Ambient Temperature and Risk of Outpatient Chronic Pharyngitis Visits:A Time-series Analysis in Xinxiang,China

Chronic pharyngitis(CP)is a prevalent medical condition in the field of otorhinolaryngology characterized by persistent inflammation of the pharyngeal mucosa,submucosa,and lymphoid tissue.The etiology of CP is multifactorial,with noninfectious factors such as personal habits(e.g.,smoking and drinking).

Helicobacter pylori infection in the pharynx of patients with chronic pharyngitis detected with TDI-FP and modified Giemsa stain

AIM： To detect whether there is Helicobacter pylori （Hpylori） colonization in the pharynx mucous membrane of healthy people and whether chronic pharyngitis is related to Hpylori infection. METHODS： Fifty cases of chronic pharyngitis refractory over three months were prospectively studied from March 2004 to August 2004 in the otolaryngology outpatient department of the Second Hospital of Xi＇an Jiaotong University. Template-directed dye-terminator incorporated with fluorescence polarization detection （TDI-FP） and modified Giemsa stain were used to examine pharynx mucous membrane tissue for H pylori colonization in the patients with chronic pharyngitis and the healthy people as a control group. RESULTS： In the control group, no people were detected to have Hpylori in the pharynx. In contrast, in 50 cases with chronic pharyngitis, 19 （38.0%） cases were H pylori positive with a TDI-FP assay and 4 （8%） cases were TDI-FP positive with Giemsa staining in the pharynx. Sixteen of the 50 pharyngitis cases had stomach ailment history, 11 cases （68.8%） of these 16 patients were determined to be H pylori positive in the pharynx with the TDI-FP assay. 2,2 test showed that this infection rate was remarkably higher （P= 0.0007） than that in the cases without stomach ailment history. Giemsa staining showed that 3 cases （18.8%） of the patients with stomach ailment history were infected with H pylori in the pharynx, which was remarkably higher （P = 0.042） than that in the patients without stomach ailment history （1 case, which was 2.9%）. CONCLUSION： H pylori may not be detected in the pharynx of healthy people. Chronic pharyngitis may be related to H pylori infection. The infection rate with Hpylori in the pharynx is higher in patients with stomach ailment histories than in patients without stomach ailment histories, suggesting that chronic pharyngitis may be related to stomach ailment history.

Efficacy and safety of atomized inhalation for Shuanghuanglian on chronic pharyngitis:a Meta-analysis of the randomized controlled trials

Objective: As a Chinese drugs preparation to clear heat and remove toxicity, Shuanghuanglian (SHL) has been widely used, but the clinical efficacy and safety of SHL on chronic pharyngitis remain unclear, especially the application of atomized inhalation of SHL need to be verified. The aim of this study was to evaluate its clinical efficacy and safety for chronic pharyngitis. Methods: From the Cochrane Library, Pubmed, EMbase, Wanfang Datebase, CNKI (China National Knowledge Infrastructure), VIP (Chinese Scientifc Journals Database), CBM (Chinese Biomedicine Database), We got the qualified randomized controlled trials(RCTs) and adopted RevMan5.3 software and the risk of bias tool according to the Cochrane to perform a metaanalysis. Results: Ten RCTs, a total of 950 cases (involving 472 cases in SHL group and 478 in control group) were included. The results showed that the clinical efficacy in SHL group was superior to control group [Chi2=5.61, 95%CI (4.29, 11.43), P<0.05], and four literatures reported no obvious adverse reactions in SHL group. Conclusion: Application of atomized inhalation of SHL may have a potential advantage in treating chronic pharyngitis. However, due to the limitation of the quality and sample size of those studies, the accuracy of the result should be treated with caution, higher standardized researches are required to justify the conclusion.

