Male ; Humans ; Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; Varicocele/diagnosis* ; Biomarkers

Objective:To investigate the association of urinary cadmium level with body mass index (BMI) and body circumferences among the older adults over 65 years old in 9 longevity areas of China.Methods:Subjects were older adults over 65 years old from the Healthy Aging and Biomarkers Cohort Study (HABCS) between 2017 and 2018 conducted in 9 longevity areas in China. A total of 1 968 older adults were included in this study. Information including socio-demographic characteristics, lifestyles, diet intake, and health status was collected by using questionnaires and physical examinations. Urine samples were collected to detect urinary cadmium and creatinine levels. Body circumferences included waist circumference, hip circumference and calf circumference. Subjects were divided into three groups (low:<0.77 μg/g·creatinine, middle:0.77-1.69 μg/g·creatinine, high:≥1.69 μg/g·creatinine) by tertiles of creatinine-adjusted urinary cadmium concentration. Multiple linear regression models were used to analyze the association of creatinine-adjusted urinary cadmium level with BMI and body circumferences. The dose-response relationship of creatinine-adjusted urinary cadmium concentration with BMI and body circumferences was analyzed by using restrictive cubic splines fitting multiple linear regression model.Results:The mean age of subjects was (83.34±11.14) years old. The median (Q1, Q3) concentration of creatinine-adjusted urinary cadmium was 1.13 (0.63, 2.09) μg/g·creatinine, and the BMI was (22.70±3.82) kg/m 2. The mean values of waist circumference, hip circumference, and calf circumference were (85.42±10.68) cm, (92.67±8.90) cm, and (31.08±4.76) cm, respectively. After controlling confounding factors, the results of the multiple linear regression model showed that for each increment of 1 μg/g·creatinine in creatinine-adjusted urinary cadmium, the change of BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference, and calf circumference in the high-level group was -0.28 (-0.37, -0.19) kg/m 2, -0.74 (-0.96, -0.52) cm, -0.78 (-0.96, -0.61) cm, and -0.20 (-0.30, -0.11) cm, respectively. The restrictive cubic splines curve showed a negative nonlinear association of creatinine-adjusted urinary cadmium with BMI ( Pnonlinear<0.001) and negative linear associations of creatinine-adjusted urinary cadmium with waist circumference ( Plinear<0.001), hip circumference ( Plinear<0.001), and calf circumference ( Plinear<0.001). Conclusion:Urinary cadmium level is significantly associated with decreased BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference and calf circumference among older adults over 65 years old in 9 longevity areas of China.

Objective:To explore the predictive value of the prognostic nutritional index (PNI) in concurrently infected patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF).Methods:220 cases with ACLF diagnosed and treated at the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University from January 2011 to December 2016 were selected. Patients were divided into an infection and non-infection group according to whether they had co-infections during the course of the disease. Clinical data differences were compared between the two groups of patients. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to screen out influencing factors related to co-infection. The receiver operating characteristic curve was used to evaluate the predictive value of PNI for ACLF co-infection. The measurement data between groups were compared using the independent sample t-test and the Mann-Whitney U rank sum test. The enumeration data were analyzed using the Fisher exact probability test or the Pearson χ2 test. The Pearson method was performed for correlation analysis. The independent risk factors for liver failure associated with co-infection were analyzed by multivariate logistic analysis. Results:There were statistically significant differences in ascites, hepatorenal syndrome, PNI score, and albumin between the infection and the non-infection group ( P ?

