Background: Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) stands as a prominent postoperative complication in on-pump cardiac surgery, with repercussions on morbidity, mortality, and hospitalization duration. Current diagnostic criteria ...Background: Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) stands as a prominent postoperative complication in on-pump cardiac surgery, with repercussions on morbidity, mortality, and hospitalization duration. Current diagnostic criteria relying on serum creatinine levels exhibit a delayed identification of AKI, prompting an exploration of alternative biomarkers. Aims and Objectives: This study is designed to overcome diagnostic constraints and explore the viability of serum Cystatin C as an early predictor of Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) in individuals undergoing on-pump cardiac surgery. The investigation aims to establish the relationship between serum Cystatin C levels and the onset of AKI in patients subjected to on-pump cardiac surgery. Primary objectives involve the assessment of the diagnostic effectiveness of serum Cystatin C, its comparison with serum creatinine, and the exploration of its potential for the early identification and treatment of AKI. Methodology: Conducted as a single-center study at the cardiac surgery department of BSMMU in Bangladesh from September 2020 to August 2022, a comparative cross-sectional analysis involved 31 participants categorized into No AKI and AKI groups based on Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) criteria. Data collection encompassed preoperative, post-CBP (cardiopulmonary bypass) conclusion at 2 hours, postoperative day 1, and postoperative day 2 intervals. Statistical analyses included Chi-squared tests, independent Student’s t-tests, and one-sample t-tests. Significance was set at P Results: The study revealed no significant differences in baseline characteristics between the No AKI and AKI groups, except for CPB time and cross-clamp time. Serum Cystatin C levels in the AKI group exhibited statistical significance at various time points, highlighting its potential as an early detector. Conversely, Serum Creatinine levels in the AKI group showed no statistical significance. The Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis further supported the efficacy of serum Cystatin C, with an Area under the ROC Curve of 0.864 and a cut-off value of 0.55 (p Conclusion: This study supports the superior utility of serum Cystatin C as an early detector of AKI in on-pump cardiac surgery patients compared to serum creatinine. Its ability to identify AKI several hours earlier may contribute to reduced morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. The findings underscore the significance of exploring novel biomarkers for improved post-cardiac surgery renal function assessment.展开更多
Abducens nerve palsy(ANP) is commonly seen in patients with diabetes mellitus. The validity of acupuncture as a traditional Chinese medicine method in peripheral nerve repair is well established. However, its effica...Abducens nerve palsy(ANP) is commonly seen in patients with diabetes mellitus. The validity of acupuncture as a traditional Chinese medicine method in peripheral nerve repair is well established. However, its efficacy in randomized controlled trials remains unclear. Herein, we designed a protocol for a prospective, single-center, randomized controlled trial to investigate the effect of intraorbital electroacupuncture on diabetic ANP. We plan to recruit 60 patients with diabetic ANP, and randomly divide them into treatment and control groups. Patients in both groups will continue their glucose-lowering therapy. A neural nutrition drug will be given to both groups for six weeks. The treatment group will also receive intraorbital electroacupuncture therapy. We will assess efficacy of treatment, eyeball movement, diplopia deviation and the levels of fasting blood-glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin before treatment at 2, 4, and 6 weeks after treatment. The efficacy and recurrence will be investigated during follow-up(1 month after intervention). This protocol was registered at Chinese Clinical Trial Registry on 16 January 2015(Chi CTR-IPR-15005836). This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University of China(approval number: 201452). All protocols will be in accordance with Declaration of Helsinki, formulated by the World Medical Association. Written informed consent will be provided by participants. We envisage that the results of this clinical trial will provide evidence for promoting clinical use of this new therapy for management of ANP.展开更多