Predictive value of diaphragm ultrasound for mechanical ventilation outcome in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

BACKGROUND Acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(AECOPD)is often combined with respiratory failure,which increases the patient's morbidity and mortality.Diaphragm ultrasound(DUS)has developed rapidly in the field of critical care in recent years.Studies with DUS monitoring diaphragm-related rapid shallow breathing index have demonstrated important results in guiding intensive care unit patients out of the ventilator.Early prediction of the indications for withdrawal of non-invasive ventilator and early evaluation of patients to avoid or reduce disease progression are very important.AIM To explore the predictive value of DUS indexes for non-invasive ventilation outcome in patients with AECOPD.METHODS Ninety-four patients with AECOPD who received mechanical ventilation in our hospital from January 2022 to December 2023 were retrospectively analyzed,and they were divided into a successful ventilation group(68 cases)and a failed ventilation group(26 cases)according to the outcome of ventilation.The clinical data of patients with successful and failed noninvasive ventilation were compared,and the independent predictors of noninvasive ventilation outcomes in AECOPD patients were identified by multivariate logistic regression analysis.RESULTS There were no significant differences in gender,age,body mass index,complications,systolic pressure,heart rate,mean arterial pressure,respiratory rate,oxygen saturation,partial pressure of oxygen,oxygenation index,or time of inspiration between patients with successful and failed mechanical ventilation(P>0.05).The patients with successful noninvasive ventilation had shorter hospital stays and lower partial pressure of carbon dioxide(PaCO_(2))than those with failed treatment,while potential of hydrogen(pH),diaphragm thickening fraction(DTF),diaphragm activity,and diaphragm movement time were significantly higher than those with failed treatment(P<0.05).pH[odds ratio(OR)=0.005,P<0.05],PaCO_(2)(OR=0.430,P<0.05),and DTF(OR=0.570,P<0.05)were identified to be independent factors influencing the outcome of mechanical ventilation in AECOPD patients.CONCLUSION The DUS index DTF can better predict the outcome of non-invasive ventilation in AECOPD patients.

Local Application of Combined Drugs of Natural Essential Oils for the Prevention of Acute Pharyngitis

Objective: Viral pharyngitis, commonly known as a sore throat, is a widespread condition affecting people of all ages globally. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a medical device containing the combined drugs of natural essential oils (CDNEO) formulation in managing throat pain in patients with acute viral pharyngitis. With the growing resistance to traditional antibacterial treatments, essential oils have attracted interest for their potential analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties. Results: The study involved 81 patients randomly divided into two groups: those taking a medical device containing combined drugs of natural essential oils (CDNEO) and those taking a placebo. A questionnaire was used to assess throat pain among the participants, with 45 receiving the CDNEO and 36 the placebo. The CDNEO group experienced a significant reduction in throat pain, with the average VAS score decreasing from 5.36 to 1.09, compared to the placebo group, which saw a decrease from 4.97 to 2.19. This difference, with p Conclusion: By using a double-blind research method, it was possible to evaluate the effectiveness of the oils more objectively, since there was also a control placebo group. The study shows that CDNEO significantly reduces throat pain and decreases the need for additional pain relief medication in patients with acute viral pharyngitis. The findings suggest that natural essential oils could serve as an alternative treatment for pharyngitis, particularly in efforts to minimize NSAID use and combat antibiotic resistance.

Seasonal variation in dietary intake and its association with obesity-related chronic diseases in northeast China