Objective:To investigate the association of urinary cadmium level with body mass index (BMI) and body circumferences among the older adults over 65 years old in 9 longevity areas of China.Methods:Subjects were older adults over 65 years old from the Healthy Aging and Biomarkers Cohort Study (HABCS) between 2017 and 2018 conducted in 9 longevity areas in China. A total of 1 968 older adults were included in this study. Information including socio-demographic characteristics, lifestyles, diet intake, and health status was collected by using questionnaires and physical examinations. Urine samples were collected to detect urinary cadmium and creatinine levels. Body circumferences included waist circumference, hip circumference and calf circumference. Subjects were divided into three groups (low:<0.77 μg/g·creatinine, middle:0.77-1.69 μg/g·creatinine, high:≥1.69 μg/g·creatinine) by tertiles of creatinine-adjusted urinary cadmium concentration. Multiple linear regression models were used to analyze the association of creatinine-adjusted urinary cadmium level with BMI and body circumferences. The dose-response relationship of creatinine-adjusted urinary cadmium concentration with BMI and body circumferences was analyzed by using restrictive cubic splines fitting multiple linear regression model.Results:The mean age of subjects was (83.34±11.14) years old. The median (Q1, Q3) concentration of creatinine-adjusted urinary cadmium was 1.13 (0.63, 2.09) μg/g·creatinine, and the BMI was (22.70±3.82) kg/m 2. The mean values of waist circumference, hip circumference, and calf circumference were (85.42±10.68) cm, (92.67±8.90) cm, and (31.08±4.76) cm, respectively. After controlling confounding factors, the results of the multiple linear regression model showed that for each increment of 1 μg/g·creatinine in creatinine-adjusted urinary cadmium, the change of BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference, and calf circumference in the high-level group was -0.28 (-0.37, -0.19) kg/m 2, -0.74 (-0.96, -0.52) cm, -0.78 (-0.96, -0.61) cm, and -0.20 (-0.30, -0.11) cm, respectively. The restrictive cubic splines curve showed a negative nonlinear association of creatinine-adjusted urinary cadmium with BMI ( Pnonlinear<0.001) and negative linear associations of creatinine-adjusted urinary cadmium with waist circumference ( Plinear<0.001), hip circumference ( Plinear<0.001), and calf circumference ( Plinear<0.001). Conclusion:Urinary cadmium level is significantly associated with decreased BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference and calf circumference among older adults over 65 years old in 9 longevity areas of China.

Objective To explore the effects of motor acupuncture based on movement pattern adjustment theory on Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), modified Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score and the prognosis in patients with non-specific low back pain (NLBP). Methods A total of 98 patients with NLBP who were admitted to the hospital from March 2020 to March 2023 were randomly divided into control group and observation group, with 49 patients in each group. The control group received lumbar and pelvic rhythm training, while the observation group received motor acupuncture based on movement pattern adjustment theory. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score, ODI score, JOA score, low back electromyographic signals[the ratio of maximum EMG during extension to maximum EMG during maximum voluntary flexion (EXT/MVF) and the ratio of maximum EMG during flexion to maximum EMG during maximum voluntary flexion (FLEX/MVF)], and serum inflammatory factors[interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α] in both groups were observed before and after treatment. Clinical efficacy and 3-month recurrence rate were compared between the two groups. Results After 2 weeks of treatment, VAS score and ODI score of the observation group were lower than those of the control group, and JOA score was higher than that of the control group (P < 0.05). EXT/MVF and FLEX/MVF of the erector spinae and multifidus muscle in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05). Serum IL-6, IL-1 β and TNF-α levels two weeks after treatment in the observation group were lower than those in the control group(P < 0.05). The effective rate of the observation group was higher, and 3-month recurrence rate of the observation group was lower than that of the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusion Motor acupuncture based on movement pattern adjustment theory can achieve significant therapeutic effect in treating NLBP, which can effectively alleviate pain, improve lumbar function, and reduce inflammatory reactions, with good prognosis and a low recurrence rate.

Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) is a chronic, diffuse meibomian gland disorder, which has complex pathogenesis and high prevalence.It has become one of the common ocular surface diseases in clinics, and its treatment has been the clinical research focus and a challenge over the years.The traditional treatments consist of lifestyle improvement, physical therapy, medical treatments and surgery, in which drug plays an important role.According to the etiology and pathogenesis of MGD, the applied drugs can be classified into three categories.The first category is to improve the quality of tears and the stability of tear film, including artificial tear and ocular surface lubricants, secretagogues (promoting the secretion of lipids, aqueous solution and mucin), androgens, etc.The second category is to improve the ocular surface microenvironment, including local and systemic antibiotics, glucocorticoid eyedrops, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, immunosuppressants, anti-mites drugs, etc.The third category is nutritional supplements and neuroprotectants, including vitamin D3, omega-3 fatty acids, autologous serum and so on.This review focused on widely-used and current emerging treatment options, aiming to provide references for clinical treatments and further study on MGD.

