Plant-based dietary patterns and risk of esophageal cancer:A prospective cohort study spanning 17 years

Objective: Plant-based diets have multiple health benefits for cancers;however, little is known about the association between plant-based dietary patterns and esophageal cancer(EC).This study presents an investigation of the prospective associations among three predefined indices of plant-based dietary patterns and the risk of EC.Methods: We performed endoscopic screening for 15,709 participants aged 40-69 years from two high-risk areas of China from January 2005 to December 2009 and followed the cohort until December 31, 2022. The overall plant-based diet index(PDI), healthful plant-based diet index(h PDI), and unhealthful plant-based diet index(u PDI), were calculated using survey responses to assess dietary patterns. We applied Cox proportional hazard regression to estimate the multivariable hazard ratios(HRs) and 95% confidence intervals(95% CIs) of EC across 3plant-based diet indices and further stratified the analysis by subgroups.Results: The final study sample included 15,184 participants in the cohort. During a follow-up of 219,365person-years, 176 patients with EC were identified. When the highest quartile was compared with the lowest quartile, the pooled multivariable-adjusted HR of EC was 0.50(95% CI, 0.32-0.77) for h PDI. In addition, the HR per 10-point increase in the h PDI score was 0.42(95% CI, 0.27-0.66) for ECs. Conversely, u PDI was positively associated with the risk of EC, and the HR was 1.80(95% CI, 1.16-2.82). The HR per 10-point increase in the u PDI score was 1.90(95% CI, 1.26-2.88) for ECs. The associations between these scores and the risk of EC were consistent in most subgroups. These results remained robust in sensitivity analyses.Conclusions: A healthy plant-based dietary pattern was associated with a reduced risk of EC. Emphasizing the healthiness and quality of plant-based diets may be important for preventing the development of EC.

Clinical characteristics and outcome of autoimmune pancreatitis based on serum immunoglobulin G4 level:A single-center,retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND Autoimmune pancreatitis(AIP)has been linked with elevated immunoglobulin(Ig)G4 levels.The characteristics and outcomes of AIP based on serum markers have not been fully evaluated.AIM To compare clinical features,treatment efficacy,and outcome of AIP based on serum IgG4 levels and analyze predictors of relapse.METHODS A total of 213 patients with AIP were consecutively reviewed in our hospital from 2006 to 2021.According to the serum IgG4 level,all patients were divided into two groups,the abnormal group(n=148)with a high level of IgG4[>2×upper limit of normal(ULN)]and the normal group(n=65).The t-test or Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare continuous variables.Categorical parameters were compared by theχ^(2) test or Fisher’s exact test.Kaplan-Meier curves Zhou GZ et al.Clinical characteristics and outcome of AIP WJG https://www.wjgnet.com 5126 September 21,2023 Volume 29 Issue 35 and log-rank tests were established to assess the cumulative relapse rates.Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to investigate potential risk factors of AIP relapse.RESULTS Compared with the normal group,the abnormal group had a higher average male age(60.3±10.4 vs 56.5±12.9 years,P=0.047);higher level of serum total protein(72.5±7.9 g/L vs 67.2±7.5 g/L,P<0.001),IgG4(1420.5±1110.9 mg/dL vs 252.7±106.6 mg/dL,P<0.001),and IgE(635.6±958.1 IU/mL vs 231.7±352.5 IU/mL,P=0.002);and a lower level of serum complement C3(100.6±36.2 mg/dL vs 119.0±45.7 mg/dL,P=0.050).In addition,a lower number of cases with abnormal pancreatic duct and pancreatic atrophy(23.6%vs 37.9%,P=0.045;1.6%vs 8.6%,P=0.020,respectively)and a higher rate of relapse(17.6%vs 6.2%,P=0.030)were seen in the abnormal group.Multivariate analyses revealed that serum IgG4[(>2×ULN),hazard ratio(HR):3.583;95%confidence interval(CI):1.218–10.545;P=0.020]and IgA(>1×ULN;HR:5.908;95%CI:1.199–29.120;P=0.029)and age>55 years(HR:2.383;95%CI:1.056–5.378;P=0.036)were independent risk factors of relapse.CONCLUSION AIP patients with high IgG4 levels have clinical features including a more active immune system and higher relapse rate.Several factors,such as IgG4 and IgA,are associated with relapse.

