What was the global burden of kidney cancer attributable to high body mass index from 1990 to 2019? There existed some points noteworthy.

Purpose: With the prevalence of high body mass index (HBMI) increasing over the past 30 years, it is essential to examine the impact of obesity on kidney cancer. This study aims to explore the attributable burden of kidney cancer associated with HBMI and its proportion at different levels. Methods and materials: The data used in this research were obtained from the Global Burden of Diseases Study 2019. We utilized DisMod-MR 2.1, a Bayesian meta-regression tool, to estimate the burden of kidney cancer attributable to HBMI, which was measured by age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) and age-standardized disability-adjusted life years rate (ASDR). Correlation analysis was conducted by the Spearman rank order correlation method. The temporal trends were analyzed by estimating the estimated annual percentage change (EAPC). Results: Globally in 2019, there were a total of 31.7 thousand deaths and 751.89 thousand disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) attributable to kidney cancer caused by HBMI, increased by 183.1 and 164%, respectively. Over the period from 1990 to 2019, the burden of kidney cancer attributable to HBMI increased in all regions, with the most significant increases occurring in Low-middle socio-demographic index (SDI) and Low SDI regions. At the national level, countries with lower SDI had lower ASMR and ASDR compared to developed nations. However, the EAPC values, which indicate the rate of increase, were significantly higher in these countries than in developed nations. Furthermore, across all years from 1990 to 2019, males experienced a greater and more rapidly increasing burden of kidney cancer attributable to HBMI than females. Conclusion: As the population grows and dietary patterns shift, the burden of kidney cancer attributable to HBMI is expected to become even more severe. Males and developed regions have borne a heavier burden from 1990 to 2019. However, the EAPC values for both ASMR and ASDR were higher in males but not in regions with higher SDI values.

Research progress on insect visual electrophysiological techniques.

Insect visual electrophysiological techniques are important to study the electrical characteristics of photoreceptor cells and visual neurons in insects, including electroretinography (ERG) and microelectrode intracellular recording (MIR). ERG records the changes of voltage or electric current in the retina of insects in response to different light stimuli, which occurs outside the cell. MIR records the changes in individual photoreceptor cells or visual neurons of an insect exposed to different lights, which occurs inside the cell. Insect visual electrophysiological techniques can explore the mechanism of electrophysiological response of insects' vision to light and reveal their sensitive light spectra and photoreceptor types. This review introduced the basic structure and the principle of ERG and MIR, and summarized their applications in insect researches in the past 20 years, which would provide references for elucidating the mechanism of light perception in insects and the use of insect phototropism to control pests.

Percutaneous Image-Guided Microwave Ablation for Treating Postsurgical Intrapulmonary Oligometastases or Oligorecurrence.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the clinical efficacy of microwave ablation (MWA) in treating tumour patients with postsurgical intrapulmonary oligometastases or oligorecurrence (PIORO). STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive study. Place and Duration of the Study: Departments of Thoracic Surgery and Oncology, Jinan Central Hospital and Qilu Hospital, Jinan, China, from January 2014 to June 2023. METHODOLOGY: Clinical data of 31 patients with PIORO receiving treatment with MWA were retrospectively analysed. After undergoing MWA, the patients were followed up for computed tomography (CT) examination on the 7th day, 1st month, and every 3 months, respectively. The Kaplan-Meier method was conducted to evaluate the clinical outcomes; overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and time to local progression (TTLP). RESULTS: All patients with PIORO were successfully treated with MWA. The 3-year survival rate of patients was 35.5%. The median OS was 26.0 months, the median PFS was 11.1 months, and the median TTLP was 14.4 months. Patients with oligometastatic or oligorecurrent tumours ≤3 cm in diameter showed better PFS (≤3 cm, 14.261 m vs. >3 cm, 7.786 m; p <0.01) and TTLP (≤3 cm, 19.522 m vs. >3 cm, 12.214 m; p <0.05) than those with tumours >3 cm in diameter. Clinical characteristics of the patients were not significantly correlated with OS. CONCLUSION: MWA, as a topically therapeutic method, is an effective procedure for tumour patients with PIORO, especially in cases of oligometastatic or oligorecurrent tumours ≤3 cm in diameter. KEY WORDS: Microwave ablation, Thermal ablation, Oligometastases, Oligorecurrence, Progression-free survival, Survival.