Objective:The objective of this study was to assess seasonal changes in dietary and nutrient intake of residents(18-75 years old)in Northeast China during summer and winter,and to explore the associations between fatty acids,phytosterols,and the prevalence of obesity-related chronic diseases,particularly obesity,hyperlipidemia,and NAFLD.Methods:A total of 4773 participants from the Internet-based Dietary Questionnaire for Chinese(IDQC)were included in this study.Dietary intake information was collected using a validated food frequency questionnaire.Student's t-test or Mann-Whitney U-test was used to analyze continuous variables,while Chi-squared tests were used to compare categorical variables.Multivariable logistic regression was employed to assess the relationship between fatty acids,phytosterols,and obesity-related chronic diseases.Results:The mean consumption of legumes,vegetables,fruits,nuts,dairy products,fish,condiments,energy,protein,fat,and carbohydrate differed significantly between summer and winter(P<0.05).Significant inverse associations were found between both fatty acids and phytosterols and obesity-related chronic diseases in multivariate adjusted models.Summer polyunsaturated fatty acid(PUFA)intake was negatively associated with the prevalence of hyperlipidemia(Q4,OR,0.515;95%CI,0.283-0.921;P<0.05)and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)(Q4,OR,0.331;95%CI,0.176-0.599;P<0.001).Phytosterols intake was negatively associated with the prevalence of obesity(Q4,OR,0.603;95%CI,0.414-0.873;P<0.05),hyperlipidemia(Q4,OR,0.420;95%CI,0.233-0.731;P<0.001),and NAFLD(Q4,OR,0.206;95%CI,0.111-0.360;P<0.001)during the summer.Conclusions:Higher PUFA intake was associated with a lower prevalence of obesity,hyperlipidemia,and NAFLD.Phytosterol intake was inversely associated with the prevalence of hyperlipidemia and NAFLD.These findings suggest that the associations between PUFA and phytosterols and the prevalence of obesity-related chronic diseases may be influenced by seasonal differences in food intake.

Palliative care for end-stage liver disease and acute on chronic liver failure:A systematic review

BACKGROUND End stage liver disease(ESLD)represents a growing health concern characterized by elevated morbidity and mortality,particularly among individual ineligible for liver transplantation.The demand for palliative care(PC)is pronounced in patients grappling with ESLD and acute on chronic liver failure(ACLF).Unfortunately,the historical underutilization of PC in ESLD patients,despite their substantial needs and those of their family caregivers,underscores the imperative of seamlessly integrating PC principles into routine healthcare practices across the entire disease spectrum.AIM To comprehensively investigate the evidence surrounding the benefits of incorporating PC into the comprehensive care plan for individuals confronting ESLD and/or ACLF.METHODS A systematic search in the Medline(PubMed)database was performed using a predetermined search command,encompassing studies published in English without any restrictions on the publication date.Subsequently,the retrieved studies were manually examined.Simple descriptive analyses were employed to summarize the results.RESULTS The search strategies yielded 721 references.Following the final analysis,32 fulllength references met the inclusion criteria and were consequently incorporated into the study.Meticulous data extraction from these 32 studies was undertaken,leading to the execution of a comprehensive narrative systematic review.The review found that PC provides significant benefits,reducing symptom burden,depressive symptoms,readmission rates,and hospital stays.Yet,barriers like the appeal of transplants and misconceptions about PC hinder optimal utilization.Integrating PC early,upon the diagnosis of ESLD and ACLF,regardless of transplant eligibility and availability,improves the quality of life for these patients.CONCLUSION Despite the substantial suffering and poor prognosis associated with ESLD and ACLF,where liver transplantation stands as the only curative treatment,albeit largely inaccessible,PC services have been overtly provided too late in the course of the illness.A comprehensive understanding of PC's pivotal role in treating ESLD and ACLF is crucial for overcoming these barriers,involving healthcare providers,patients,and caregivers.

History of chronic gastritis:How our perceptions have changed

Currently,the diagnostic strategy for chronic gastritis(CG)is aimed not just at fixing the presence of gastric mucosal inflammation,but also at gastric cancer(GC)risk stratification in a particular patient.Modern classification approach with the definition of the stage of gastritis determines the need,activities and frequency of dynamic monitoring of a patient.However,this attitude to the patient suffering from CG was far from always.The present publication is a literature review describing the key milestones in the history of CG research,from the description of the first observations of inflammation of the gastric mucosa,assessment of gastritis as a predominantly functional disease,to the advent of endoscopy of the upper digestive tract and diagnostic gastric biopsy,assessment of the role of Helicobacter pylori infection in progression of inflammatory changes to atrophy,intestinal metaplasia,dysplasia and GC.