The relationship between physical activity in early pregnancy and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy: a cohort study in Chinese women

BACKGROUND:We aimed to examine prospective associations between diff erent intensities and diff erent types of physical activity(PA)in early pregnancy and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy(HDP)among Chinese women.METHODS:A total of 6,820 pregnant women from the Tongji-Shuangliu Birth Cohort were included in this study.The pregnancy physical activity questionnaire(PPAQ)was used to assess PA,including household/caregiving,occupational,sports/exercise,and transportation activities in the first trimester of pregnancy.The diagnosis of HDP was collected,including gestational hypertension(GH)and preeclampsia(PE).Data were analyzed by unconditional multivariate logistic regression,and the odds ratio(OR)and 95%confi dence interval(CI)were calculated.RESULTS:A total of 178(2.6%)of the 6,820 women were diagnosed with HDP,of which 126(1.8%)were GH and 52(0.8%)were PE.Overall,we found no association between PA in early pregnancy and PE.A trend toward lower risk was found only among women with GH and among those with higher levels of moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity(MVPA)(adjusted OR 0.54,95%CI 0.31–0.96).No association was observed between PA and HDP in early pregnancy,regardless of diff erent intensities or types of PA.CONCLUSION:MVPA in the first trimester is an influencing factor of HDP.Encouraging pregnant women to engage in MVPA in the fi rst trimester may help to prevent GH.

Edible mushrooms as a potent therapeutics of subclinical thyroid dysfunction among adults,especially in obese individuals:a prospective cohort study

Background:Mushrooms are a good source of many nutrients which are potentially beneficial for chronic diseases.We speculated that due to its abundant nutrients edible mushrooms might have a beneficial effect on the prevention of subclinical thyroid dysfunction(SCTD).Therefore,we designed a large-scale cohort study to examine whether mushrooms consumption is a protective factor for SCTD in adults.Methods:This prospective cohort study investigated 6631 participants(mean age:(45.0±10.2)years;55.1%men).Edible mushrooms consumption was measured at baseline using a validated food frequency questionnaire.SCTD was defined as abnormal serum thyroid-stimulating hormone levels and normal free thyroxine.Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to examine the association of edible mushrooms consumption with incident SCTD.Results:During follow-up period,a total of 262 new cases of SCTD were identified,the incidence rate of subclinical hypothyroidism was 8.9/1000 person-years and subclinical hyperthyroidism was 7.2/1000 person-years.After adjusting potential confounding factors,the multivariable hazard ratios(95%confidence intervals)for subclinical hypothyroidism were 1.00(reference)for almost never,0.53(0.29,0.97)for 1-3 times/week and 0.30(0.10,0.87)for≥4 times/week(P for trend=0.02).It also showed edible mushrooms consumption was inversely associated with subclinical hypothyroidism in obese individuals but not non-obese individuals,the final hazard ratios(95%confidence intervals)were 0.14(0.03,0.73)(P for trend<0.01).Conclusions:This population-based prospective cohort study has firstly demonstrated that higher edible mushrooms consumption was significantly associated with lower incidence of subclinical hypothyroidism among general adult population,especially in obese individuals.