The transcriptomic profile shows the protective effects of celecoxib on cirrhotic splenomegaly.

BACKGROUND: Splenomegaly can exacerbate liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension. We have previously demonstrated that cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor can attenuate cirrhotic splenomegaly. However, the mechanism of cirrhotic splenomegaly remains unclear, thus becoming the focus of the present study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thioacetamide (TAA) intraperitoneal injection was used to induce cirrhotic splenomegaly. Rats were randomized into the control, TAA and TAA + celecoxib groups. Histological analysis and high-throughput RNA sequencing of the spleen were conducted. Splenic collagen III, α-SMA, Ki-67, and VEGF were quantified. RESULTS: A total of 1461 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in the spleens of the TAA group compared to the control group. The immune response and immune cell activation might be the major signaling pathways involved in the pathogenesis of cirrhotic splenomegaly. With its immunoregulatory effect, celecoxib presents to ameliorate cirrhotic splenomegaly and liver cirrhosis. Furthermore, 304 coexisting DEGs were obtained between TAA vs. control and TAA + celecoxib vs. TAA. Gene ontology (GO) and KEGG analyses collectively indicated that celecoxib may attenuate cirrhotic splenomegaly through the suppression of splenic immune cell proliferation, inflammation, immune regulation, and fibrogenesis. The impacts on these factors were subsequently validated by the decreased splenic Ki-67-positive cells, macrophages, fibrotic areas, and mRNA levels of collagen III and α-SMA. CONCLUSIONS: Celecoxib attenuates cirrhotic splenomegaly by inhibiting splenic immune cell proliferation, inflammation, and fibrogenesis. The current study sheds light on the therapeutic strategy of liver cirrhosis by targeting splenic abnormalities and provides COX-2 inhibitors as a novel medical treatment for cirrhotic splenomegaly.

Atypical cholangiocytes derived from hepatocyte-cholangiocyte transdifferentiation mediated by COX-2: a kind of misguided liver regeneration.

BACKGROUND: Hepatocyte-cholangiocyte transdifferentiation (HCT) is a potential origin of proliferating cholangiocytes in liver regeneration after chronic injury. This study aimed to determine HCT after chronic liver injury, verify the impacts of HCT on liver repair, and avoid harmful regeneration by understanding the mechanism. METHODS: A thioacetamide (TAA)-induced liver injury model was established in wild-type (WT-TAA group) and COX-2 panknockout (KO-TAA group) mice. HCT was identified by costaining of hepatocyte and cholangiocyte markers in vivo and in isolated mouse hepatocytes in vitro. The biliary tract was injected with ink and visualized by whole liver optical clearing. Serum and liver bile acid (BA) concentrations were measured. Either a COX-2 selective inhibitor or a ß-catenin pathway inhibitor was administered in vitro. RESULTS: Intrahepatic ductular reaction was associated with COX-2 upregulation in chronic liver injury. Immunofluorescence and RNA sequencing indicated that atypical cholangiocytes were characterized by an intermediate genetic phenotype between hepatocytes and cholangiocytes and might be derived from hepatocytes. The structure of the biliary system was impaired, and BA metabolism was dysregulated by HCT, which was mediated by the TGF-ß/ß-catenin signaling pathway. Genetic deletion or pharmaceutical inhibition of COX-2 significantly reduced HCT in vivo. The COX-2 selective inhibitor etoricoxib suppressed HCT through the TGF-ß-TGFBR1-ß-catenin pathway in vitro. CONCLUSIONS: Atypical cholangiocytes can be derived from HCT, which forms a secondary strike by maldevelopment of the bile drainage system and BA homeostasis disequilibrium during chronic liver injury. Inhibition of COX-2 could ameliorate HCT through the COX-2-TGF-ß-TGFBR1-ß-catenin pathway and improve liver function.