Hiking trails are a basic type of tourist infrastructure,which,on the one hand,make areas available for tourist traffic,and on the other hand,can contribute to the protection of the natural environment(if they are wel...Hiking trails are a basic type of tourist infrastructure,which,on the one hand,make areas available for tourist traffic,and on the other hand,can contribute to the protection of the natural environment(if they are well designed and maintained).Owing to the variety of performed functions,their designation is determined by several factors:natural,technical,economic,social.Networks of trails change constantly.The aim of this article is to determine exactly what factors influence transformations within the hiking trail networks and what is their significance.To this end,three study areas in the Sudetes were analysed:one on the Polish side of the Sudetes-the Table(Stołowe)Mountains,and two on the Czech side-the rock town near the village of Sloup vČechách and the central part of Zlatohorskávrchovina.An analysis of changes in the shape of the networks over time was carried out,as well as surveys of institutions that were responsible for or influenced these transformations.These areas are characterised by a significant level of changes in the trail network.Among the factors influencing these changes,the tourist attractiveness of the area,the resilience of the environment,the intensity of tourism traffic,the environmental transformations associated with it,the history of tourism development and land ownership changes should be considered the most important.At each stage of forming networks,the key factor should be tourists’needs,including the desire to escape the urbanised environment.For this reason,trails should avoid roads with artificial(hard)surfaces and heavy automobile traffic.展开更多
Background:Despite significant advancements in the development of anticancer therapies over the past few decades,the clinical management of colorectal cancer remains a challenging task.This study aims to investigate t...Background:Despite significant advancements in the development of anticancer therapies over the past few decades,the clinical management of colorectal cancer remains a challenging task.This study aims to investigate the inhibitory effects of cancer-targeting liposomes against colorectal cancer.Materials and Methods:Liposomes consisting of 3β-[N-(N′,N′-dimethylamino ethane)carbamoyl]-cholesterol(DC-CHOL),cholesterol(CHOL),and dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine(DOPE)at a molar ratio of 1:1:0.5 were created and used as carriers to deliver an apoptosis-inducing plasmid encoding the tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand(pTRAIL)gene,along with the toll-like receptor(TLR7)agonist Rsiquimod(R848).The rationale behind this design is that pTRAIL can trigger cancer cell apoptosis by activating the DR4/5 receptor,while R848 can stimulate the immune microenvironment.Results:Experimental results demonstrated the synergistic effects of R848 and pTRAIL encapsulated by liposomes(RTL)in suppressing the proliferation of colorectal cancer cells.Moreover,further in vivo investigations revealed the strong anti-tumor efficacy of RTL in xenograft and orthotropic in situ models of colorectal cancer.Conclusions:These findings collectively highlight the therapeutic potential of R848/pTRAIL-loaded liposomes in the treatment of colorectal cancer.展开更多
Cultural ancient roads,known in Chinese as gudao,serve as heritage trails that carry historical exchanges across various regions in China.Due to their extensive preservation,wide geographical distribution,diverse them...Cultural ancient roads,known in Chinese as gudao,serve as heritage trails that carry historical exchanges across various regions in China.Due to their extensive preservation,wide geographical distribution,diverse thematic variations,and considerable tourist appeal,these paths have emerged as representative heritage trails,increasingly transforming into a novel tourism product experience that is highly favored by tourists and recognized by government authorities.However,research on ancient roads for tourism in China currently lacks a systematic theoretical framework,as well as relevant policies,regulations,and standards to guide their practical development.Therefore,there is a pressing need to draw upon international best practices and conduct foundational research to develop an experience element system that aligns with the perceptions,behaviors,and consumption characteristics of Chinese tourists,thereby advancing theoretical exploration in this field.This study focuses on the representative Ancient Shu Road as a case study and employs a mixed-method approach that integrates qualitative and quantitative research.It aims to construct a tourist-centric scale for the experience elements of ancient road tourism while analyzing the interactive relationship between these experience elements and tourist needs.This study addresses a significant gap in the development of indicator systems for domestic studies of ancient road tourism experiences.Ultimately,the study establishes a comprehensive scale that encompasses three core categories—trail resources and environment,facilities and services,and modes of tourism activities—along with eight primary dimensions:core resources,surrounding cultural environment,surrounding natural environment,tourism reception facilities and services,infrastructure and support services,information facilities and information services,and outdoor and recreational activities.This scale consists of thirty-two specific items,providing a robust reference for future research endeavors.Additionally,the study proposes specific development strategies related to key mechanisms,spatial configuration,and facility construction to enhance the overall development of ancient road tourism.展开更多