ObjectiveTo investigate the influencing factors for the prognosis of patients with acute－on－chronic liver failure （ACLF）， and to establish a short－term prognostic model. MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed for the baseline clinical data of 247 patients with ACLF who were hospitalized in Department of Infectious Diseases， The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University， from January 2011 to December 2016， and the patients were divided into survival group and death group. The two groups were compared to identify the influencing factors for prognosis； a prognostic model was established， and the receiver operating characteristic （ROC） curve was used to assess its predictive efficacy and determine the optimal cut－off value. The independent－samples t test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between groups， and the Mann－Whitney U rank sum test was used for comparison of non－normally distributed continuous data between groups； the Fisher’s exact test or the Pearson’s chi－square test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups. The univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to investigate the independent risk factors for 28－ and 90－day prognosis， and the Kaplan－Meier method was used to plot the 28－day survival curves. ResultsA total of 220 patients with ACLF were included based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria； there were 148 patients in the 28－day survival group and 72 patients in the 28－day death group， with a 28－day transplantation－free survival rate of 67.27%； there were 115 patients in the 90－day survival group and 105 patients in the 90－day death group， with a 90－day transplantation－free survival rate of 52.27%. The logistic regression analysis showed that female sex （odds ratio ［OR］=2.149， P=0.030）， high Model for End－Stage Liver Disease （MELD） score （OR=1.120， P<0.001）， and low lymphocyte count （OR=0.411， P=0.002） were independent risk factors for 28－day prognosis， and an LS－MELD model for 28－day prognosis was established as Logit （28－day prognosis）=－3.432+0.765×sex－0.890×lymphocyte count×10^－9+0.113×MELD（1 for male sex and 2 for female sex）. The ROC curve analysis showed that this model had an optimal cut－off value of 0.35， and then the patients were divided into low LS－MELD group （≤0.35） and high LS－MELD group （>0.35）； the low LS－MELD group had a significantly higher 28－day survival rate than the high LS－MELD group （P<0.001）. ConclusionPeripheral blood lymphocyte count combined with sex and MELD score has a certain value in predicting the short－term prognosis of ALCF patients.

OBJECTIVE To establish a method to detect the blood concentration of ibrutinib and apply it to the clinic. METHODS Using zanubrutinib as internal standard， the concentration of ibrutinib was detected by high performance liquid chromatography （HPLC） after plasma samples were processed by solid-phase extraction. The separation was performed on an Agilent 5 TC-C18（2） column with acetonitrile-0.5% potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution （43∶57， V/V） as the mobile phase at a flow rate of 1 mL/min， a detection wavelength of 260 nm， a column temperature of 40 ℃ ， a sample size of 20 μL， and a run time of 25 min. The concentration of ibrutinib was measured in the plasma of 9 patients with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma 2 h after drug administration on the 30th day by the above method. RESULTS The linear range of the assayed mass concentration of ibrutinib was 10-500 ng/mL （R 2＝0.998 9）， the lower limit of quantification was 10 ng/mL， and the RSDs of the intra-batch and inter-batch precision tests were not higher than 12.77%. The recoveries of the extraction were 74.80% and 97.70%， with both RSDs＜2.90%， and the RSDs of the stability tests were not higher than 7.10%. The peak plasma concentrations of 9 patients were 15.341-279.628 ng/mL. CONCLUSIONS The established HPLC method is simple and rapid， and can be used for the determination of ibrutinib concentration in plasma samples.