Modelling the liver region as porous media to noninvasively measure portal vein pressure gradient (PPG) with numerical methods.

Portal hypertension is the initial and main consequence of liver cirrhosis. Currently the diagnosis relies on invasive and complex operation. This study proposed a new computational method in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis to noninvasively measure the portal pressure gradient (PPG) by considering the liver region as porous media to account for the patient-specific liver resistance. Patient-specific computational models based on the CT scan images and the ultrasound (US) velocity measurement was established. The results show that the PPG derived from CFD analysis is in great agreement with clinical measured data (23.93 mmHg vs 23 mmHg). Validation of the numerical method and was performed by post-TIPS PPG measurement (10.69 mmHg vs 11 mmHg). Then the range of porous media parameters is investigated in a validation group of three patients. The computational method proposed in this study is promising in more accurately measuring the PPG noninvasively.

[Mechanism of Yanghe Decoction against subcutaneous tumor in pulmonary metastasis from breast cancer through HIF-1α signaling pathway regulating glycolysis:based on network pharmacology and animal experiment].

This study aims to explore the mechanism of Yanghe Decoction(YHD) against subcutaneous tumor in pulmonary metastasis from breast cancer, which is expected to lay a basis for the treatment of breast carcinoma with YHD. The chemical components of medicinals in YHD, and the targets of the components were retrieved from Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform(TCMSP) and SwissTargetPrediction. The disease-related targets were searched from GeneCards and Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man(OMIM). Excel was employed to screen the common targets and plot the Venn diagram. The protein-protein interaction network was constructed. R language was used for Gene Ontology(GO) term enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) pathway enrichment. A total of 53 female SPF Bablc/6 mice were randomized into normal group(same volume of normal saline, ig), model group(same volume of normal saline, ig), and low-dose and high-dose YHD groups(YHD, ig, 30 days), with 8 mice in normal group and 15 mice in each of the other groups. Body weight and tumor size was measured every day. Curves for body weight variation and growth of tumor in situ were plotted. In the end, the subcutaneous tumor sample was collected and observed based on hematoxylin and eosin(HE) staining. The mRNA and protein levels of hypoxia inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α), pyruvate kinase M2(PKM2), lactate dehydrogenase A(LDHA), and glucose transporter type 1(GLUT1) were detected by PCR and Western blot. A total of 213 active components of YHD and 185 targets against the disease were screened out. The hypothesis that YHD may regulate glycolysis through HIF-1α signaling pathway to intervene in breast cancer was proposed. Animal experiment confirmed that the mRNA and protein levels of HIF-1α, PKM2, LDHA, and GLUT1 in the high-and low-dose YHD groups were lower than those in the model group. YHD has certain inhibitory effect on subcutaneous tumor in pulmonary metastasis from breast cancer in the early stage, which may intervene pulmonary metastasis from breast cancer by regulating glycolysis through HIF-1α signaling pathway.

STING mediates hepatocyte pyroptosis in liver fibrosis by Epigenetically activating the NLRP3 inflammasome.

The activation of stimulator of interferon genes (STING) and NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis signaling pathways represent two distinct central mechanisms in liver disease. However, the interconnections between these two pathways and the epigenetic regulation of the STING-NLRP3 axis in hepatocyte pyroptosis during liver fibrosis remain unknown. STING and NLRP3 inflammasome signaling pathways are activated in fibrotic livers but are suppressed by Sting knockout. Sting knockout ameliorated hepatic pyroptosis, inflammation, and fibrosis. In vitro, STING induces pyroptosis in primary murine hepatocytes by activating the NLRP3 inflammasome. H3K4-specific histone methyltransferase WD repeat-containing protein 5 (WDR5) and DOT1-like histone H3K79 methyltransferase (DOT1L) are identified to regulate NLRP3 expression in STING-overexpressing AML12 hepatocytes. WDR5/DOT1L-mediated histone methylation enhances interferon regulatory transcription factor 3 (IRF3) binding to the Nlrp3 promoter and promotes STING-induced Nlrp3 transcription in hepatocytes. Moreover, hepatocyte-specific Nlrp3 deletion and downstream Gasdermin D (Gsdmd) knockout attenuate hepatic pyroptosis, inflammation, and fibrosis. RNA-sequencing and metabolomics analysis in murine livers and primary hepatocytes show that oxidative stress and metabolic reprogramming might participate in NLRP3-mediated hepatocyte pyroptosis and liver fibrosis. The STING-NLRP3-GSDMD axis inhibition suppresses hepatic ROS generation. In conclusion, this study describes a novel epigenetic mechanism by which the STING-WDR5/DOT1L/IRF3-NLRP3 signaling pathway enhances hepatocyte pyroptosis and hepatic inflammation in liver fibrosis.