BACKGROUND Several studies have reported that the walking trail making test(WTMT)completion time is significantly higher in patients with developmental coordination disorders and mild cognitive impairments.We hypothes...BACKGROUND Several studies have reported that the walking trail making test(WTMT)completion time is significantly higher in patients with developmental coordination disorders and mild cognitive impairments.We hypothesized that WTMT performance would be altered in older adults with white matter hyperintensities(WMH).AIM To explore the performance in the WTMT in older people with WMH.METHODS In this single-center,observational study,25 elderly WMH patients admitted to our hospital from June 2019 to June 2020 served as the WMH group and 20 participants matched for age,gender,and educational level who were undergoing physical examination in our hospital during the same period served as the control group.The participants completed the WTMT-A and WTMT-B to obtain their gait parameters,including WTMT-A completion time,WTMT-B completion time,speed,step length,cadence,and stance phase percent.White matter lesions were scored according to the Fazekas scale.Multiple neuropsychological assessments were carried out to assess cognitive function.The relationships between WTMT performance and cognition and motion in elderly patients with WMH were analyzed by partial Pearson correlation analysis.RESULTS Patients with WMH performed significantly worse on the choice reaction test(CRT)(0.51±0.09 s vs 0.44±0.06 s,P=0.007),verbal fluency test(VFT,14.2±2.75 vs 16.65±3.54,P=0.012),and digit symbol substitution test(16.00±2.75 vs 18.40±3.27,P=0.010)than participants in the control group.The WMH group also required significantly more time to complete the WTMT-A(93.00±10.76 s vs 70.55±11.28 s,P<0.001)and WTMT-B(109.72±12.26 s vs 82.85±7.90 s,P<0.001).WTMT-A completion time was positively correlated with CRT time(r=0.460,P=0.001),while WTMT-B completion time was negatively correlated with VFT(r=-0.391,P=0.008).On the WTMT-A,only speed was found to statistically differ between the WMH and control groups(0.803±0.096 vs 0.975±0.050 m/s,P<0.001),whereas on the WTMT-B,the WMH group exhibited a significantly lower speed(0.778±0.111 vs 0.970±0.053 m/s,P<0.001)and cadence(82.600±4.140 vs 85.500±5.020 steps/m,P=0.039),as well as a higher stance phase percentage(65.061±1.813%vs 63.513±2.465%,P=0.019)relative to controls.CONCLUSION Older adults with WMH showed obviously poorer WTMT performance.WTMT could be a potential indicator for cognitive and motor deficits in patients with WMH.展开更多
Xiamen,a coastal city famous for its impressive seascape,draws numerous tourists each year.One of the prime locations to appreciate the city’s beauty is the Mountains-to-Sea Trail,an approximately 23-kilometer-long p...Xiamen,a coastal city famous for its impressive seascape,draws numerous tourists each year.One of the prime locations to appreciate the city’s beauty is the Mountains-to-Sea Trail,an approximately 23-kilometer-long pedestrian corridor that offers a unique experience for visitors.展开更多
文摘Background: Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) stands as a prominent postoperative complication in on-pump cardiac surgery, with repercussions on morbidity, mortality, and hospitalization duration. Current diagnostic criteria relying on serum creatinine levels exhibit a delayed identification of AKI, prompting an exploration of alternative biomarkers. Aims and Objectives: This study is designed to overcome diagnostic constraints and explore the viability of serum Cystatin C as an early predictor of Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) in individuals undergoing on-pump cardiac surgery. The investigation aims to establish the relationship between serum Cystatin C levels and the onset of AKI in patients subjected to on-pump cardiac surgery. Primary objectives involve the assessment of the diagnostic effectiveness of serum Cystatin C, its comparison with serum creatinine, and the exploration of its potential for the early identification and treatment of AKI. Methodology: Conducted as a single-center study at the cardiac surgery department of BSMMU in Bangladesh from September 2020 to August 2022, a