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This study aims to investigate the epidemiological characteristics of COVID-19 infection among healthcare workers, including the severity, duration of infection, post-infection symptoms and related influencing factors.
A self-administered questionnaire was utilized to assess the post-infection status of primary healthcare workers in Jiangsu Province. The questionnaire collected information on demographic characteristics, lifestyle habits, post-infection clinical manifestations, work environment and recovery time of the respondents. Customized outcome events were selected as dependent variables and logistic regression models were employed to analyse the risk factors. Phi-coefficient was used to describe the relationship between post-infection symptoms.
The analysis revealed that several factors, such as female, older age, obesity, previous medical history, exposure to high-risk environments and stress, were associated with a higher likelihood of experiencing more severe outcomes. On the other hand, vaccination and regular exercise were found to contribute to an earlier resolution of the infection. Among the post-infection symptoms, cough, malaise and muscle aches were the most frequently reported. Overall, there was a weak association among symptoms persisting beyond 14 days, with only cough and malaise, malaise and dizziness and headache showing a stronger correlation.
The study findings indicate that the overall severity of the first wave of infection, following the complete lifting of restrictions in China, was low. The impact on primary healthcare workers was limited, and the post-infection symptoms exhibited similarity to those observed in other countries. It is important to highlight that these conclusions are specifically relevant to the population infected with the Omicron variant.
This study helps to grasp the impacts of the first wave of COVID-19 infections on healthcare workers in China after the national lockdown was lifted.
Primary healthcare workers in Jiangsu Province, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other personnel from primary healthcare units such as community health service centres and health centres.
Diabetic Foot Ulcers (DFUs) are a major complication of diabetes, often leading to amputation. Understanding the relationship between haematological inflammatory markers and the incidence of amputation in DFU patients with infectious complications is crucial for improving management and outcomes. This retrospective study, conducted from May 2020 to October 2022, involved 109 patients with DFUs, categorised into amputation (AM) and non-amputation (NAM) groups. Patients were evaluated for various factors, including demographic data, DFU duration, and blood parameters such as haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), haemoglobin (Hb), albumin (ALB), white blood cell count (WBC), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), procalcitonin (PCT), C-reactive protein (CRP), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR). Statistical analyses were performed using independent sample t-tests, Mann–Whitney U test and logistic regression. The univariate analysis showed no significant difference in BMI, DM duration or DFU duration between groups. However, significant differences were noted in PCT, Hb, ESR, ALB, HbA1c and WBC levels, and in inflammatory ratios (NLR, PLR and LMR). Multivariate logistic regression identified CRP, NLR and PLR as independent risk factors for amputation. The study highlights CRP, PLR and NLR as key independent risk factors for amputation in patients with DFUs. These easily obtainable markers from routine blood tests can effectively aid in predicting the risk of osteomyelitis and amputation, enhancing clinical decision making and patient care strategies.
by Youqian Kong, Xiaoyu Wang, Hongyun Xu, Shaoxuan Liu, Rui Qie
BackgroundCirculating cytokines have been associated with colorectal cancer (CRC). However, their causal correlation remains undetermined. This investigation uses genetic data to evaluate the mechanism that links circulating cytokines and CRC via Mendelian Randomization (MR).
MethodsA two-sample MR evaluation was carried out to investigate the mechanism associating circulating cytokines and CRC in individuals of European ancestry. The Genome-wide association studies statistics, which are publically accessible, were used. Eligible instrumental SNPs that were significantly related to the circulating cytokines were selected. Multiple MR analysis approaches were carried out, including Simple Mode, inverse variance weighted (IVW), MR-Egger, Weighted Mode, Weighted Median, and MR pleiotropy residual sum and outlier (MR-PRESSO) methods.
ResultsThe evidence supporting the association of genetically predicted circulating levels with the increased risk of CRC was revealed; these included vascular endothelial growth factor (OR = 1.352, 95% CI: 1.019–1.315, P = 0.024), interleukin-12p70 (OR = 1.273, 95% CI: 1.133–1.430, P = 4.68×10−5), interleukin-13 (OR = 1.149, 95% CI: 1.012–1.299, P = 0.028), interleukin-10 (OR = 1.230, 95% CI: 1.013–1.493, P = 0.037), and interleukin-7 (OR = 1.191, 95% CI: 1.023–1.386 P = 0.024). Additionally, MR analysis negative causal association between macrophage colony stimulating factor and CRC (OR = 0.854, 95% CI: 0.764–0.955, P = 0.005). The data from Simple Mode, Weighted Median, MR-Egger, and Weighted Mode analyses were consistent with the IVW estimates. Furthermore, the sensitivity analysis indicated that the presence of no horizontal pleiotropy to bias the causal estimates.
ConclusionThis investigation identified a causal association between circulating cytokines levels risk of CRC and may provide a deeper understanding of the pathogenesis of CRC, as well as offer promising leads for the development of novel therapeutic targets for CRC.
Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) pose significant clinical challenges, representing severe complications in diabetes mellitus patients and contributing to non-traumatic amputations. Identifying reliable biomarkers can optimize early diagnosis and improve therapeutic outcomes. This study focused on evaluating the association between serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25-(OH)D], Serum Retinol Binding Protein (RBP), and Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in elderly DFU patients. A retrospective study involving 240 participants, from March 2020 to March 2023. The participants were segmented into three cohorts: 80 with DFUs, 80 diabetic patients without DFUs, and 80 healthy controls. Serum concentrations of the three biomarkers were assayed using methods like enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), chemiluminescence immunoassay, and an automated biochemistry analyser. Comparisons were made both between groups and within the DFU group based on disease severity. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences in biomarker levels across the groups (p < 0.05). COX-2 and RBP concentrations were highest in the DFU group, followed by the non-DFU diabetic group, and lowest in the control group. Conversely, 25(OH)D levels were highest in the control group, followed by the non-DFU diabetic group, and lowest in the DFU group. Within the DFU group, RBP and COX-2 levels increased with disease severity, while 25(OH)D levels decreased. These variations were especially pronounced in patients with the most severe Wagner grading. A significant positive correlation was observed between disease severity and levels of RBP (r = 0.651, p < 0.05) and COX-2 (r = 0.356, p < 0.05). Conversely, a significant negative correlation was identified between disease severity and 25(OH)D levels (r = −0.658, p < 0.05). Assessing 25(OH)D, RBP, and COX-2 serum levels offers a promising tool for evaluating the severity and progression of DFUs. Monitoring these biomarkers can enrich our understanding of the metabolic and inflammatory pathways of the disease and potentially refine therapeutic strategies.
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