(27/36);boys accounted for 64％(23/36).Among the 36 neonates,31(86％)had disease onset within 3 days after birth,and 19(53％)had convulsion as the initial presentation.Cerebral MRI showed that 22 neonates(61％)had left cerebral infarction and 13(36％)had basal ganglia infarction.Magnetic resonance angiography was performed for 12 neonates,among whom 9(75％)had involvement of the middle cerebral artery.Electroencephalography was performed for 29 neonates,with sharp waves in 21 neonates(72％)and seizures in 10 neonates(34％).Symptomatic/supportive treatment varied across different hospitals.Neonatal Behavioral Neurological Assessment was performed for 12 neonates(33％,12/36),with a mean score of(32±4)points.The prognosis of 27 neonates was followed up to around 12 months of age,with 44％(12/27)of the neonates having a good prognosis.Conclusions Ischemic stroke is the main type of neonatal stroke,often with convulsions as the initial presentation,involvement of the middle cerebral artery,sharp waves on electroencephalography,and a relatively low neurodevelopment score.Symptomatic/supportive treatment is the main treatment method,and some neonates tend to have a poor prognosis.

Redirecting immune cells to the tumor cells and enhancing its anti-tumor immune response is a very promising cancer treatment strategy. AS1411 aptamers have high affinity for malignant tumors with high nucleolin expression, and cytotoxic T lymphocyte associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) aptamers can specifically bind to CTLA-4, which is expressed by T cells. In this study, a dual-affinity aptamer targeted liposome (Dat. Lipo) was constructed based on AS1411 aptamer and CTLA-4 aptamer, and its immunotherapeutic effect on T cells was studied. After the aptamer was modified with cholesterol, Dat. Lipo was prepared by instillation method; its effect of redirecting T cells was determined by confocal micrographs; its T cell immunotherapy effect was evaluated by cell counting kit-8 (CCK8) and T cell penetration was evaluated by tumor spheroids. The results showed that compared with liposomes loaded with one type aptamer, Dat. Lipo could effectively promote the redirection of T cells to tumor cells; Dat. Lipo had good biosafety and immunotherapeutic effect on MCF-7 and HepG2 cells in a concentration-dependent manner; Dat. Lipo could also promote T cells to infiltrate into the tumor spheroids and enhance the immunotherapy effect of T cells in different dimensions. In summary, Dat. Lipo can use the high affinity of aptamers to redirect T cells to tumor cells, enhance the effect of immunotherapy, and has a promising application prospect in tumor therapy. This study was approved by the Examination Committee of Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Hunan Cancer Hospital.

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 observe the effect of calcified lymph nodes on video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) lobectomy in the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients with lung cancer. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the COPD patients with lung cancer who underwent VATS lobectomy in the Department of Thoracic Surgery in the First Affiliated Hospital of Hebei North University from May 2014 to May 2018.The patients were assigned into a calcified lymph node group and a control group according to the presence or absence of calcified lymph nodes in CT,and the size,morphology,and calcification degree of the lymph nodes were recorded.The operation duration,intraoperative blood loss,chest tube retention time,hospitalization days,and overall complication rate were compared between the two groups. Results The 30 patients in the calcified lymph node group included 17 patients with one calcified lymph node and 13 patients with two or more calcified lymph nodes,and a total of 65 calcified lymph nodes were recorded.The calcified lymph nodes with the size ≤5 mm were the most common (53.8%),and complete calcification was the most common form (55.4%) in lymph node calcification.The mean operation duration had no significant difference between the calcified lymph node group and the control group (t=-1.357,P=0.180).The intraoperative blood loss (t=-2.646,P=0.010),chest tube retention time (t=-2.302,P=0.025),and hospitalization days (t=-2.274,P=0.027) in the calcified lymph node group were higher than those in the control group. Conclusion Calcified lymph nodes increase the difficulty and risk of VATS lobectomy in the COPD patients with lung cancer.The findings of this study are conducive to predicting the perioperative process of VATS lobectomy.
Humans ; Blood Loss, Surgical ; Retrospective Studies ; Lung Neoplasms/surgery* ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; Calcinosis ; Lymph Nodes

Objective:To explore the effects of knocking down glycine cleavage system H protein (GCSH) on proliferation, apoptosis, oxidative stress and migration of gastric cancer SNU-1 cells in vitro. Methods:SNU-1 cells were cultured in vitro and divided into control group (no transfection) , negative control group (transfection of negative control siRNA) and GCSH knockdown group (transfection of GCSH siRNA) . Quantitative PCR was used to detect the knockdown effect. Immunofluorescence was used to observe the morphology of cells in each group. CCK-8 was used to test the proliferation of SNU-1 cells. Flow cytometry was used to detect the apoptosis and oxidative stress level, and scratch test was used to detect the cell migration. Results:Quantitative PCR experiment showed that the relative expression levels of GCSH in the control group, negative control group and GCSH knockdown group were 1.29±0.16, 1.36±0.17 and 0.32±0.04, respectively ( F=90.32, P<0.001) . There was no significant difference between the control group and negative control group ( P=0.497) . Compared to the negative control group, the GCSH knockdown group was significantly decreased ( P<0.001) . Immunofluorescence experiment showed no significant difference in the morphology of cells among the groups. The CCK-8 experiment results showed that the cell proliferation activities of the control group, negative control group and GCSH knockdown group were 2.63±0.12, 2.61±0.14, 2.45±0.14, respectively ( F=6.35, P=0.005) . There was no significant difference between the control group and negative control group ( P=0.751) , and the GCSH knockdown group significantly decreased compared to the negative control group ( P=0.011) . The results of flow cytometry showed that the early stage apoptosis rates of SNU-1 cells in the control group, negative control group and GCSH knockdown group were (13.38±0.45) %, (12.86±0.65) %, (20.04±3.61) %, respectively ( F=15.37, P<0.001) . There was no significant difference between the control group and negative control group ( P=0.559) . Compared to the negative control group, the GCSH knockdown group significantly increased ( P=0.002) . The late stage apoptosis rates of the three groups were (2.21±0.25) %, (2.68±0.45) %, (5.67±1.67) %, respectively ( F=18.24, P<0.001) . There was no significant difference between the control group and negative control group ( P=0.356) . Compared to the negative control group, the GCSH knockdown group showed a significant increase ( P=0.024) . The reactive oxygen species positive rates in the control group, negative control group and GCSH knockdown group were (26.98±8.79) %, (28.27±5.63) %, (48.41±0.94) %, respectively ( F=22.56, P<0.001) . There was no significant difference between the control group and negative control group ( P=0.950) . Compared to the negative control group, the GCSH knockdown group significantly increased ( P<0.001) . The cell migration rates of the control group, negative control group and GCSH knockdown group were (48.29±5.79) %, (51.66±2.29) %, (14.01±1.56) %, respectively ( F=148.80, P<0.001) . There was no significant difference between the control group and negative control group ( P=0.328) . Compared with the negative control group, the GCSH knockdown group significantly decreased ( P<0.001) . Conclusion:Knock down of GCSH gene can inhibit the proliferation and migration, increase cell apoptosis rate and oxidative stress of SNU-1 cells in vitro. GCSH gene may be a potential target for the treatment of gastric cancer.