Meta-analysis of the association between chronic periodontitis and chronic kidney disease

BACKGROUND Many scholars have performed several clinical studies have investigated the association between chronic periodontitis(CP)and chronic kidney disease(CKD).However,there are still differences between these research results,and there is no unified conclusion.Therefore,a systematic review is required to understand this issue fully.AIM To explore the correlation between CP and CKD.METHODS Literature on the correlation between CP and CKD,as well as the clinical attachment level(CAL)and pocket probing depth(PPD)of CKD and non-CKD,were retrieved from PubMed,Embase,the Cochrane Library,and Web of Science repositories until January 2024.After the effective data were extracted,data processing and statistics were performed using Stata 12.0.RESULTS Of the 22 studies,13 were related to CP and CKD,and 9 reported CAL and PPD in patients with CKD and healthy controls.Meta-analysis of the correlation between CP and CKD revealed that CKD probability in people with CP was 1.54 times that of healthy individuals[relative risk=1.54,95%confidence interval(CI):1.40-1.70],and CP incidence in patients with CKD was 1.98 times that of healthy individuals[overall risk(OR)=1.98,95%CI:1.53-2.57].Meta-analysis of CAL and PPD evaluations between CKD patients and healthy individuals showed that CAL and PPD levels were higher in CKD patients[standard mean difference(SMD)of CAL=0.65,95%CI:0.29-1.01;SMD of PPD=0.33,95%CI:0.02-0.63].CONCLUSION A bidirectional association exists between CP and CKD.CKD risk is increased in CP patients and vice versa.Periodontal tissue or tooth loss risks increase over time in CKD patients.

Association of physical activity with risk of chronic kidney disease in China:A population-based cohort study

Background:Information on the association between physical activity(PA)and the risk of chronic kidney disease(CKD)is limited.We aimed to explore the associations of total,domain-specific,and intensity-specific PA with CKD and its subtypes in China.Methods:The study included 475,376 adults from the China Kadoorie Biobank aged 30-79 years during 2004-2008 at baseline.An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect the information about PA,which was quantified as metabolic equivalent of task hours per day(MET-h/day)and categorized into 4 groups based on quartiles.Cox regression was used to analyze the association between PA and CKD risk.Results:During a median follow-up of 12.1 years,5415 incident CKD cases were documented,including 1159 incident diabetic kidney disease(DKD)cases and 362 incident hypertensive nephropathy(HTN)cases.Total PA was inversely associated with CKD risk,with an adjusted hazard ratio(HR,95%confidence interval(95%CI))of 0.83(0.75-0.92)for incident CKD in the highest quartile of total PA as compared with participants in the lowest quartile.Similar results were observed for risk of DKD and HTN,and the corresponding HRs(95%CIs)were 0.75(0.58-0.97)for DKD risk and 0.56(0.37-0.85)for HTN risk.Increased nonoccupational PA,low-intensity PA,and moderate-to-vigorous-intensity PA were significantly associated with a decreased risk of CKD,with HRs(95%CIs)of 0.80(0.73-0.88),0.85(0.77-0.94),and 0.85(0.76-0.95)in the highest quartile,respectively.Conclusion:PA,including nonoccupational PA,low-intensity PA,and moderate-to-vigorous-intensity PA,was inversely associated with the risk of CKD,including DKD,HTN,and other CKD,and such associations were dose dependent.

Clinical manifestation,lifestyle,and treatment patterns of chronic erosive gastritis:A multicenter real-world study in China

