The impact of environmental regulation on total factor productivity of firms : An analysis based on technical distance

Printed on September 2020Peer reviewe

Case literature analysis of Fournier’s gangrene caused by sodium-glucose protein-2 inhibitors

ObjectiveTo analyze the clinical characteristics and correlation of Fournier’s gangrene induced by sodium-glucose cotransporter protein-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors, providing references for safe clinical drug use.MethodsThe CNKI, WanFang, and PubMed databases were searched, and relevant documents were collected and statistically analyzed. The basic information of patients, drug use information, adverse reactions and outcomes were extracted and analyzed.ResultsA total of 12 patients (8 males and 4 females) were included, with an average age of 55.6 years (ranging from 34 to 72 years). SGLT-2 inhibitors associated with Fournier’s gangrene include empagliflozin (5 cases), dapagliflozin (5 cases), and canagliflozin (2 cases). Among them, 10 cases reported the time of first medication, ranging from 1 month to 6 years for the occurrence of adverse reactions. The most common concomitant drug was metformin (7 cases). Adverse reactions mainly manifested as redness, swelling and pain in the buttocks, perineum, perianal, scrotum and other positions, accompanied by an increased white blood cell count. Following surgery and antibiotic treatment, all patients showed improved.ConclusionFournier’s gangrene induced by SGLT-2 inhibitors is rare. If patients using SGLT-2 inhibitors are suspected of having Fournier’s gangrene, it is recommended to discontinue the drugs immediately and initiate active treatment to ensure clinical safety

Effect of JUNCAO-cultivated Ganoderma lucidum spent mushroom substrate-hot water extract on immune function in mice

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of JUNCAO-cultivated Ganoderma lucidum spent mushroom substratehot water extract (SMSG-HWE) on murine immunity.Methods: Five groups of mice (n = 10) received water with 0.00, 0.14, 0.28, 0.84, or 1.68 g/kg of SWSG-HWE, respectively, orally for 30 days. Various biochemical parameters of serum and tissues, including spleen and thymus indices, were determined were determined for the miceResults: The following markers were significantly higher in the 0.84 g/kg SMSG-HWE group than in the control group (all p < 0.05): splenic lymphocyte proliferation, a marker of cell-mediate immunity; dinitrofluorobenzene-induced delayed hypersensitivity; and the number of haemolytic plaque-forming cells, as a marker of humoral immunity. Phagocytic rate, which evaluates mononuclear-macrophage function as a marker of innate immunity, was significantly higher in both the 0.84 g/kg HWE and 1.68 g/kg SWSG-HWE groups, while phagocytic index was significantly higher in the 0.28 g/kg SWSG-HWE group, compared to the control group (all p < 0.05). Natural killer cell activity also was significantly enhanced in the 0.84 g/kg and 1.68 g/kg SWSG-HWE groups (p < 0.05).Conclusion: These findings indicate that SWSG-HWE enhances murine immune function, and may be suitable as a potential additive in animal feed.Keywords: Hot water extract, Cell-mediated immune function, Concanavalin A, Mononuclearmacrophage function, Haemolytic plaque, Humoral immunity, Innate immunity, Animal feed additiv

Clinicopathological characteristics of gastrointestinal schwannomas: A retrospective analysis of 78 cases

IntroductionSchwannomas are tumors arising from Schwan cells of the neural sheath, which rarely occur in the gastrointestinal tract. The aim of the present study was to analyze the clinicopathological features and treatment outcomes of gastrointestinal schwannomas (GISs).MethodsPatients who were diagnosed with GISs in our hospital from January 2010 to December 2021 were selected. Data about demographic characteristics, clinical symptoms, treatment methods and outcomes, pathological results, and follow-up results were retrospectively collected and analyzed.ResultsA total of 78 patients with 79 GISs were included, the female-to-male ratio was 55:23, and the average age was 52.12 ± 12.26 years. One-third (26/78) of the patients were asymptomatic. A total of 79 GISs were removed, and the average size was 3.63 ± 2.03 cm (range, 0.3–10 cm). As for tumor location, 54 GISs were located in the stomach, 14 in the esophagus, 2 in the duodenum, 6 in the colorectum (4 in the colon and 2 in the rectum), and the other 3 in the small intestine. A total of 23 and 55 patients underwent endoscopic and surgical resections, respectively. Compared with surgical resection, endoscopic resection is associated with a smaller diameter, lower cost, and shorter hospital stay. Pathological results revealed that S100 was positive in all the GISs. No recurrence was noticed during a median follow-up of 45 months (range, 6–148 months).ConclusionGISs are rare gastrointestinal tumors with favorable prognoses, which are most commonly seen in the stomach and diagnosed by pathological findings with immunohistochemical staining. Surgical resection remains the standard method for removing GISs, while endoscopic resection may serve as an alternative method for selected patients with GISs and may be attempted in GISs with a diameter of <3 cm and no signs of malignancy

Piezoelectric Wireless Power Transfer using Halbach Array for the Internet of Implanted Things

Implanted devices are increasingly used in chronic disease monitoring, but face challenges in energy autonomy. The paper presents a novel wireless power transfer method for self-sustained medical implants using Halbach array-based magnetic plucking and piezoelectric transduction. The wearableimplantable coupled system consists of a piezoelectric receiver within the implant to receive power and a near-field magnetic power transmitter as a wearable device. To deliver power over greater distances through the human body, the transmitter features a rotating magnetic Halbach array powered by a miniature motor or by human motion to generate an alternating magnetic field. The use of low-frequency rotating magnetic fields periodically excites a cantilevered piezoelectric beam with a tip magnet to realize wireless power transfer. A theoretical model that includes magnetic coupling, piezoelectric transduction and receiver beam dynamics has been established to study the electromagneto-mechanical dynamics of this wireless power transfer system. The effectiveness of the Halbach array for extended power transfer is examined through theoretical modelling and numerical simulation, showing a 37.2% enhancement of the magnetic forces. A prototype was also fabricated and tested to examine the wireless power transfer performance. The established wireless power link can provide sufficient power (∼32 µW) over a large transmission distance (22 mm), providing a potential batteryfree solution for the self-sustained Internet of Implanted Things (IoIT) for personalized healthcare