Proangiogenic role of circRNA-007371 in liver fibrosis.

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are crucially involved in cancers as competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) or microRNA (miRNA) sponges. However, the function and mechanism of circRNAs in liver fibrosis remain unknown and are the focus of this study. Murine fibrotic models were induced by thioacetamide (TAA) or carbon tetrachloride (CCl4 ). Increased angiogenesis is accompanied by liver fibrosis in TAA- and CCl4 -induced murine fibrotic livers. circRNA microarray and argonaute 2 (AGO2)-RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) sequencing (AGO2-RIP sequencing) were performed in murine livers to screen for functional circRNAs. Compared to control livers, 86 differentially expressed circRNAs were obtained in TAA-induced murine fibrotic livers using circRNA microarray. In addition, 551 circRNAs were explored by AGO2-RIP sequencing of murine fibrotic livers. The circRNA-007371 was then selected and verified for back-spliced junction, resistance to RNase R, and loop formation. In vitro, murine hemangioendothelioma endothelial (EOMA) cells were transfected with circRNA-007371 overexpressing plasmid or empty plasmid. circRNA-007371 overexpression promoted tube formation, migration, and cell proliferation of EOMA cells. RNA sequencing and miRNA sequencing were then performed to explore the mechanism of the proangiogenic effects of circRNA-007371. circRNA-007371 promotes liver fibrosis via miRNA sponges or ceRNA mechanisms. Stag1, the parent gene of circRNA-007371, may play a significant role in proangiogenic progression. In conclusion, circRNA-007371 enhances angiogenesis via a miRNA sponge mechanism in liver fibrosis. The antiangiogenic effect of circRNA-007371 inhibition may provide a new strategy for treating patients with liver cirrhosis.

Portal Vein Recanalization for Noncirrhotic Portal Vein Cavernous Transformation: Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt Creation versus Portal Vein Stent Placement.

PURPOSE: To compare the clinical outcomes of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) creation versus portal vein stent placement (PVS) in patients with noncirrhotic cavernous transformation of the portal vein (CTPV). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this retrospective study, clinical data from patients with noncirrhotic CTPV who underwent TIPS creation or PVS were compared. A total of 54 patients (mean age, 43.8 years ± 15.8; 31 men and 23 women) were included from January 2013 to January 2021; 29 patients underwent TIPS creation, and 25 patients underwent PVS. Stent occlusion, variceal rebleeding, survival, and postprocedural complications were compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS: The mean follow-up time was 40.2 months ± 26.2 in the TIPS group and 35.3 months ± 21.1 in the PVS group. The stent occlusion rate in the PVS group (16%, 4 of 25) was significantly lower than that in the TIPS group (41.4%, 12 of 29) during the follow-up (P = .042). The cumulative variceal rebleeding rates in the TIPS group were significantly higher than those in the PVS group (28% vs 4%; P = .027). The procedural success rate was 69% in the TIPS group and 86% in the PVS group (P = .156). There was a higher number of severe adverse events after TIPS than after PVS (0% vs 24%; P = .012). CONCLUSIONS: Portal vein recanalization with PVS may be a preferable alternative to TIPS creation in the treatment of noncirrhotic CTPV because of higher stent patency rates, lower risk of variceal rebleeding, and fewer adverse events.