BACKGROUND Although chronic erosive gastritis(CEG)is common,its clinical characteristics have not been fully elucidated.The lack of consensus regarding its treatment has resulted in varied treatment regimens.AIM To explore the clinical characteristics,treatment patterns,and short-term outcomes in CEG patients in China.METHODS We recruited patients with chronic non-atrophic or mild-to-moderate atrophic gastritis with erosion based on endoscopy and pathology.Patients and treating physicians completed a questionnaire regarding history,endoscopic findings,and treatment plans as well as a follow-up questionnaire to investigate changes in symptoms after 4 wk of treatment.RESULTS Three thousand five hundred sixty-three patients from 42 centers across 24 cities in China were included.Epigastric pain(68.0%),abdominal distension(62.6%),and postprandial fullness(47.5%)were the most common presenting symptoms.Gastritis was classified as chronic non-atrophic in 69.9%of patients.Among those with erosive lesions,72.1%of patients had lesions in the antrum,51.0%had multiple lesions,and 67.3%had superficial flat lesions.In patients with epigastric pain,the combination of a mucosal protective agent(MPA)and proton pump inhibitor was more effective.For those with postprandial fullness,acid regurgitation,early satiety,or nausea,a MPA appeared more promising.CONCLUSION CEG is a multifactorial disease which is common in Asian patients and has non-specific symptoms.Gastroscopy may play a major role in its detection and diagnosis.Treatment should be individualized based on symptom profile.

Urinary metabolic profiles during Helicobacter pylori eradication in chronic gastritis

BACKGROUND Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori)infection is a major risk factor for chronic gastritis,affecting approximately half of the global population.H.pylori eradication is a popular treatment method for H.pylori-positive chronic gastritis,but its mecha-nism remains unclear.Urinary metabolomics has been used to elucidate the mechanisms of gastric disease treatment.However,no clinical study has been conducted on urinary metabolomics of chronic gastritis.AIM To elucidate the urinary metabolic profiles during H.pylori eradication in patients with chronic gastritis.METHODS We applied LC–MS-based metabolomics and network pharmacology to in-vestigate the relationships between urinary metabolites and H.pylori-positive chronic gastritis via a clinical follow-up study.RESULTS Our study revealed the different urinary metabolic profiles of H.pylori-positive chronic gastritis before and after H.pylori eradication.The metabolites regulated by H.pylori eradication therapy include cis-aconitic acid,isocitric acid,citric acid,L-tyrosine,L-phenylalanine,L-tryptophan,and hippuric acid,which were involved in four metabolic pathways:(1)Phenylalanine metabolism;(2)phenylalanine,tyrosine,and tryptophan biosynthesis;(3)citrate cycle;and(4)glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism.Integrated metabolomics and network pharmacology revealed that MPO,COMT,TPO,TH,EPX,CMA1,DDC,TPH1,and LPO were the key proteins involved in the biological progress of H.pylori eradication in chronic gastritis.CONCLUSION Our research provides a new perspective for exploring the significance of urinary metabolites in evaluating the treatment and prognosis of H.pylori-positive chronic gastritis patients.

Mimicking aneurysm in a patient with chronic occlusion of the left middle cerebral artery:A case report

BACKGROUND With the popularization of various cerebrovascular imaging methods and increased attention to the field,more cerebrovascular diseases are being detected in asymptomatic patients.Different cerebrovascular diseases are typically isolated but occasionally occur simultaneously,causing difficulties in diagnosis and treatment.Morphological changes in the collateral circulation of blood vessels in chronic cerebral artery occlusion patients are slow and dynamic,intercepting morphological development at a specific moment.Excessive reliance on single imaging tests such as digital subtraction cerebral angiography(DSA)can lead to misdiagnosis.CASE SUMMARY We report a 52-year-old male who was admitted to our department for treatment of an unruptured aneurysm during a follow-up examination for brain trauma after 1 mo.Computed tomography(CT)scan was negative,but CT angiography(CTA)revealed a sac-like bulge at the bifurcation of the left middle cerebral artery.DSA revealed an unruptured aneurysm with unique scapular morphology.The stump of a middle cerebral artery occlusion was observed during exposure during aneurysm clipping surgery,and the diagnosis of chronic cerebral artery occlusion was confirmed intraoperatively.This case was confusing because of the peculiar morphology of the arterial stump and compensatory angiogenesis due to multiple cerebral artery stenoses observed on preoperative CTA and DSA.The surgery did not cause secondary damage to the patient,and medical treatment for risk factors was continued postoperatively.CONCLUSION Multiple cerebral arterial stenoses can occur in conjunction with aneurysms or arteriovenous malformations,and their unique morphology can lead to misdiagnosis.