comparative cross-sectional analysis involved 31 participants categorized into No AKI and AKI groups based on Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) criteria. Data collection encompassed preoperative, post-CBP (cardiopulmonary bypass) conclusion at 2 hours, postoperative day 1, and postoperative day 2 intervals. Statistical analyses included Chi-squared tests, independent Student’s t-tests, and one-sample t-tests. Significance was set at P Results: The study revealed no significant differences in baseline characteristics between the No AKI and AKI groups, except for CPB time and cross-clamp time. Serum Cystatin C levels in the AKI group exhibited statistical significance at various time points, highlighting its potential as an early detector. Conversely, Serum Creatinine levels in the AKI group showed no statistical significance. The Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis further supported the efficacy of serum Cystatin C, with an Area under the ROC Curve of 0.864 and a cut-off value of 0.55 (p Conclusion: This study supports the superior utility of serum Cystatin C as an early detector of AKI in on-pump cardiac surgery patients compared to serum creatinine. Its ability to identify AKI several hours earlier may contribute to reduced morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. The findings underscore the significance of exploring novel biomarkers for improved post-cardiac surgery renal function assessment.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.81674052the Key Project of Natural Science Foundation of Heilongjiang Province of China,No.ZD201211a grant from the Project of Innovational Scientific Research of Harbin Medical University of China,No.2016LCZX49
文摘Abducens nerve palsy(ANP) is commonly seen in patients with diabetes mellitus. The validity of acupuncture as a traditional Chinese medicine method in peripheral nerve repair is well established. However, its efficacy in randomized controlled trials remains unclear. Herein, we designed a protocol for a prospective, single-center, randomized controlled trial to investigate the effect of intraorbital electroacupuncture on diabetic ANP. We plan to recruit 60 patients with diabetic ANP, and randomly divide them into treatment and control groups. Patients in both groups will continue their glucose-lowering therapy. A neural nutrition drug will be given to both groups for six weeks. The treatment group will also receive intraorbital electroacupuncture therapy. We will assess efficacy of treatment, eyeball movement, diplopia deviation and the levels of fasting blood-glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin before treatment at 2, 4, and 6 weeks after treatment. The efficacy and recurrence will be investigated during follow-up(1 month after intervention). This protocol was registered at Chinese Clinical Trial Registry on 16 January 2015(Chi CTR-IPR-15005836). This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University of China(approval number: 201452). All protocols will be in accordance with Declaration of Helsinki, formulated by the World Medical Association. Written informed consent will be provided by participants. We envisage that the results of this clinical trial will provide evidence for promoting clinical use of this new therapy for management of ANP.
文摘Hiking trails are a basic type of tourist infrastructure,which,on the one hand,make areas available for tourist traffic,and on the other hand,can contribute to the protection of the natural environment(if they are well designed and maintained).Owing to the variety of performed functions,their designation is determined by several factors:natural,technical,economic,social.Networks of trails change constantly.The aim of this article is to determine exactly what factors influence transformations within the hiking trail networks and what is their significance.To this end,three study areas in the Sudetes were analysed:one on the Polish side of the Sudetes-the Table(Stołowe)Mountains,and two on the Czech side-the rock town near the village of Sloup vČechách and the central part of Zlatohorskávrchovina.An analysis of changes in the shape of the networks over time was carried out,as well as surveys of institutions that were responsible for or influenced these transformations.These areas are characterised by a significant level of changes in the trail network.Among the factors influencing these changes,the tourist attractiveness of the area,the resilience of the environment,the intensity of tourism traffic,the environmental transformations associated with it,the history of tourism development and land ownership changes should be considered the most important.At each stage of forming networks,the key factor should be tourists’needs,including the desire to escape the urbanised environment.For this reason,trails should avoid roads with artificial(hard)surfaces and heavy automobile traffic.