LipoCol Forte capsules reduce the risk of liver cancer:A propensity score-matched,nationwide,population-based cohort study

BACKGROUND Liver cancer is among the top five most common cancers globally. Lipid-lowering drugs such as statins can lower the risk of liver cancer, but may also cause liver damage. LipoCol Forte capsules(LFC), a red yeast rice product, have demonstrated significant antihypercholesterolemic effects and a good safety profile in clinical studies.AIM To evaluate whether LFC lowers the risk of liver cancer in adults in this propensity score-matched, nationwide, population-based cohort study.METHODS We used data from Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Research Database, which includes electronic medical records for up to 99.99% of Taiwan’s population. LFC users and LFC non-users were matched 1:1 by propensity scores between January 2010 and December 2017. All had followup data for at least 1 year. Statistical analyses compared demographic distributions including sex, age, comorbidities, and prescribed medications. Cox regression analyses estimated adjusted hazard ratios(aHRs) after adjusting for potential confounders.RESULTS We enrolled 33231 LFC users and 33231 non-LFC users(controls). No significant differences between the study cohorts were identified regarding comorbidities and medications [standardized mean difference(SMD) < 0.05]. At follow-up, the overall incidence of liver cancer was significantly lower in the LFC cohort compared with controls [aHR 0.91;95% confidence interval(CI): 0.86-0.95;P < 0.001]. The risk of liver cancer was significantly reduced in both females(aHR 0.87;95%CI: 0.8-0.94;P < 0.001) and males(aHR 0.93;95%CI: 0.87-0.98;P < 0.01) in the LFC cohort compared with their counterparts in the non-LFC cohort. The antitumor protective effects applied to patients with comorbidities(including hypertension, ischemic stroke, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, hepatitis B infection and hepatitis C infection). Those using LFC for more than 84 drug days had a 0.64-fold lower risk of liver cancer compared with controls(P < 0.001). Compared with controls, the risk of developing liver cancer in the LFC cohort progressively decreased over time;the lowest incidence of liver cancer occurred in LFC users followed-up for more than 6 years(27.44 vs 31.49 per 1,000 person-years;aHR 0.75;95%CI: 0.68-0.82;P < 0.001).CONCLUSION This retrospective cohort study indicates that LFC has a significantly protective effect on lowering the risk of liver cancer, in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner.

Silicosis in Automobile Foundry Workers: A 29-Year Cohort Study

Objectives The purposes were to determine the relationship between silicosis among foundry workers and their cumulative exposure to silica dust, and to establish a regression model to predict the risk for developing silicosis by a given length of employment and air concentrations of silica at worksites. Methods A 29-year cohort study was conducted, including all those employed for more than one year during January 1, 1980 to December 31, 1996 and all members of the cohort were followed-up to December 3 1, 2008. In total, 2 009 workers of an automobile foundry in Shiyan, Hubei province were recruited in the study, 1 300 at eight worksites including sand preparation, cast shakeout, and finishing, melting, moulding, core-making, overhead crane operation and pouring as exposed group, and the other 709 auxiliary workers at the same factory, such as electricians, inspectors, fitters, and so on, as control group. Person-years of observation were calculated by persons observed and years followed-up for each of them. Person-year incidence of silicosis and its relative risk （RR） or odds ratio （OR） and 95% confidence intervals （CI） among the workers were estimated, adjusted for relevant factors with logistic regression model using SPSS version 15.0 software. Results Totally, 2 009 workers were followed-up for 37 151 person-years and 48 cases of silicosis were found, with an overall incidence of 1.34 per thousand, 2.02 per thousand in exposed group, and 0.15 per thousand in control one. Risk of silicosis was significantly higher in the exposed group than that in the control one （RR=13.13, 95% CI 3.18-54.13）, higher in men than that in women （RR=13.92, 95% CI 1.92-100.93）. Risks of silicosis varied by job, highest in those exposed to cast shakeout and finishing （RR=28.14, 95% CI 6.43-123.11）, followed by those exposed to pouring （RR-22.23, 95% CI 5.01-98.55） in the foundry. Average length of employment at onset of silicosis was 25.94 years, and silicosis incidence increased with length of employment. Average age at onset of silicosis was 47.83 years old. The risk of silicosis in workers with pulmonary tuberculosis was 2.57 folds as those without it （P〈0.01）. Ten deaths were recorded in those with silicosis, with a case-fatality rate of 20.83 percent three of them died of lung cancer, three of liver cancer, two of ischemic heart disease, and two of other diseases as their immediate causes of death. Incidence of silicosis in foundry workers positively correlated with their cumulative silica exposure （OR-3.00, 95% CI 2.34-3.83）. Risks of silicosis increased by 4.38 folds with an increase of 1 mg/m^3-year of cumulative silica exposure, and by 3.79 folds with smoking, respectively, adjusted for alcohol drinking and age. Based on a logistic regression model fitted, incidence of silicosis is expected to be 44.6 per thousand for those with daily exposure to silica of 4.18 mg/m^3 in average for 30 years, and if incidence of silicosis is expected to be less than 1 per thousand, daily exposure to silica should be controlled below 0.2 mg/m^3 for those with 20 years of employment, or below 0.1 mg/m^3 for those with 30 or 40 years of silica exposure. Conclusions At present, foundry workers in China still face high risk of developing silicosis. For lowering occurrence of silicosis in exposed workers, it seems necessary that current occupational exposure limits for silica at worksites in China should be reexamined and silica dust control measures be strengthend.