NLRP3-mediated autophagy dysfunction links gut microbiota dysbiosis to tau pathology in chronic sleep deprivation

Emerging evidence indicates that sleep deprivation(SD)can lead to Alzheimer’s disease(AD)-related pathological changes and cognitive decline.However,the underlying mechanisms remain obscure.In the present study,we identified the existence of a microbiota-gut-brain axis in cognitive deficits resulting from chronic SD and revealed a potential pathway by which gut microbiota affects cognitive functioning in chronic SD.Our findings demonstrated that chronic SD in mice not only led to cognitive decline but also induced gut microbiota dysbiosis,elevated NLRP3 inflammasome expression,GSK-3βactivation,autophagy dysfunction,and tau hyperphosphorylation in the hippocampus.Colonization with the“SD microbiota”replicated the pathological and behavioral abnormalities observed in chronic sleep-deprived mice.Remarkably,both the deletion of NLRP3 in NLRP3-/-mice and specific knockdown of NLRP3 in the hippocampus restored autophagic flux,suppressed tau hyperphosphorylation,and ameliorated cognitive deficits induced by chronic SD,while GSK-3βactivity was not regulated by the NLRP3 inflammasome in chronic SD.Notably,deletion of NLRP3 reversed NLRP3 inflammasome activation,autophagy deficits,and tau hyperphosphorylation induced by GSK-3βactivation in primary hippocampal neurons,suggesting that GSK-3β,as a regulator of NLRP3-mediated autophagy dysfunction,plays a significant role in promoting tau hyperphosphorylation.Thus,gut microbiota dysbiosis was identified as a contributor to chronic SD-induced tau pathology via NLRP3-mediated autophagy dysfunction,ultimately leading to cognitive deficits.Overall,these findings highlight GSK-3βas a regulator of NLRP3-mediated autophagy dysfunction,playing a critical role in promoting tau hyperphosphorylation.

Effect of nursing intervention on rehabilitation of patients with chronic sinusitis and nasal polyps after nasal endoscopy

BACKGROUND Chronic sinusitis is a kind of chronic suppurative inflammation of the sinus mucosa.Nasal endoscopy is a good method to treat nasal polyps.However postoperative rehabilitation and care should not be neglected.AIM To investigate the Effect of nursing intervention on the rehabilitation of patients with chronic sinusitis and nasal polyps(CSNPS)after nasal endoscopy.METHODS A total of 129 patients with CSNPS hospitalized from February 2017 to February 2019 were studied.Using the digital parity method,we investigated nursing cooperation strategies for endoscopic surgery.The comparison group(64 cases):Surgical nursing was carried out with traditional nursing measures;experimental group(65 cases):Surgical nursing was carried out by traditional nursing countermeasures+comprehensive nursing measures.We compared postoperative recovery rates,nursing satisfaction rates,and nasal cavity ratings between the two groups.RESULTS Experimental group patients with CSNPS had a significantly higher recovery rate(98.46%)compared to the control group(79.69%).This difference was statistically significant(χ2=11.748,P<0.05).Additionally,the satisfaction rate with treatment was also significantly higher in the experimental group(98.46%)compared to the control group(79.69%),with a statistically significant difference(χ2=11.748,P<0.05).Before nursing,there was no significant difference in sinus nasal cavity scores between the experimental group(20.29±7.25 points)and the control group(20.30±7.27 points)(t=0.008,P>0.05).However,after nursing,the sinus nasal cavity score in the experimental group(8.85±3.22 points)was significantly lower than that in the control group(14.99±5.02 points)(t=8.282,P<0.05).CONCLUSION Comprehensive nursing intervention in patients with CSNPS can significantly improve the total recovery rate after endoscopic surgery.

