Yang Li

Summary This study examined the association of serum total alkaline phosphatase (T-ALP) with bone mineral density (BMD) and osteoporosis prevalence in the general population, and investigated its association with mortality in individuals with osteoporosis, using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) between 2005 and 2018. Elevated serum T-ALP levels were significantly associated with both reduced BMD and an increased risk of osteoporosis in all participants. Moreover, elevated T-ALP levels were linked to higher all-cause mortality among individuals with osteoporosis during this period. Introduction The evidence regarding the association between serum T-ALP, BMD and osteoporosis prevalence in general population is incomplete, and limited evidence is available concerning its association with mortality among individuals with osteoporosis. The study investigated the association of serum T-ALP with BMD and osteoporosis prevalence in the general population, and examined its association with mortality in individuals with osteoporosis. Methods All participants were adults from the NHANES (2005–2018), and mortality data were obtained from the National Death Index up to December 31, 2019. Firstly, the association of serum T-ALP with BMD and osteoporosis risk was assessed using linear regression model, subgroup analysis, analysis of covariance and weighted logistic regression model, respectively. Secondly, survival analysis including Kaplan–Meier curves, Cox proportional hazards models, and restricted cubic spline regression models were utilized to analyze the relationship between serum T-ALP levels and mortality risk. Results The study included 13,724 participants aged 18 to 85 years, and 944 were diagnosed with osteoporosis, among whom 221 died during a median of 133 months follow-up. Totally, elevated serum T-ALP was significantly associated with low BMD in femoral neck and lumbar spine, and the results exhibited consistency across diverse age, genders, races, and BMI subgroups. Moreover, for each 1 SD increase in T-ALP, there was a 0.5% increase in the prevalence of osteoporosis [OR (95%CI): 1.005 (1.005, 1.005), p < 0.001]. Among individuals with osteoporosis, for every 1 SD increase in T-ALP, the all-cause mortality increased by 0.4% [HR (95%CI):1.004 (1.002, 1.006), p < 0.001]. Meanwhile, comparing participants with highest serum T-ALP levels (> 79 IU/L) to those with lowest levels (< 53 IU/L) further raised the prevalence of osteoporosis [OR (95%CI):1.292 (1.021, 1.636), p = 0.033] and all-cause mortality [HR (95% CI):1.232 (1.041, 1.459), p = 0.015]. Conclusions Based on a representative sample of US adults, elevated serum T-ALP levels were found to be significantly associated with both reduced BMD and an increased risk of osteoporosis across all participants, as well as with a higher all-cause mortality in individuals with osteoporosis.

Summary Calcium intake is widely recommended, but its association with mortality remains unclear. This study indicated higher levels of calcium intake were associated with lower mortality in American adults. However, a nonlinear association between calcium intake and mortality suggested that excessive calcium intake beyond a certain threshold may increase mortality risk. Purpose The study aimed to investigate the association of total, dietary, or supplemental calcium intake with all-cause, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality in American adults. Methods This prospective cohort study used the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2005 to 2018. Participants were categorized into tertiles based on calcium intake. Risks of all-cause, cancer, or cardiovascular mortality and the dose–response relationship were estimated using weighted Cox proportional hazard regression and restricted cubic splines, with adjustments for demographic characteristics, comorbidities, laboratory parameters, and dietary data. Results In total, 6172 participants were included (median age: 61 years), and 869 had died (CVD:217, cancer:224) during a median follow-up of 81 months. After adjusting for confounders, higher total calcium(≥ 1660mg/d) [HR, 95%CI: 0.867 (0.865–0.869)], dietary calcium(≥ 1075mg/d) [HR, 95%CI: 0.711 (0.709–0.713)], and supplemental calcium (≥ 600mg/d) [HR, 95%CI: 0.786 (0.784–0.787)] intake groups were associated with lower all-cause mortality risk compared to the lowest intake group. Similar beneficial associations were found for cardiovascular, cancer mortality, and across subgroups of various ages, genders, races and body mass indexes. In the dose–response analysis, a 'J-shaped' nonlinear relationship was observed between calcium intake and the risk of all-cause, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality. Conclusions Higher levels of total, dietary, or supplemental calcium were associated with lower all-cause, cardiovascular, or cancer mortality. However, a nonlinear association between calcium intake and mortality suggested that excessive calcium intake beyond a certain threshold may increase mortality risk.

Introduction: Staphylococcus aureus infection has long been a serious concern in the medical field, with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) posing a considerable challenge to public health. Given the escalating bacterial resistance and the favorable biosafety and environmental properties of phages, the resurgence of phage therapy offers a promising alternative to antibiotics.Methods: In this study, we isolated and characterized a MRSA phage named StAP1 from a Chinese hospital. Phenotypic and molecular analyses revealed its broad-spectrum characteristics, genomic background, and potential application in MRSA infection treatment.Results: Morphological examination classified the phage as a member of the Herelleviridae phage family, displaying a typical hexagonal head and a slender fibrous tail. Genomic analysis unveiled a size of ~144,705 bp for the StAP1 genome, encompassing 215 open reading frames (ORFs). The one-step growth curve demonstrated a 20-min incubation period for the phage, with an optimal multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 0.1. Moreover, StAP1 exhibited stability across a wide range of temperatures and pH levels. Further investigation of its broad-spectrum characteristics confirmed its ability to effectively infect all staphylococcal cassette chromosomal mec (SCCmec) types found in MRSA strains, notably displaying a remarkable lysis rate of 76.7% against the prevalent ST239 strain in China. In vivo studies show cased significant efficacy of the StAP1 phage against MRSA infection.Discussion: Overall, StAP1 phage presents a broad infection spectrum and exhibits strong lytic effects on various MRSA strains, highlighting its tremendous potential as a powerful tool for MRSA infection treatment.

Background: A novel coronavirus pneumonia outbreak began in Wuhan, Hubei Province, in December 2019; the outbreak was caused by a novel coronavirus previously never observed in humans. China has imposed the strictest quarantine and closed management measures in history to control the spread of the disease. However, a high level of evidence to support the surgical management of potential trauma patients during the novel coronavirus outbreak is still lacking. To regulate the emergency treatment of trauma patients during the outbreak, we drafted this paper from a trauma surgeon perspective according to practical experience in Wuhan. Main body: The article illustrates the general principles for the triage and evaluation of trauma patients during the outbreak of COVID-19, indications for emergency surgery, and infection prevention and control for medical personnel, providing a practical algorithm for trauma care providers during the outbreak period. Conclusions: The measures of emergency trauma care that we have provided can protect the medical personnel involved in emergency care and ensure the timeliness of effective interventions during the outbreak of COVID-19.