Nickel-exposed Workers in China: A Cohort Study

There are more than S0 000 workers in Jinchuan Group Co, Ltd （JNMC）. Since all staff in JNMC are eligible for a medical examination every two years, only 23 484 nickel-exposed subjects who participated in medical examination were included in this study. Their data, collected from June 22, 2011 to September 28, 2012, in a comprehensive epidemiological survey and during medical examinations, permitted an extensive evaluation of the relation between metal exposure, gene, epigenetics and risk of human diseases. Their lifestyle investigation showed that the overall prevalence of current smokers, alcohol drinkers, and tea drinkers was 39.1%, 19.7%, and 55.2%, respectively. The prevalence of hypertension, allergic rhinitis and cholecystitis, the top 3 prevalent diseases, was 11.7%, 11.0%, and 8.9%, respectively.

Metabolic syndrome vs. its components for prediction of cardiovascular mortality： A cohort study in Chinese elderly adults

Objective The predictive value of the metabolic syndrome （MetS） for mortality from all-cause and cardiovascular disease （CVD） in the Chinese population is unclear. The aim of this present study was to compare MetS with its individual components as predictors of mortality in Chinese elderly adults. Methods A cohort of 1,535 subjects （994 men and 541 women） aged 50 years or older was selected from employees of a machinery factory in 1994 and followed until 2009. Cox models were used to estimate the hazard ratios （HRs） predicted by MetS according to the harmonized defmition and by its individual components. Results The baseline prevalence of MetS was 28.0% in men and 48.4% in women. During a median follow-up of 15 years, 414 deaths occurred, of these, 153 participants died from CVD. Adjusted for age and gender, the HRs of mortality from all-cause and CVD in participants with MetS were 1.47 （95% confidence interval （CI）： 1.20-1.80） and 1.96 （95%CI： 1.42-2.72）, respectively, compared with those without MetS. Non-significant higher risk of CVD mortality was seen in those with one or two individual components （HR = 1.22, 95%CI： 0.59-2.50; fir = 1.82, 95%CI： 0.91-3.64, respectively）, while a substantially higher risk of CVD mortality only appeared in those with 3, 4, or 5 components （H_R = 2.81-3.72）, compared with those with no components. On evaluating the MetS components individually, we found that, independent of MetS, only hypertension and impaired glucose predicted higher mortality. Conclusions The number of positive MetS components seems no more informative than classifying （dichotomous） MetS for CVD risks assessment in this Chinese cohort.