Risk factors for cognitive impairment in patients with chronic kidney disease

BACKGROUND Chronic kidney disease(CKD)patients have been found to be at risk of concurrent cognitive dysfunction in previous studies,which has now become an important public health issue of widespread concern.AIM To investigate the risk factors for concurrent cognitive dysfunction in patients with CKD.METHODS This is a prospective cohort study conducted among patients with CKD between October 2021 and March 2023.A questionnaire was formulated by literature review and expert consultation and included questions about age,sex,education level,per capita monthly household income,marital status,living condition,payment method,and hypertension.RESULTS Logistic regression analysis showed that patients aged 60-79 years[odds ratio(OR)=1.561,P=0.015]and≥80 years(OR=1.760,P=0.013),participants with middle to high school education(OR=0.820,P=0.027),divorced or widowed individuals(OR=1.37,P=0.032),self-funded patients(OR=2.368,P=0.008),and patients with hypertension(OR=2.011,P=0.041)had a higher risk of cognitive impairment.The risk of cognitive impairment was lower for those with a college degree(OR=0.435,P=0.034)and married individuals.CONCLUSION The risk factors affecting cognitive dysfunction are age,60-79 years and≥80 years;education,primary school education or less;marital status,divorced or widowed;payment method,selffunded;hypertension;and CKD.

The Application of Bilayer Artificial Dermis Combined with VSD Technology in Chronic Wounds

Background: Bilayer artificial dermis promotes wound healing and offers a treatment option for chronic wounds. Aim: Examine the clinical efficacy of bilayer artificial dermis combined with Vacuum Sealing Drainage (VSD) technology in the treatment of chronic wounds. Method: From June 2021 to December 2023, our hospital treated 24 patients with chronic skin tissue wounds on their limbs using a novel tissue engineering product, the bilayer artificial dermis, in combination with VSD technology to repair the wounds. The bilayer artificial dermis protects subcutaneous tissue, blood vessels, nerves, muscles, and tendons, and also promotes the growth of granulation tissue and blood vessels to aid in wound healing when used in conjunction with VSD technology for wound dressing changes in chronic wounds. Results: In this study, 24 cases of chronic wounds with exposed bone or tendon larger than 1.0 cm2 were treated with a bilayer artificial skin combined with VSD dressing after wound debridement. The wounds were not suitable for immediate skin grafting. At 2 - 3 weeks post-treatment, good granulation tissue growth was observed. Subsequent procedures included thick skin grafting or wound dressing changes until complete wound healing. Patients were followed up on average for 3 months (range: 1 - 12 months) post-surgery. Comparative analysis of the appearance, function, skin color, elasticity, and sensation of the healed chronic wounds revealed superior outcomes compared to traditional skin fl repairs, resulting in significantly higher satisfaction levels among patients and their families. Conclusion: The application of bilayer artificial dermis combined with VSD technology for the repair of chronic wounds proves to be a viable method, yielding satisfactory therapeutic effects compared to traditional skin flap procedures.

Surgical intervention combined with weight-bearing walking training promotes recovery in patients with chronic spinal cord injury:a randomized controlled study

For patients with chronic spinal cord injury,the co nventional treatment is rehabilitation and treatment of spinal cord injury complications such as urinary tract infection,pressure sores,osteoporosis,and deep vein thrombosis.Surgery is rarely perfo rmed on spinal co rd injury in the chronic phase,and few treatments have been proven effective in chronic spinal cord injury patients.Development of effective therapies fo r chronic spinal co rd injury patients is needed.We conducted a randomized controlled clinical trial in patients with chronic complete thoracic spinal co rd injury to compare intensive rehabilitation(weight-bearing walking training)alone with surgical intervention plus intensive rehabilitation.This clinical trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov(NCT02663310).The goal of surgical intervention was spinal cord detethering,restoration of cerebrospinal fluid flow,and elimination of residual spinal cord compression.We found that surgical intervention plus weight-bearing walking training was associated with a higher incidence of American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale improvement,reduced spasticity,and more rapid bowel and bladder functional recovery than weight-bearing walking training alone.Overall,the surgical procedures and intensive rehabilitation were safe.American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale improvement was more common in T7-T11 injuries than in T2-T6 injuries.Surgery combined with rehabilitation appears to have a role in treatment of chronic spinal cord injury patients.