Portal vein thrombosis associates with high platelet-fibrin clot strength and platelet activation in decompensated cirrhosis: A retrospective study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Alteration of platelet status associates with decompensation and death in cirrhosis, while its effect on portal vein thrombosis (PVT) remains unclear. We aimed to retrospectively investigate whether PVT associates with platelet-fibrin clot strength and platelet activation in decompensated cirrhosis. METHODS: Platelet-fibrin clot strength (G) was measured by thromboelastography (TEG). Platelet activation was reflected by plasma concentrations of soluble p-selectin (sPs) and a platelet aggregation test adjusted for platelet counts. RESULTS: Among 166 patients, 45 had PVT. The platelet count was significantly lower in PVT. While the G value was positively correlated with platelet count (ρ = 0.74, P < 0.01), increased G was associated with PVT after adjusting for platelet count in the logistic regression (P = 0.04). The normalized G value according to the linear relation with platelet count was calculated as follows: Gplatelet = [(G - 2622)/platelet count]. This coefficient had no correlation with platelet count and was an independent risk factor of PVT (OR = 1.03, CI95%: 1.01-1.05, P = 0.012). In two subanalyses, the collagen-induced platelet aggregation (n = 37, P = 0.029) and plasma concentration of sPs (n = 56, P = 0.001) adjusted for platelet count were significantly higher in PVT. CONCLUSION: This study showed a positive correlation of high platelet-fibrin clot strength detected via TEG and platelet activation with PVT in decompensated cirrhosis.

Mechanism of Yanghe Decoction against subcutaneous tumor in pulmonary metastasis from breast cancer through HIF-1α signaling pathway regulating glycolysis:based on network pharmacology and animal experiment / 中国中药杂志

This study aims to explore the mechanism of Yanghe Decoction(YHD) against subcutaneous tumor in pulmonary metastasis from breast cancer, which is expected to lay a basis for the treatment of breast carcinoma with YHD. The chemical components of medicinals in YHD, and the targets of the components were retrieved from Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform(TCMSP) and SwissTargetPrediction. The disease-related targets were searched from GeneCards and Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man(OMIM). Excel was employed to screen the common targets and plot the Venn diagram. The protein-protein interaction network was constructed. R language was used for Gene Ontology(GO) term enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) pathway enrichment. A total of 53 female SPF Bablc/6 mice were randomized into normal group(same volume of normal saline, ig), model group(same volume of normal saline, ig), and low-dose and high-dose YHD groups(YHD, ig, 30 days), with 8 mice in normal group and 15 mice in each of the other groups. Body weight and tumor size was measured every day. Curves for body weight variation and growth of tumor in situ were plotted. In the end, the subcutaneous tumor sample was collected and observed based on hematoxylin and eosin(HE) staining. The mRNA and protein levels of hypoxia inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α), pyruvate kinase M2(PKM2), lactate dehydrogenase A(LDHA), and glucose transporter type 1(GLUT1) were detected by PCR and Western blot. A total of 213 active components of YHD and 185 targets against the disease were screened out. The hypothesis that YHD may regulate glycolysis through HIF-1α signaling pathway to intervene in breast cancer was proposed. Animal experiment confirmed that the mRNA and protein levels of HIF-1α, PKM2, LDHA, and GLUT1 in the high-and low-dose YHD groups were lower than those in the model group. YHD has certain inhibitory effect on subcutaneous tumor in pulmonary metastasis from breast cancer in the early stage, which may intervene pulmonary metastasis from breast cancer by regulating glycolysis through HIF-1α signaling pathway.