Combined Effect of Smoking and Obesity on Coronary Heart Disease Mortality in Male Veterans:A 30-year Cohort Study

Objective Evidence is lacking regarding the combined effects of smoking and obesity on mortality from coronary heart disease in male veterans.This study aimed to explore the combined effect of smoking and obesity on coronary heart disease mortality in male veterans in China.Methods A cohort of 1,268 male veterans from 22 veteran centers in Xi’an(Shaanxi Province,China)were followed up once every 2 years from February 1,1987 to October 30,2016.The endpoint was death from any cause.The hazard ratio(HR)of each risk factor and the 95%confidence interval(CI)were calculated using a multivariate Cox proportional hazard model.Results The total follow-up was 24394.21 person-years;each subject was followed up for a mean duration of 19.24 years.By the end of the study,of the 1,268 veterans,889 had died,363 were alive,and 16 were lost to follow-up.Cox regression analysis results revealed that current smoking(HR:1.552,95%CI:1.074–2.243),obesity(HR:1.625,95%CI:1.024–2.581),and the combined effect of the two factors(HR:2.828,95%CI:1.520–5.262)were associated with coronary heart disease mortality.Conclusion Our results suggest that obese veterans who smoke might be an important target population for coronary heart disease mortality control.

Alcohol Drinking, Dyslipidemia, and Diabetes： A Population-based Prospective Cohort Study among Inner Mongolians in China

Objective No previous studies have evaluated the association between dyslipidemia, alcohol drinking, and diabetes in an Inner Mongolian population. We aimed to evaluate the co-effects of drinking and dyslipidemia on diabetes incidence in this population. Methods The present study was based on 1880 participants from a population-based prospective cohort study among Inner Mongolians living in China. Participants were classified into four subgroups according to their drinking status and dyslipidemia. Multivariate logistic regression analysis and receiver operating characteristic （ROC） curves were used to evaluate the association between alcohol drinking, dyslipidemia, and diabetes. Results During the follow-up period, 203 participants were found to have developed diabetes. The multiva riable-adjusted odds ratios （95% confidence interval） for the incidence of non-dyslipidemia/drinkers, dyslipidemia/non-drinkers, and dyslipidemia/drinkers in diabetic patients were 1.40 （0.82-2.37）, 1.73 （1.17-2.55）, and 2.31 （1.38-3.87）, respectively, when compared with non-dyslipidemia/non-drinkers. The area under the ROC curve for a model containing dyslipidemia and drinking status along with conventional factors （AUC=0.746） was significantly （P=O.003） larger than the one containing only conventional factors （AUC=0.711）. Conclusion The present study showed that dyslipidemia was an independent risk factor for diabetes, and that drinkers with dyslipidemia had the highest risk of diabetes in the Mongolian population. These findings suggest that dyslipidemia and drinkin8 status may be valuable in predicting diabetes incidence.

Development and validation of a prognostic model for patients with hepatorenal syndrome:A retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND Hepatorenal syndrome(HRS)is a severe complication of cirrhosis with high mortality,which necessitates accurate clinical decision.However,studies on prognostic factors and scoring systems to predict overall survival of HRS are not enough.Meanwhile,a multicenter cohort study with a long span of time could be more convincing.AIM To develop a novel and effective prognostic model for patients with HRS and clarify new prognostic factors.METHODS We retrospectively enrolled 1667 patients from four hospitals,and 371 eligible patients were finally analyzed to develop and validate a novel prognostic model for patients with HRS.Characteristics were compared between survivors and non-survivors,and potential prognostic factors were selected according to the impact on 28-d mortality.Accuracy in predicting 28-d mortality was compared between the novel and other scoring systems,including Model for End-Stage Liver Disease(MELD),Chronic Liver Failure-Sequential Organ Failure Assessment(CLIF-SOFA),and Chinese Group on the Study of Severe Hepatitis BAcute-on-Chronic Liver Failure(COSSH-ACLF).RESULTS Five prognostic factors,comprised of gender,international normalized ratio,mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration,neutrophil percentage,and stage,were integrated into a new score,GIMNS;stage is a binary variable defined by the number of failed organs.GIMNS was positively correlated with MELD,CLIFSOFA,and COSSH-ACLF.Additionally,it had better accuracy[area under the receiver operating characteristic curve(AUROC):0.830]than MELD(AUROC:0.759),CLIF-SOFA(AUROC:0.767),and COSSH-ACLF(AUROC:0.759)in the derivation cohort(P<0.05).It performed better than MELD and CLIF-SOFA in the validation cohort(P<0.050)and had a higher AUROC than COSSH-ACLF(P=0.122).CONCLUSION We have developed a new scoring system,GIMNS,to predict 28-d mortality of HRS patients.Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration and stage were first proposed and found to be related to the mortality of HRS.Additionally,the GIMNS score showed better accuracy than MELD and CLIF-SOFA,and the AUROC was higher than that of COSSH-ACLF.