Objective To investigate the prevalence of hepatitis D virus (HDV) infection among patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in some regions of China. Methods Serum samples were collected from 3 131 patients with chronic HBV infection in 10 provinces, cities, and autonomous regions of China from March 2021 to June 2022, and anti-HDV IgG ELISA was used for the detection of all serum samples. Nested reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (nRT-PCR) was used to detect HDV RNA in anti-HDV IgG-positive samples, and the nRT-PCR amplification products of HDV RNA-positive samples were sequenced and analyzed to determine HDV genotype. The clinical features of anti-HDV IgG-positive patients were analyzed. The Mann-Whitney U rank sum test was used for comparison of continuous data between two groups, and the chi-square test or the Fisher's exact test was used for comparison of categorical data between two groups. Results The positive rate of anti-HDV IgG in the 3 131 patients with chronic HBV infection was 0.70% (22/3 131), and that in the patients with chronic HBV infection in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Beijing, and Hunan Province was 1.81% (16/886), 0.88% (2/226), 0.28% (2/708), and 1.00% (2/200), respectively; the patients with chronic HBV infection in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region had a significantly higher positive rate of anti-HDV IgG than those in Beijing ( P =0.004), and there was no significant difference between the other regions ( P > 0.05). Clinical features of the patients with chronic HBV infection in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region showed that compared with the anti-HDV IgG-negative group, the anti-HDV IgG-positive group had a significantly higher proportion of patients with Mongol nationality ( P =0.001), abnormal alanine aminotransferase ( P =0.007), or antiviral treatment ( P =0.029), as well as a significantly lower median HBV DNA level ( P =0.030). A total of 19 HDV RNA-positive samples were identified, all of which had HDV genotype 1. Conclusion The prevalence rate of HDV varies greatly across different regions of China, with a higher prevalence rate of HDV in patients with chronic HBV infection from Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. HDV genotype 1 is the predominant genotype in some provinces and cities of northern China.

Objective:To identify the differentially expressed long-chain non-coding RNA(lncRNA) and mRNA using ribonucleic acid sequencing(RNA-seq), and construct a competing endogenous RNA(ceRNA) regulatory network in mice with sepsis-associated encephalopathy.Methods:Ten clean-grade healthy male C57BL/6 mice, aged 6-8 weeks, weighing 20-25 g, were divided into 2 groups( n=5 each) using a random number table method: sham operation group(group Sham) and sepsis group(group Sepsis). Sepsis was induced by cecal ligation and puncture(CLP) in group Sepsis, while group Sham only underwent laparotomy without CLP. Morris water maze test and contextual fear conditioning test were performed to detect the cognitive function on 1 day before CLP and 3 days after CLP. Three mice were randomly sacrificed in group Sham, and 3 mice with the worst results in the cognitive function test were sacrificed in group Sepsis. The hippocampal tissues were obtained for RNA-seq via the BGISEQ-500 platform, and the differentially expressed mRNA and lncRNA were identified. The differentially expressed mRNAs and lncRNAs were visualized and analyzed by Dr. Tom platform provided by Shenzhen BGI Technology Service Co., Ltd., and the ceRNA regulatory network was constructed using the online visualization tool Cytoscape software. Results:Compared with group Sham, the escape latency was significantly prolonged, and the percentage of time of staying at the target quadrants and percentage of time spent freezing were decreased in group Sepsis( P<0.05). A total of 62 differentially expressed lncRNAs were obtained from RNA-seq, of which the expression of 45 lncRNAs was up-regulated and the expression of 17 lncRNAs was down-regulated.There were 282 differentially expressed mRNAs identified from RNA-seq, of which the expression of 173 mRNAs was up-regulated, and the expression of 109 mRNAs was down-regulated.Gene Ontology enrichment analysis revealed that the differentially expressed mRNAs were involved in biological processes such as memory, learning or memory, inflammatory responses, regulation of aging-related behavioral decline, and regulation of synaptic plasticity. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis showed that differentially expressed mRNAs were enriched in IL-17 signaling pathway, TNF signaling pathway, NF-κB signaling pathway and etc. KDA analysis was performed on the differentially expressed mRNAs to identify the key driver genes, and the results showed that Ch25h, Il6ra, Lcn2, Sgk1, Nr4a3, Osm, Saa3, Ccl7, Sqle, Dhcr24 were the key SAE genes.A competing endogenous RNA regulatory network was successfully constructed based on 9 lncRNAs, 28 mRNAs and 134 miRNAs in the hippocampus of mice with SAE. Conclusions:The results of RNA-seq find that 10 mRNAs including Ch25h, Il6ra, Lcn2, Sgk1, Nr4a3, Osm, Saa3, Ccl7, Sqle, Dhcr24 and lncRNAs such as Rian, Gm35874 and Gm34347 are key genes regulating SAE in mice. Meanwhile, a ceRNA regulatory network based on lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA is successfully constructed in the hippocampus of mice with SAE.