Objective:To explore the role of metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) in the diagnosis of pathogens in primary infectious diseases of the spine (IDS) and to reveal its pathogen spectrum.Methods:This is a retrospective multi-center case series study. Clinical data of 380 patients with primary IDS who were treated at four medical centers in China from December 2019 to April 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 82 cases were from the Department of Spine Surgery at the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, 129 cases were from the Orthopedics Section Ⅱ (Bone Infection), Public Health Clinical Center Affiliated to Shandong University, 112 cases were from the Department of Spine Surgery, Fuzhou Second General Hospital, and 57 cases were from the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Shanghai Sixth People′s Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine. There were 238 males and 242 females, with an age of (61.4±13.1) years (range: 10 to 91 years). Specimens from the site of spinal infection were obtained for pathogen culture, pathological examination, and mNGS detection preoperatively or intraoperatively in all patients. The number, types, and positive rates of pathogens detected by the two methods were analyzed and compared using the Chi-square test.Results:Among the 380 patients, 320 had confirmed pathogenic bacteria, with the highest proportion being pyogenic bacterial infections, accounting for 76.9% (246/320). The most common pathogen was Staphylococcus aureus, accounting for 22.8% (73/320). Brucella accounted for 13.8% (44/320); Mycobacterium tuberculosis accounted for 6.3% (20/320). Fungal infections accounted for 3.4% (11/320), mainly Aspergillus and Candida. In addition, Mycoplasma was detected in 3 cases (0.9%) and Benacox body in 4 cases (1.2%). The pathogen spectrum constructed by mNGS covered 46 types of pathogens, higher than the 22 types detected by traditional methods. The positive rate of mNGS was 80.8% (308/381), significantly higher than the 27.9% (106/381) of traditional methods ( χ2=182.53, P<0.01). Conclusions:mNGS improves the positive rate of pathogen diagnosis in IDS, detecting a broader spectrum of pathogens, and serves as a valuable complement to traditional diagnostic methods. Combining both methods in the diagnosis of IDS can maximize detection rates, providing robust evidence for precise anti-infective treatment.

Objective:To explore the role of metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) in the diagnosis of pathogens in primary infectious diseases of the spine (IDS) and to reveal its pathogen spectrum.Methods:This is a retrospective multi-center case series study. Clinical data of 380 patients with primary IDS who were treated at four medical centers in China from December 2019 to April 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 82 cases were from the Department of Spine Surgery at the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, 129 cases were from the Orthopedics Section Ⅱ (Bone Infection), Public Health Clinical Center Affiliated to Shandong University, 112 cases were from the Department of Spine Surgery, Fuzhou Second General Hospital, and 57 cases were from the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Shanghai Sixth People′s Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine. There were 238 males and 242 females, with an age of (61.4±13.1) years (range: 10 to 91 years). Specimens from the site of spinal infection were obtained for pathogen culture, pathological examination, and mNGS detection preoperatively or intraoperatively in all patients. The number, types, and positive rates of pathogens detected by the two methods were analyzed and compared using the Chi-square test.Results:Among the 380 patients, 320 had confirmed pathogenic bacteria, with the highest proportion being pyogenic bacterial infections, accounting for 76.9% (246/320). The most common pathogen was Staphylococcus aureus, accounting for 22.8% (73/320). Brucella accounted for 13.8% (44/320); Mycobacterium tuberculosis accounted for 6.3% (20/320). Fungal infections accounted for 3.4% (11/320), mainly Aspergillus and Candida. In addition, Mycoplasma was detected in 3 cases (0.9%) and Benacox body in 4 cases (1.2%). The pathogen spectrum constructed by mNGS covered 46 types of pathogens, higher than the 22 types detected by traditional methods. The positive rate of mNGS was 80.8% (308/381), significantly higher than the 27.9% (106/381) of traditional methods ( χ2=182.53, P<0.01). Conclusions:mNGS improves the positive rate of pathogen diagnosis in IDS, detecting a broader spectrum of pathogens, and serves as a valuable complement to traditional diagnostic methods. Combining both methods in the diagnosis of IDS can maximize detection rates, providing robust evidence for precise anti-infective treatment.