Could saline irrigation clear all residual common bile duct stones after lithotripsy?A self-controlled prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND A previous study showed that irrigation with 100 mL saline reduced residual common bile duct(CBD)stones,which potentially cause recurrent stones after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography.AIM To determine whether saline irrigation can improve CBD clearance after lithotripsy.METHODS This prospective self-controlled study enrolled patients receiving mechanical lithotripsy for large(>1.2 cm)CBD stones.After occlusion cholangiography confirmed CBD stone clearance,peroral cholangioscopy(POC)was performed to determine clearance scores based on the number of residual stones.The amounts of residual stones spotted via POC were graded on a 5-point scale(score 1,worst;score 5,best).Scores were documented after only stone removal(control)and after irrigation with 50 mL and 100 mL saline,respectively.The stone composition was analyzed using infrared spectroscopy.RESULTS Between October 2018 and January 2020,47 patients had CBD clearance scores of 2.4±1.1 without saline irrigation,3.5±0.7 with 50 mL irrigation,and 4.6±0.6 with 100 mL irrigation(P<0.001).Multivariate analysis showed that CBD diameter>15 mm[odds ratio(OR)=0.08,95%confidence interval(CI):0.01-0.49;P=0.007]and periampullary diverticula(PAD)(OR=6.51,95%CI:1.08-39.21;P=0.041)were independent risk factors for residual stones.Bilirubin pigment stones constituted the main residual stones found in patients with PAD(P=0.004).CONCLUSION Irrigation with 100 mL of saline may not clear all residual CBD stones after lithotripsy,especially in patients with PAD and/or a dilated(>15 mm)CBD.Pigment residual stones are soft and commonly found in patients with PAD.Additional saline irrigation may be required to remove retained stones.

Adverse associations of sedentary behavior with cancer incidence and all-cause mortality:A prospective cohort study

Background:Inconsistent results have been reported in developed countries for relationships between sedentary behavior and cancer incidence and mortality,and evidence from the Chinese population is scarce.This study aimed to investigate such relationships in large Chinese population-based prospective cohorts and to explore the joint effect and interaction of sedentary behavior and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity(MVPA)on these relationships.Methods:We included 95,319 Chinese adults without cancer from 3 large cohorts and assessed their sedentary behavior and physical activity with a unified questionnaire.Cancer incidence and mortality were confirmed by interviewing participants or their proxies and checking hospital records and death certificates.Hazard ratios(HRs)and 95%confidence intervals(95%CIs)for cancer and mortality were estimated using Cox proportional hazards regression models.Results:During 559,002 person-years of follow-up,2388 cancer events,1571 cancer deaths,and 4562 all-cause deaths were recorded.Sedentary behavior was associated with increased risk of developing cancer and deaths in a doseresponse manner.The multivariable-adjusted HRs(95%CIs)were the following:HR=1.16,95%CI:1.01-1.33;HR=1.24,95%CI:1.04-1.48;and HR=1.15,95%CI:1.04-1.28 for cancer incidence,cancer mortality,and all-cause mortality,respectively,for those having≥10 h/day of sedentary time compared with those having<6 h/day of sedentary time.Sedentary populations(≥10 h/day)developed cancer or died 4.09 years and 2.79 years earlier,respectively,at the index age of 50 years.Failure to achieve the recommended level of MVPA may further aggravate the adverse associations,with the highest cancer and mortality risks being observed among participants with both≥10 h/day of sedentary time and<150 min/week of MVPA.Limitations of this study include the fact that physical activity information was obtained via questionnaire instead of objective measurement and that there were insufficient incident cases for the analysis of associations between sedentary behavior and site-specific cancers.Conclusion:Sedentary behavior was associated with an increased risk of cancer and all-cause mortality among Chinese adults,especially for those with≥10 h/day of sedentary time.It is necessary to reduce sedentary time,in addition to increasing MVPA levels,for the prevention of cancer and premature death.