Three-dimensional choroidal vascularity index and choroidal thickness in fellow eyes of acute and chronic primary angle-closure using swept-source optical coherence tomography

AIM:To compare the three-dimensional choroidal vascularity index(CVI)and choroidal thickness between fellow eyes of acute primary angle-closure(F-APAC)and chronic primary angle-closure glaucoma(F-CPACG)and the eyes of normal controls.METHODS:This study included 37 patients with unilateral APAC,37 with asymmetric CPACG without prior treatment,and 36 healthy participants.Using swept-source optical coherence tomography(SS-OCT),the macular and peripapillary choroidal thickness and three-dimensional CVI were measured and compared globally and sectorally.Pearson’s correlation analysis and multivariate regression models were used to evaluate choroidal thickness or CVI with related factors.RESULTS:The mean subfoveal CVIs were 0.35±0.10,0.33±0.09,and 0.29±0.04,and the mean subfoveal choroidal thickness were 315.62±52.92,306.22±59.29,and 262.69±45.55μm in the F-APAC,F-CPACG,and normal groups,respectively.All macular sectors showed significantly higher CVIs and choroidal thickness in the F-APAC and F-CPACG eyes than in the normal eyes(P<0.05),while there were no significant differences between the F-APAC and F-CPACG eyes.In the peripapillary region,the mean overall CVIs were 0.21±0.08,0.20±0.08,and 0.19±0.05,and the mean overall choroidal thickness were 180.45±54.18,174.82±50.67,and 176.18±37.94μm in the F-APAC,F-CPACG,and normal groups,respectively.There were no significant differences between any of the two groups in all peripapillary sectors.Younger age,shorter axial length,and the F-APAC or F-CPACG diagnosis were significantly associated with higher subfoveal CVI and thicker subfoveal choroidal thickness(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:The fellow eyes of unilateral APAC or asymmetric CPACG have higher macular CVI and choroidal thickness than those of the normal controls.Neither CVI nor choroidal thickness can distinguish between eyes predisposed to APAC or CPACG.A thicker choroid with a higher vascular volume may play a role in the pathogenesis of primary angle-closure glaucoma.

Genetic Evidence for Causal Association Between Hypertension and Chronic Pain:A Bidirectional Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization Study

Objective The extent to which the association between hypertension and chronic pain in observational studies is either causally linked or influenced by other shared risk factors has not been substantially addressed.In the present study,Mendelian randomization(MR)was employed to examine the potential causal relationship between hypertension and risk of chronic pain.Methods The study data were derived from the pooled dataset of the genome-wide association study(GWAS),enabling the evaluation of the causal effects of hypertension on various types of chronic pain including chronic headache as well as chest,abdominal,joint,back,limb,and multisite chronic pain.We performed a bidirectional two-sample MR analysis using random effect inverse variance weighting(IVW),MR-Egger,weighted median,and weighted mode,quantified by odds ratio(OR).Results Genetically predicted essential hypertension was associated with an increased risk of chronic headache(OR=1.007,95%CI:1.003-1.011,P=0.002)and limb pain(OR=1.219,95%CI:1.033-1.439,P=0.019).No potential causal associations were identified between chronic pain and essential hypertension in the reverse direction MR(P>0.05).In addition,there was no potential causal association between secondary hypertension and chronic pain(P>0.05).Conclusion This study provided genetic evidence that a unidirectional causal relationship exists between essential hypertension and the increased risks of chronic headache and limb pain,and no causal relationship was found between secondary hypertension and chronic pain.These findings offer theoretical underpinnings for future research on managing hypertension and chronic pain.