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 explore the distribution patterns of cardiometabolic diseases (CMD) in elderly patients with colorectal cancer, and provide a reference for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular metabolic diseases in these patients. Methods: Clinical data of 3 894 elderly patients with colorectal cancer from January 2008 to March 2018 admitted in the Chinese PLA General Hospital were recruited and the incidence rate of CMD was retrospectively analyzed. The influence factors of elderly patients with colorectal cancer combined with CMD were analyzed by multivariate Logistic regression model. Results: The morbidity rate of CMD in elderly patients with colorectal cancer is 33.4% (1 301/3 894), among them, the morbidity rate of the male was 31.9% (768/2 409), and that of the female was 35.9% (533/1 485). There was not significant difference between these two sex (P=0.074). The morbidity rates of CMD in patients of 65-74 years, 75-84 years and ≥85 years were 30.6% (754/2 462), 37.0% (479/1 294) and 49.3% (68/138), respectively, with significant differences (P<0.001). Multiple Logistic regression analysis revealed that female (OR=1.213, 95%CI: 1.056-1.394), age (75-84 years group: OR=1.344, 95%CI: 1.164-1.552; ≥85 years group: OR=2.345, 95%CI: 1.651-3.331) and body mass index (BMI 18.5-24.9 kg/m(2) group: OR=1.319, 95%CI: 1.065-1.638; ≥25 kg/m(2) group: OR=2.041, 95%CI: 1.627-2.561) were independent risk factors for elderly colorectal cancer patients with CMD. Conclusion: The morbidity rate of CMD in elderly patients with colorectal cancer increases with age and it is urgent to strengthen multidisciplinary cooperation and develop reasonable treatment plans to extend the survival and life quality of these patients.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; China/epidemiology* ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors

Adult ; Aged ; China/epidemiology* ; Cohort Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Metabolic Syndrome/etiology* ; Middle Aged ; Parks, Recreational/supply & distribution* ; Prevalence ; Residence Characteristics/statistics & numerical data* ; Rural Population/statistics & numerical data* ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To observe clinical effect of calcium sulfate on promoting natural healing of docking sites during bone transport. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed on the patients with posttraumatic chronic osteomyelitis treated by bone transport and calcium sulfate implantation from January 2013 to January 2018. There were 23 males and 4 females, aged from 20 to 61 years old with an average of (44.30±10.00) years, the courses of disease ranged from 3 to 86 months with an average of(13.26±16.47) months. Sixteen patients with posttraumatic chronic osteomyelitis were caused by internal fixation of closed fractures, and 11 patients were caused by open fractures. The length of bone defects after debridement ranged from 4 to 14 cm with an average of(9.11±2.57) cm. Postoperative complications, natural healing rate of the docking sites, external fixation index were observed, Checketts & Otterburn pin-tract infection classification was used to evaluate pin-tract infection, and Paley evaluation criteria was used to evaluate bone and function results. RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients were followed up from 26 to 41 months with an average of (31.32±3.37) months. It did not happened skin embedded between bone stumps in all patients. All patients obtained bone union at (17.78±5.43) months after operation.Among them, 25 patients healed naturally in the docking sites, 2 patients with poor compliance healed after debridement and bone grafting in the docking sites. One patient occurred equines deformity, and no re-fracture or recurrence of infection occurred. According to Checketts & Otterburn pin tract infection classification, 22 patients (41 pin tracts)occurred pin-tract infection with varying degrees. The average external fixation index was (2.02±0.24) months/cm(ranged from 1.6 to 2.4 months/cm). According to Paley evaluation criteria, bony results showed 21 patients obtained excellent results, 5 good, and 1 moderate;functional results showed 19 patients got excellent results, 7 good, and 1 moderate. CONCLUSION During bone transport, the implantation of calcium sulfate on the bone defect areas could prevent skin embedding between the bone stumps, benefit for the natural healing of the docking sites, and could avoid the second-stage debridement and bone grafting for most patients. However, it should be noted that compliance needs to be increased.
Animals ; Bone Transplantation ; Calcium Sulfate ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Fracture Fixation ; Horses ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Osteomyelitis/surgery* ; Retrospective Studies ; Tibial Fractures ; Treatment Outcome