Feasibility study of using bridging temporary permanent pacemaker in patients with high-degree atrioventricular block after TAVR / 中华心血管病杂志

Objective: To determine the feasibility of using temporary permanent pacemaker (TPPM) in patients with high-degree atrioventricular block (AVB) after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) as bridging strategy to reduce avoidable permanent pacemaker implantation. Methods: This is a prospective observational study. Consecutive patients undergoing TAVR at Beijing Anzhen Hospital and the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from August 2021 to February 2022 were screened. Patients with high-degree AVB and TPPM were included. Patients were followed up for 4 weeks with pacemaker interrogation at every week. The endpoint was the success rate of TPPM removal and free from permanent pacemaker at 1 month after TPPM. The criteria of removing TPPM was no indication of permanent pacing and no pacing signal in 12 lead electrocardiogram (EGG) and 24 hours dynamic EGG, meanwhile the last pacemaker interrogation indicated that ventricular pacing rate was 0. Routinely follow-up ECG was extended to 6 months after removal of TPPM. Results: Ten patients met the inclusion criteria for TPPM, aged (77.0±11.1) years, wirh 7 females. There were 7 patients with third-degree AVB, 1 patient with second-degree AVB, 2 patients with first degree AVB with PR interval>240 ms and LBBB with QRS duration>150 ms. TPPM were applied on the 10 patients for (35±7) days. Among 8 patients with high-degree AVB, 3 recovered to sinus rhythm, and 3 recovered to sinus rhythm with bundle branch block. The other 2 patients with persistent third-degree AVB received permanent pacemaker implantation. For the 2 patients with first-degree AVB and LBBB, PR interval shortened to within 200 ms. TPPM was successfully removed in 8 patients (8/10) at 1 month without permanent pacemaker implantation, of which 2 patients recovered within 24 hours after TAVR and 6 patients recovered 24 hours later after TAVR. No aggravation of conduction block or permanent pacemaker indication were observed in 8 patients during follow-up at 6 months. No procedure-related adverse events occurred in all patients. Conclusion: TPPM is reliable and safe to provide certain buffer time to distinguish whether a permanent pacemaker is necessary in patients with high-degree conduction block after TAVR.

Incidence and prognosis of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions related to infection of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain: a national multi-center survey of 35 566 population / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

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.

Case Report: Interventional therapy for portal venous stenosis caused by systemic vasculitis.

Systemic vasculitis are multisystem blood vessel disorders. However, Portal venous involvement is extremely rare, which represents a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge due to the heterogeneous nature, a lack of diagnostic criteria and limited effective therapy of vasculitis. We have reported a 48-year-old woman who was previously diagnosed with systemic vasculitis and was treated with prednisone, presented with gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding on admission. Further abdominal contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) with three-dimensional reconstruction suggested atrophic left hepatic lobe, enlarged spleen, and severe stenosis of main portal vein. Liver biopsy showed no evidence of fibrosis/cirrhosis. To prevent rebleeding, portal venous angioplasty by balloon dilation with collateral varices embolization was performed, and the GI hemorrhage was resolved completely. However, refractory ascites presented 8 months postoperatively. Abdominal CT angiography confirmed the recurrence of portal venous stenosis. Portal venous angioplasty by stent implantation was then performed to treat the portal hypertension (PHT)-related complications. After the intervention, the patient received anticoagulation therapy and continued immunosuppressive therapy. During the 5-year follow-up, the patient did not experience any onset of GI bleeding or ascites. Therefore, portal venous angioplasty with stent placement could be an effective treatment to prevent PHT-related complications when immunosuppression therapy failed.

Effects of Lighting Interventions to Improve Sleepiness in Night-Shift Workers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Shift work disrupts an otherwise normal circadian rhythm, which may result in sleepiness among night-shift workers. Artificial light has been shown to alter the light-dark cycle of shift workers and reset or phase shift the biological clock, improving nighttime alertness in workers. However, the effect of light therapy on improving sleepiness in nighttime workers has not been effectively confirmed in nursing clinical studies, and it is worth using relevant studies to provide the best evidence in any clinical setting. Systematic review and meta-analysis were used. The study was performed using PRISMA. Academic Search Complete, Embase, MEDLINE, the Cochrane Library, and CINAHL were searched, from the inception of each database to 27 December 2021. The Cochrane risk of bias tool was used to assess the methodological quality of each study. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were synthesized using a random-effects model to assess the efficacy of lighting intervention to improve sleepiness in night-shift workers. Sensitivity analysis followed by subgroup analysis was employed to examine heterogeneity. The meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.4.1 software. A total of 14 studies from 7 countries were included. The overall result shows that lighting interventions significantly improved sleepiness. Further, the blue-enriched white light with a color temperature greater than 5000 Kelvin was effective in improving sleepiness of night-shift workers. This study unveils the emergent knowledge that light interventions with blue-enriched white were effective in improving sleepiness for night-shift workers, including nurses. This finding can be applied to ensure patient safety, reduce accidents, and improve work efficiency and job satisfaction. Nurses constitute the largest health professional workforce. We suggest that hospitals can insert blue-enriched white light equipment for night-shift healthcare providers. Several evidence-based suggestions are made for further consideration.