Recovery from prolonged disorders of consciousness:A dual-center prospective cohort study in China

BACKGROUND Recent innovations in intensive care have improved the prognosis of patients with severe brain injuries and brought more patients with disorders of consciousness(DoC).Data are lacking regarding the long-term outcomes of those patients in China.It is necessary to study the long-term outcomes of patients with prolonged DoC in light of many factors likely to influence crucial decisions about their care and their life.AIM To present the preliminary results of a DoC cohort.METHODS This was a two-center prospective cohort study of inpatients with vegetative state(VS)/unresponsive wakefulness syndrome(UWS).The study outcomes were the recovery from VS/UWS to minimally conscious state(MCS)and the long-term status of patients with prolonged DoC considered in VS/UWS or MCS for up to 6 years.The patients were evaluated using the Glasgow coma scale,coma recovery scale-revised,and Glasgow outcome scale.The endpoint of follow-up was recovery of full consciousness or death.The changes in the primary clinical outcome improvement in clinical diagnosis were evaluated at 12 mo compared with baseline.RESULTS The study population included 93 patients(62 VS/UWS and 31 MCS).The postinjury interval range was 28-634 d.Median follow-up was 20 mo(interquartile range,12-37 mo).At the endpoint,33 transitioned to an emergence from MCS or full consciousness,eight had a locked-in syndrome,and there were 35 patients remaining in a VS/UWS and 11 in an MCS.Seven(including one locked-in syndrome)patients(7.5%)died within 12 mo of injury.Compared with the unresponsive group(n=52)at 12 mo,the responsive group(n=41)had a higher proportion of males(87.8%vs 63.5%,P=0.008),shorter time from injury(median,40.0 d vs 65.5 d,P=0.006),higher frequency of vascular etiology(68.3%vs 38.5%,P=0.007),higher Glasgow coma scale score at admission(median,9 vs 6,P<0.001),higher coma recovery scale-revised score at admission(median,9 vs 2.5,P<0.001),at 1 mo(median,14 vs 5,P<0.001),and at 3 mo(median,20 vs 6,P<0.001),lower frequency of VS/UWS(36.6%vs 90.0%,P<0.001),and more favorable Glasgow outcome scale outcome(P<0.001).CONCLUSION Patients with severe DoC,despite having strong predictors of poor prognosis,might recover consciousness after a prolonged time of rehabilitation.An accurate initial diagnosis of patients with DoC is critical for predicting outcome and a long-term regular follow-up is also important.

Heavy Metal Assessment among Chinese Nonferrous Metal-exposed Workers from the Jinchang Cohort Study

Environmental exposure to heavy metals has been linked to a wide range of human health hazards. We detected the levels of 15 metals in urine samples from 500 representative sub-samples in an ongoing occupational cohort study （Jinchang Cohort） to directly evaluate metal exposure levels. Fifteen metals, namely As, Ba, Be, Cd, Cs, Cr, Co, Cu, Pb, Mn, Ni, Se, TI, U, and Zn, were detected by inductively coupled plasma quadruple mass spectrometry. The results showed that median creatinine adjustment and geometric mean urinary metal levels were higher in the heavy metal-exposed group, except Se and Zn, than other reported general or occupational populations. Further studies should address the effects of heavy metals on human health.

