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Purpose: Although many studies have been performed to evaluate whether or not apolipoprotein E gene ( APOE) polymorphisms are differentially associated with bone mineral density (BMD) and fractures, the results have been conflicting. This large-scale study was performed to investigate whether a relationship exists between APOE polymorphisms and risk of fracture. Methods: A hospital-based case-control study was conducted in 3,000 patients with fractures and 3,000 age- and gender-matched healthy controls. Polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) assay was applied to assess the APOE gene polymorphisms. Results: Patients with fractures had a significantly higher frequency of APOE E2/E2 genotype [odds ratio (OR) = 2.02, 95 % confidence interval (CI) = 1.30, 3.14; P = 0.002] than healthy controls. When stratifying by fracture type, it was found that patients with vertebral fractures had a significantly higher frequency of APOE E2/E2 genotype (OR = 2.86, 95 % CI = 1.73, 4.73; P < 0.001). No significant differences were found in nonvertebral (hip or wrist or other) fractures. Conclusions: Our study suggests that APOE E2/E2 genotype is a potential genetic risk factor for vertebral fractures in humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

2 nanofibers and nanotubes were synthesized by electrospinning method. Magnetization measurement indicates that the 2 nanofibers and nanotubes annealed in air at 500°C exhibit the room-temperature ferromagnetism and the ferromagnetism of nanotubes is stronger than the nanofibers. Selected area electron diffraction, X-ray diffraction and Raman measurements show that all the samples possess a typical rutile structure and no other impurity phases are observed. The results of the Raman spectra also indicate that there are lots of defects existing in the fabricated samples. The observed room-temperature ferromagnetism in 2 nanofibers and nanotubes possibly originates from oxygen vacancies. The field cooled (FC) and zero-field-cooled (ZFC) magnetization curves indicate that the Curie temperature TC is above 300 K. SnO2 nanofibers and nanotubes were synthesized the electrospinning method. The observed room-temperature ferromagnetism originates from surface defects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Delirium is one of the most common complications in critically ill children. Once delirium occurs, it will cause physical and psychological distress in children and increase the length of their ICU stay and hospitalization costs. Understanding the risk factors for delirium in critically ill children can help develop targeted nursing interventions to reduce the incidence of delirium. Aims: To investigate the incidence and the risk factors of delirium in the paediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Study design: We performed a prospective observational study in critically ill patients in the PICU between February and July 2020. Delirium was diagnosed by the Cornell Assessment of Paediatric Delirium (CAPD) and the Richmond Agitation Sedation Scale and analysed via univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression to determine the independent risk factors of delirium in critically ill children. Results: The study enrolled 315 patients ranging in age from 1–202 (65.3–54.3) months, with 56.2% (n = 177) being male. The incidence of delirium was 29.2% (n = 92) according to CAPD criteria. Among them, 33 cases (35.9%) were of hyperactive delirium, 16 cases (17.4%) were of hypoactive delirium, and 43 cases (46.7%) were of mixed delirium. By using stepwise logistic regression, the independent risk factors of delirium included mechanical ventilation (odds ratio [OR], 11.470; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.283–30.721), nervous system disease (OR, 5.596; 95%CI, 2.445 to 12.809), developmental delay (OR, 5.157; 95% CI, 1.990–13.363), benzodiazepine (OR, 3.359; 95% CI 1.278–8.832), number of catheters (OR, 1.918; 95% CI, 1.425 to 2.582), and age (OR, 0.985; 95% confidence interval CI, 0.976–0.993). Conclusions: Delirium is a common complication in the PICU. The independent risk factors include mechanical ventilation, nervous system disease, developmental delay, benzodiazepines, higher number of catheters, and younger age. This study may help develop intervention strategies to reduce the incidence of delirium in critically ill children by targeting modifiable risk factors. Relevance to Clinical Practice: Recommendations for practice include paying attention to high‐risk children in the ICU who are prone to delirium, removing influencing factors as soon as possible, and providing targeted nursing interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To evaluate the clinical significance of low-frequency electrical stimulation in preventing urinary retention after radical hysterectomy. Methods: A total of 91 women with stage IA2–IB2 cervical cancer, who were treated with radical hysterectomy and lymphadenectomy from January 2009 to December 2012, were enrolled into this study and were randomly divided into two groups: trail group (48 cases) and control group (43 cases). Traditional bladder function training and low-frequency electrical stimulation were conducted in the trail group, while patients in the control group were only treated by traditional bladder training. The general condition, rate of urinary retention, and muscle strength grades of pelvic floor muscle in the perioperative period were compared between these two groups. Results: The incidence of postoperative urinary retention in the electrical stimulation group was 10.41%, significantly lower than that in the control group (44.18%), and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.01). The duration of postoperative fever and use of antibiotics were almost the same between these two groups. Eleven days after surgery, the difference in grades of the pelvic floor muscle between these two groups was not statistically significant. However, 14 days after the operation, grades of the pelvic floor muscle were significantly higher in the trail group than in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.01). In addition, although there was no significant difference between the two groups with different parameters (P = 0.782), the incidence of urinary retention was lower in the endorphins analgesia program group than in the neuromuscular repair program group (9.09% < 11.54%). Conclusion: Low-frequency electrical stimulation is more effective than conventional intervention in preventing urinary retention after radical hysterectomy. It also intensifies the recovery of pelvic muscle strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]