Spontaneous ventilation anesthesia combined with uniportal and tubeless thoracoscopic sympathectomy in selected patients with primary palmar hyperhidrosis.

BACKGROUND: To assess the feasibility and safety of tubeless video-assisted thoracoscopic sympathectomy (VATS) with a single 5 mm port under nonintubated, intravenous anesthesia with spontaneous ventilation in selected patients with primary palmar hyperhidrosis (PPH). METHODS: Adults (aged between 18 and 60 years) with moderate or severe PPH symptoms were enrolled. Demographic information and clinical data were obtained from 172 consecutive patients undergoing thoracoscopic surgery for PPH from March 2014 to December 2020. The primary outcomes were the rate of complications, including death, and the intraoperative conversion rate to 3-port VATS. The secondary outcomes were the conversion rate to intubated anesthesia during the operation and the surgical duration and pain score of postoperative day 0. RESULTS: In total, 172 patients were included with 88 males and 84 females. The median age was was 25 years (IQR:21-30 years). No mortalities or major morbidities occurred in any patient. The overall median surgical duration was 53 min (IQR:37-72 min). The median length of postoperative hospital stay was one day (IQR:one-one day). The median pain score of POD0 was 2 (IQR:2-2). Intraoperative conversion to 3-port VATS followed by drainage tube insertion occurred in one (0.6%) patient due to extensive pleural adhesions. No patients required conversion to intubated anesthesia during surgery. No postoperative mechanical ventilation was noted in any patient. CONCLUSIONS: For selected patients with PPH, tubeless VATS with a single 5 mm port using spontaneous ventilation anesthesia can be considered a feasible and safe operation. The surgical wound is extremely small and the operation time is shorter than the conventional technique. Trial registration This study was in conformity with the Declaration of Helsinki, and was approved by the National Ethics Committee of the University of the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital (Approval number: [2020]70). We registered the study in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (Registration number: ChiCTR2100049063) in 2021.Informed consent was collected from all the participants of this study. URL for this clinical trial registration is: https://www.chictr.org.cn/index.aspx .

[Cumulative effects of K-function in the research of point patterns]. / ç‚¹æ ¼å±€ç ”ç©¶è¿‡ç¨‹ä¸­K-函数的累积效应.

The spatial pattern of plant population is one of primary issues in ecological research. Point pattern analy-sis is considered as an important method to study the spatial pattern of plant population. Ripley's K function has been commonly used for point pattern analysis. However, the cumulative effect of Ripley's K function may lead to specific spatial pattern charcteristics. To explore how the cumulative effect of Ripley's K function affects population pattern, the data of clumped distribution, random distribution and regular distribution of Stipa grandis were simulated by R software. All data generated by R software were analyzed by Ripley's K function and the non-cumulative pairwise correlation function g(r). The results showed that for clumped distribution (or regular distribution), the cumulative effect of Ripley's K function was manifested in two aspects. On the one hand, the scale of clumped distribution (or regular distribution) was increased due to Ripley's K function. On the other hand, Ripley's K function could detect the difference of the distribution of cluster (or negative interaction range) in the sampling space, exhibiting different pattern characteristics. For random distribution, Ripley's K function had no cumulative effect. In conclusion, the combination of Ripley's K function and pairwise correlation function by collecting replicate samples could better reveal the essential characteristics of the pattern in the study of population pattern.