基金approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee(IACUC)of the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University(No.2023048).
文摘Background:Despite significant advancements in the development of anticancer therapies over the past few decades,the clinical management of colorectal cancer remains a challenging task.This study aims to investigate the inhibitory effects of cancer-targeting liposomes against colorectal cancer.Materials and Methods:Liposomes consisting of 3β-[N-(N′,N′-dimethylamino ethane)carbamoyl]-cholesterol(DC-CHOL),cholesterol(CHOL),and dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine(DOPE)at a molar ratio of 1:1:0.5 were created and used as carriers to deliver an apoptosis-inducing plasmid encoding the tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand(pTRAIL)gene,along with the toll-like receptor(TLR7)agonist Rsiquimod(R848).The rationale behind this design is that pTRAIL can trigger cancer cell apoptosis by activating the DR4/5 receptor,while R848 can stimulate the immune microenvironment.Results:Experimental results demonstrated the synergistic effects of R848 and pTRAIL encapsulated by liposomes(RTL)in suppressing the proliferation of colorectal cancer cells.Moreover,further in vivo investigations revealed the strong anti-tumor efficacy of RTL in xenograft and orthotropic in situ models of colorectal cancer.Conclusions:These findings collectively highlight the therapeutic potential of R848/pTRAIL-loaded liposomes in the treatment of colorectal cancer.
文摘目的探讨血清肿瘤坏死因子相关凋亡诱导配体(TRAIL)水平与晚期非小细胞肺癌(NSCLC)患者免疫治疗反应的关联性。方法回顾性分析2019年1月至2020年5月唐山市人民医院收治的70例晚期NSCLC患者的临床资料。在免疫治疗前24 h内采用酶联免疫吸附试验法(ELISA)测定患者血清TRAIL水平。免疫治疗反应通过客观缓解率(ORR)和临床获益率(CBR)进行评估。分析患者血清TRAIL水平与免疫治疗反应、肺功能及肺气肿、临床预后的关联性。结果经免疫治疗后,NSCLC患者获得客观缓解23例,临床获益46例。获得客观缓解患者的血清TRAIL水平显著高于未获得客观缓解者[27.77(23.13,39.13)pg/mL vs 12.36(8.76,18.15)pg/mL;Z=4.508,P<0.001]。临床获益患者的血清TRAIL水平显著高于临床未获益者[23.13(16.99,30.63)pg/mL vs 11.75(8.76,15.56)pg/mL;Z=4.887,P<0.001]。Spearman秩相关性分析结果显示,血清TRAIL水平与1秒用力呼气容积/用力肺活量(FEV1/FVC)呈正相关(rs=0.288,P=0.016),与肺气肿总比值(rs=-0.257,P=0.032)、肺叶肺气肿比率(LER)(rs=-0.324,P=0.006)呈负相关。多因素logistic回归分析结果显示,以血清TRAIL>27.46 pg/mL为参考,血清TRAIL<18.15 pg/mL患者经免疫治疗不能获得客观缓解和临床获益的风险显著增加(P<0.05)。ROC曲线分析结果显示,血清TRAIL水平可有效预测NSCLC患者对免疫治疗的反应(P<0.05)。TRAIL高水平组(血清TRAIL≥18.15 pg/mL)的总体生存(OS)、无进展生存(PFS)预后显著优于TRAIL低水平组(血清TRAIL<18.15 pg/mL)(P<0.05)。结论血清TRAIL低水平与晚期NSCLC患者免疫治疗无反应以及临床预后不良有关,该指标监测有助于筛选能从免疫治疗中获益的NSCLC患者。
文摘Cultural ancient roads,known in Chinese as gudao,serve as heritage trails that carry historical exchanges across various regions in China.Due to their extensive preservation,wide geographical distribution,diverse thematic variations,and considerable tourist appeal,these paths have emerged as representative heritage trails,increasingly transforming into a novel tourism product experience that is highly favored by tourists and recognized by government authorities.However,research on ancient roads for tourism in China currently lacks a systematic theoretical framework,as well as relevant policies,regulations,and standards to guide their practical development.Therefore,there is a pressing need to draw upon international best practices and conduct foundational research to develop an experience element system that aligns with the perceptions,behaviors,and consumption characteristics of Chinese tourists,thereby advancing theoretical exploration in this field.This study focuses on the representative Ancient Shu Road as a case study and employs a mixed-method approach that integrates qualitative and quantitative research.It aims to construct a tourist-centric scale for the experience elements of ancient road tourism while analyzing the interactive