Objective:To investigate the Chinese anesthesiologist′s proficiency, training experience and needs of flexible bronchoscope-guided awake flexible bronchoscopy intubation (AFBI) using a questionnaire method.Methods:The cluster sampling was used, and self-designed questionnaires that addressed 54 questions in 5 categories were distributed through WeChat and online platforms. The survey took one month, and the answers were automatically recorded by the WeChat server.Results:A total of 1 250 anesthesiologists participated in the survey in 30 provinces of China, 9 of them were not anesthesiologists, and 1 241 (99.28%) questionnaires were validated. In the valid questionnaires, 52.70% (654) of the anesthesiologists were from tertiary hospitals, and 74.78% (928) of the anesthesiologists were attending physicians or above, only 7.57% (94) of the anesthesiologists had sufficient confidence in AFBI. Twenty-five point two two percent (313) of the anesthesiologists preferred fiberoptic intubation as the first tool when dealing with the anticipated difficult airway. Forty-eight point one one percent (597) of the anesthesiologists had implemented AFBI. Among them, 80.74% (482) had experienced unsuccessful AFBI practices. Eight hundred and ninety-four anesthesiologists had received AFBI training, and the most common AFBI training strategy was theoretical lectures. In addition, the degree of satisfaction regarding the theoretical lectures quality, technical training, clinical practice relativity and non-technical skills training was 21.47% (192), 14.32% (128), 12.3% (110) and 17.90% (160), respectively. The degree of satisfaction with all the 4 training elements mentioned above was 7.27% (65).Conclusions:The awareness and practice of Chinese anesthesiologists in terms of clinical application of AFBI to treat difficult airways need to be strengthened at present, and the lack of high-quality AFBI training may be the key.

In animal experiments, ischemic stroke is usually induced through middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), and quality assessment of this procedure is crucial. However, an accurate assessment method based on 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) is still lacking. The difficulty lies in the inconsistent preprocessing pipeline, biased intensity normalization, or unclear spatiotemporal uptake of FDG. Here, we propose an image feature-based protocol to assess the quality of the procedure using a 3D scale-invariant feature transform and support vector machine. This feature-based protocol provides a convenient, accurate, and reliable tool to assess the quality of the MCAO procedure in FDG PET studies. Compared with existing approaches, the proposed protocol is fully quantitative, objective, automatic, and bypasses the intensity normalization step. An online interface was constructed to check images and obtain assessment results.
Animals ; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 ; Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery/diagnostic imaging* ; Positron-Emission Tomography/methods*

Objective:To analysis and compare the burden of ischemic heart disease (IHD) attributable to metabolic risks in population aged 25 years and older in 2011 and 2017 in Nanjing.Methods:The data were extracted from the Nanjing Chronic Disease and Risk Factor Surveillance (2011 and 2017), the Nanjing Mortality Surveillance (2011 and 2017) and the 2016 Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD). Using GBD′s Comparative Risk Assessment Theory, the attribution burden was estimated by comparing the observed health outcomes with the health outcomes that may be observed when exposed to counterfactual levels. Based on population attributable fractions, the deaths and life expectancy losses of ischemic heart disease due to high systolic blood pressure (SBP), high fasting plasma glucose (FPG), high total cholesterol (TC), high body mass index (BMI) and combination of four risks were estimated in 2011 and 2017. The average population structure of the world′s population from 2000 to 2025 wasusedas the standard population for standardization.Results:The number of IHD deaths attributable to four metabolic risks combination was 3 204, andwhich resulted in a loss of life expectancy of 0.90 years in 2017. High SBP appeared as the major cause of IHD deaths and Years of Life Lost (YLL). In 2017, the world standardized mortality rate (25.60×10 －5, 19.94×10 －5 and 6.83×10 －5) and the standardized YLL rate (389.31×10 －5, 335.16×10 －5, 134.60×10 －5) of the population due to high systolic blood pressure, high total cholesterol and high body mass index were significantly lower than those in 2011 (31.75×10 －5, 26.74×10 －5, 7.45×10 －5 and 469.07×10 －5, 463.70×10 －5, 142.66×10 －5); the world standardized rate and the standardized YLL rate due to high blood sugar (11.90×10 －5 and 174.61×10 －5) were significantly higher than those in 2011 (9.67×10 －5 and 150.61×10 －5) (all P<0.05). Males appeared to have higher standardized rate of YLL of IHD deaths than females, due to having metabolism risks( P<0.05). Conclusion:Metabolic exposures especially high SBP are the important risk factors whichleadto IHD deaths in Nanjing.