Effect of tumor necrosis factor inhibitors on rheumatoid arthritis-induced peripheral neuropathy A cohort study

In this historical cohort study, 236 patients with primary rheumatoid arthritis were treated with the tumor necrosis factor inhibitors, etanercept or infliximab （n = 80）, or by conventional methods （n = 156）. Results revealed that 11 patients developed varying types of peripheral neuropathy at 1-2 years post-treatment （mean 16 months）. The incidence of peripheral neuropathy in the tumor necrosis factor inhibitors treatment group was 8.8% （7/80）, which was significantly higher than the conventional treatment group （2.6%; 4/156）. The relative risk of developing peripheral neuropathy in the tumor necrosis factor inhibitors treatment group was 3.41 （95% confidence interval： 1.03 11.31）. Comparison of the tumor necrosis factor inhibitors revealed that etanercept and infliximab had no significant difference in terms of inducing peripheral neuropathy. Experimental findings indicate that tumor necrosis factor inhibitors may increase the risk of peripheral neuropathy.

The Effects of Secondary Pneumonia on the Curative Efficacy of Multidrug-resistant Tuberculosis: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Tuberculosis(TB)is a formidable global health problem and ranks above HIV as the leading cause of death world wide.In2017,a total number of 10.0 million cases of TB were reported, which resulted in1.3 million TB deaths. Resistance to standard anti-TB

Combined Influence of Insulin Resistance and Inflammatory Biomarkers on Type 2 Diabetes:A Population-based Prospective Cohort Study of Inner Mongolians in China

This prospective study was designed to examine the combined influence of insulin resistance（IR）and inflammatory biomarker levels on type 2 diabetes mellitus（T2DM）among 1,903Inner Mongolians.

Risk Factors for Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes among Zhuang Ethnic Pregnant Women:A Cohort Study in Guangxi,China

Risk factors for adverse pregnancy outcomes among Zhuang ethnic pregnant women are unclear.This study analyzed the incidence and risk factors related to preterm birth(PB),low birth weight(LBW)and macrosomia in Zhuang population.We conducted a prospective cohort study of 9965 Zhuang pregnancy women in Guangxi,China.Information on mothers and newborns was obtained by using questionnaires and referring to medical records.Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate the association between related factors and adverse pregnancy outcomes.Our results showed that the incidence of PB,LBW and macrosomia in Zhuang people was 5.55%,5.64%and 2.19%,respectively.Maternal age≥36 years(OR=2.22,95%CI:1.51-3.27)was related to a higher incidence of PB.Those with pre-pregnancy body mass index(BMI)<18.5 kg/㎡(OR-1.91,95%CI:1.45--2.51),and had a female fetus(OR=1.74,95%CI:1.36-2.23)were more likely to have LBW infants.Maternal age between 31 and 35 years(OR=1.76,95%CI:1.03-2.99)and pre-pregnancy overweight or obesity(OR=1.79,95% CI:1.15-2.80)were associated with a higher risk of macrosomia.The protective factors of macrosomia were maternal pre-pregnancy BMI<18.5 kg/㎡(OR=0.30,95% CI:0.15-0.60)and female fetus(OR=0.41,95% CI:0.28-0.59).Our study provided a reference for maternal and childcare administration among Zhuang population.

Effects of Cesarean Section on Infant Health in China:Matched Prospective Cohort Study

Objective To compare the medical outcomes of infants delivered by cesarean section with those of infants delivered vaginally. Methods A total of 301 healthy women with cesarean section and a matched control group of 301 women delivered vaginally were identified at three district-level hospitals in Shanghai from May 2001 to February 2003. Two groups were matched according to their medical indications for cesarean section. Their infants were assessed at delivery, 1 month, 6 month and 1 year after birth. Results The incidence of neonatal complications and infant morbidities at all measurement occasions did not differ significantly between groups. Rehospitalization was found to be more likely among infants delivered by cesarean section in the first month after birth. However, there was no difference between two groups in the incidence of rehospitalization in the first year after birth. Cesarean section was also associated with a higher risk of infant diarrhea （adjusted relative risk=1.25, 95% CI： 1.01, 1.56）. Conclusion Infants did not have health benefits from cesarean section if the pregnancy was at low risk.