relationship between these experience elements and tourist needs.This study addresses a significant gap in the development of indicator systems for domestic studies of ancient road tourism experiences.Ultimately,the study establishes a comprehensive scale that encompasses three core categories—trail resources and environment,facilities and services,and modes of tourism activities—along with eight primary dimensions:core resources,surrounding cultural environment,surrounding natural environment,tourism reception facilities and services,infrastructure and support services,information facilities and information services,and outdoor and recreational activities.This scale consists of thirty-two specific items,providing a robust reference for future research endeavors.Additionally,the study proposes specific development strategies related to key mechanisms,spatial configuration,and facility construction to enhance the overall development of ancient road tourism.
基金Supported by The Wu Jieping Medical Foundation,No.320.6750.18456.
文摘BACKGROUND Several studies have reported that the walking trail making test(WTMT)completion time is significantly higher in patients with developmental coordination disorders and mild cognitive impairments.We hypothesized that WTMT performance would be altered in older adults with white matter hyperintensities(WMH).AIM To explore the performance in the WTMT in older people with WMH.METHODS In this single-center,observational study,25 elderly WMH patients admitted to our hospital from June 2019 to June 2020 served as the WMH group and 20 participants matched for age,gender,and educational level who were undergoing physical examination in our hospital during the same period served as the control group.The participants completed the WTMT-A and WTMT-B to obtain their gait parameters,including WTMT-A completion time,WTMT-B completion time,speed,step length,cadence,and stance phase percent.White matter lesions were scored according to the Fazekas scale.Multiple neuropsychological assessments were carried out to assess cognitive function.The relationships between WTMT performance and cognition and motion in elderly patients with WMH were analyzed by partial Pearson correlation analysis.RESULTS Patients with WMH performed significantly worse on the choice reaction test(CRT)(0.51±0.09 s vs 0.44±0.06 s,P=0.007),verbal fluency test(VFT,14.2±2.75 vs 16.65±3.54,P=0.012),and digit symbol substitution test(16.00±2.75 vs 18.40±3.27,P=0.010)than participants in the control group.The WMH group also required significantly more time to complete the WTMT-A(93.00±10.76 s vs 70.55±11.28 s,P<0.001)and WTMT-B(109.72±12.26 s vs 82.85±7.90 s,P<0.001).WTMT-A completion time was positively correlated with CRT time(r=0.460,P=0.001),while WTMT-B completion time was negatively correlated with VFT(r=-0.391,P=0.008).On the WTMT-A,only speed was found to statistically differ between the WMH and control groups(0.803±0.096 vs 0.975±0.050 m/s,P<0.001),whereas on the WTMT-B,the WMH group exhibited a significantly lower speed(0.778±0.111 vs 0.970±0.053 m/s,P<0.001)and cadence(82.600±4.140 vs 85.500±5.020 steps/m,P=0.039),as well as a higher stance phase percentage(65.061±1.813%vs 63.513±2.465%,P=0.019)relative to controls.CONCLUSION Older adults with WMH showed obviously poorer WTMT performance.WTMT could be a potential indicator for cognitive and motor deficits in patients with WMH.
文摘Xiamen,a coastal city famous for its impressive seascape,draws numerous tourists each year.One of the prime locations to appreciate the city’s beauty is the Mountains-to-Sea Trail,an approximately 23-kilometer-long pedestrian corridor that offers a unique experience for visitors.