Objective: To describe the MICM (morphology, immunology, cytogenetics and molecular biology) characteristics of a case of acute myelomonocytic leukemia M 4C . Methods: The medical history data of the case of M 4C admitted to our hospital was reviewed. The results of bone marrow cell morphology, cytochemical stains, bone marrow biopsy, immunophenotype, cytogenetics, molecular test and NGS (next-generation sequencing) of the case were analyzed. Results: The bone marrow smear showed markedly active proliferation of bone marrow cells in which the myelomonocytic cells accounted for 85.6%. Cytochemical stains showed peroxidase (POX) stain partially and weakly positive; specific esterase AS-DCE partially positive; non-specific esterase α-NBE partially positive and smothered by sodium fluoride; non-specific esterase AS-DAE partially positive and smothered by sodium fluoride. Bone marrow biopsy showed hyperproliferative cells and diffused hyperplasia of blasts. Immunophenotype analysis showed that the abnormal cell population was positive for CD11B, CD64, CD56, cMPO, CD33, CD41, CD61, CD38 and CD58, but negative for CD13, CD34, CD117, CD7, CD123, HLA-DR, CD10, CD19, CD20, CD2, CD14, CD235, CD15, CD303, CD304, CD25, cCD79a, cCD3, cCD22, CD1a and TDT. Cytogenetic analysis showed 47, XY, t(9;11) (p22;q23),+mar. The molecular test for leukemia showed MLLT3/KMT2A gene rearrangement. NGS showed NRAS and TET2 mutation. The case was finally diagnosed as AML (acute myelomonocytic leukemia) M 4C with t(9;11)(p22;q23), MLLT3-KMT2A. Conclusion Leukemia M 4C may show the characteristics of both granulocytes and monocytes with complex morphological features. The combined examination of MICM should be necessary for the diagnosis of M 4C with great significance.

BACKGROUND:StageIorIIKummel’s diseaseisusualy suggested to be treated with percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) orpercutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP). Stage IIIKummel’s diseasewith neurologic deficit is treated with open decompression, cement-augmented combined with internalfixation. However, surgical options for stage IIIKummel’s diseasewithdural saccompression butwithnonervous symptoms arein disputeand rarely reported. OBJECTIVE:To investigatethesurgical options of Kummel’s disease with vertebral posterior walcolapse. METHODS:Fourteen patients with Kummel’s disease with vertebral posterior wal colapse wereenroled as experimental groupandtreated with PVP or PKP based on the degree of postural reduction.Another28 patients with osteoporotic vertebral fracture as control group were treated with PKP. Thenalpatients were folowed up to observe vertebralheight, Cobb angle, visual analog scale and the Oswestry disability index. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:After folowed up for 10 to 42 months, therestoredvertebralheight, Cobb angle, visual analog scale and Oswestry disability index were significantly improved inthetwo groups (P<0.05). Thepostoperativevertebralheight intheexperimental group was significantly higher than thatinthe control group(P< 0.05).Butno significant differencesin Cobb angle, visual analog scalescoresand Oswestry disability indexwere found between thetwo groups after operation (P> 0.05). These data suggest that based on the degree of postural reduction, individualizedPVP or PKP for Kummel’s disease with vertebral posterior wal colapsecanattain satisfactoryoutcomes.

Objective To investigate the correlation of incident pneumonia and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D[25(OH)D] levels in elderly patients with fragility hip fractures.Methods 132 patients with fragility hip fractures were divided into the pneumonia group [n=43,14 males and 29 females,aged 63-97 years,a mean age of (83.8±7.1) years] and the non-pneumonia group [n=89,28 males and 61 females,aged 60-93 years,a mean age of (77.1±8.1) years].Fasting venous blood samples were taken on the second day after admission.Serum 25 (OH)D levels were measured by radioimmunoassay.Results Vitamin D deficiency was found in 90.7％ of the patients in the pneumonia group,52.8％ in the non-pneumonia group (x2=24.953,P＜0.05).The age and smoking rate were higher in the pneumonia group than in the non-pneumonia group (t=4.661,P＜ 0.05;x2 =4.459,P=0.035).Logistic regression analysis showed that serum 25(OH)D levels,age and smoking were independent impact factors for pneumonia.When serum 25(OH)D levels were less than or equal to 20 g/L,the incidence of pneumonia was increased and the risk of pneumonia was 8.66 times higher than that for patients with normal 25 (OH)D levels.Conclusions The risk of pneumonia in patients with brittle hip fractures is correlated with age,smoking and the serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level,with the latter as a major risk factor.Patients with brittle hip fractures should be supplemented with vitamin D as early as possible in order to reduce the risk of incident of pneumonia.

Objective: To observe the effect of balancing yin-yang needling manipulation on post-stroke upper limb spasticity and changes of electromyography (EMG) after treatment.
Methods: A total of 60 eligible cases were randomly allocated into an observation group and a control group, 30 in each group. Based on routine medication, cases in the control group were treated with conventional needling manipulation, whereas cases in the observation group were treated with balancing yin-yang manipulation. After the courses of treatment were completed, the therapeutic efficacies were evaluated using modified Ashworth scale and clinical spasticity index (CSI), coupled with the integrated electromyography (IEMG) and root mean square (RMS) value of biceps in passive flexion of the elbow joint during isokinetic testing recorded with the surface EMG.
Results: The total effective rate in the observation group was 86.7%, versus 53.3% in the control group, showing a statistical significance (P < 0.05). After treatment, there was between-group statistical significance in severity of elbow spasticity (P<0.05); there were intra-group (P<0.01, P<0.05) and inter-group (P<0.05) statistical significances in CSI index;and there were intra-group (P<0.01, P<0.05) and inter-group (P<0.01, P<0.05) statistical significances in IEMG and RMS values.
Conclusion:Balancing yin-yang and conventional needling manipulations can both improve upper limb spasm and reduce CSI as well as IEMG and RMS values in stroke patients;however, balancing yin-yang manipulation is better than conventional manipulation in clinical effect.

Objective To observe the mortality of fragile hip fractures and evaluate the death-associated risk factors.Methods 100 men and 186 women aged 50 to 97 (mean,77.09± 10.65) years old who had fragile hip fracture over 50 years old from 2010 to 2012 were followed up,and the clinical data were retrospectively analyzed.Three months,one year and the total mortality of following time were calculated.Mortality-related risk factors were evaluated including age,gender,and surgery,duration from injury to operation,pulmonary infection,number and kind of complications.Results The 286 patients were followed up between 6 months and 42 months,with 21.42±9.88 months in average.The three month mortality was 7.69％,the patients who were followed up over one year were 231 cases,the one year mortality was 16.02％,and the total mortality of following time was 17.48％.The mortality was associated with age,gender,surgery,duration from injury to operation,number of complications,pre-injury cardiovascular disease and respiratory system diseases,and pulmonary infection.A Binary Logistic Regression analysis revealed that the independent risk factors affecting the mortality included age (OR=5.385,P=0.003),surgery (OR=21.217,P=0.000),number of complications (OR=9.038,P=0.000),pre-injury cardiovascular disease (OR=3.201,P=0.041).Conclusion The early mortality of fragile hip fractures was high and was associated with many risk factors.Age,surgery,number of complications and pre-injury cardiovascular disease were the independent risk factors affecting the mortality of fragile hip fractures.The positive treatment with complications,early surgery in condition allowed,can lower the early mortality.