Background::Dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) is purported to accurately distinguish uric acid stones from non-uric acid stones. However, whether DECT can accurately discriminate ammonium urate stones from uric acid stones remains unknown. Therefore, we aimed to explore whether they can be accurately identified by DECT and to develop a radiomics model to assist in distinguishing them.Methods::This research included two steps. For the first purpose to evaluate the accuracy of DECT in the diagnosis of uric acid stones, 178 urolithiasis patients who underwent preoperative DECT between September 2016 and December 2019 were enrolled. For model construction, 93, 40, and 109 eligible urolithiasis patients treated between February 2013 and October 2022 were assigned to the training, internal validation, and external validation sets, respectively. Radiomics features were extracted from non-contrast CT images, and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) algorithm was used to develop a radiomics signature. Then, a radiomics model incorporating the radiomics signature and clinical predictors was constructed. The performance of the model (discrimination, calibration, and clinical usefulness) was evaluated.Results::When patients with ammonium urate stones were included in the analysis, the accuracy of DECT in the diagnosis of uric acid stones was significantly decreased. Sixty-two percent of ammonium urate stones were mistakenly diagnosed as uric acid stones by DECT. A radiomics model incorporating the radiomics signature, urine pH value, and urine white blood cell count was constructed. The model achieved good calibration and discrimination {area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC; 95% confidence interval [CI]), 0.944 (0.899–0.989)}, which was internally and externally validated with AUCs of 0.895 (95% CI, 0.796–0.995) and 0.870 (95% CI, 0.769–0.972), respectively. Decision curve analysis revealed the clinical usefulness of the model.Conclusions::DECT cannot accurately differentiate ammonium urate stones from uric acid stones. Our proposed radiomics model can serve as a complementary diagnostic tool for distinguishing them in vivo.

Objective: To analyze the impact of persistent obesity on their lung function, so as to offer insights for implementing intervention measures to increase lung function in obese school age children. Methods: A total of 335 children from the Sheyang Mini Birth Cohort established in 2009 in Yancheng City, Jiangsu Province, who participated in the follow up at the ages of 7 years (2016) and 10 years (2019), were selected as the study participants. Physical measurements including height, weight, and lung function were recorded. According to the World Health Organization standard, that is, gender and age specific to correct the body mass index to calculate the body mass index Z score, was used to evaluate the obesity status of children at the age of 7 and 10. Children were divided into four groups, including sustained non obesity group, restored obesity group, newly classified obesity group, and persistent obesity group. Meanwhile, the lung function prediction equations recommended by the Global Lung Function Initiative were used to standardize the lung function indexes of children. Pulmonary function differences among these groups were examined, and the relationship between childhood obesity and pulmonary function was longitudinally analyzed using generalized estimating equations. Results: The prevalence of obesity were 9.0% and 16.1% at the age of 7 and 10 years, respectively. The proportion of both newly classified and persistent obesity group were 8.1%, respectively. The forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV 1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) were (1 269.90±202.70) and (1 415.70±230.00) mL, respectively, at the age of 7 years. FEV 1 and FVC at the age of 10 years were (1 440.80±403.20) and (1 555.60±517.60) mL, respectively. Cross sectional analysis at age 7 showed that forced expiratory flow at 75% vital capacity (FEF 75 ) ( β=-0.52, 95%CI =-0.96--0.07) and maximal mid expiratary flow (MMEF) ( β=-0.45, 95%CI =-0.89--0.00) were significantly lower in obese children compared to their non obese peers ( P < 0.05). Longitudinal analysis indicated that obese children had lower levels of lung pulmonary function, with a statistically significant difference in FEV 1 ( β=-0.44, 95%CI=-0.85--0.02, P <0.05). There was no significant difference among the various obesity groups ( P >0.05), while gender stratified results revealed significant reductions in FEV 1/FVC in newly classified obese girls at age 10 years ( β=-1.76, 95%CI =-3.13--0.38) and in MMEF in persistently obese girls at age 10 years ( β=-1.44, 95%CI = -2.79- -0.09) ( P <0.05). Conclusion Obesity may contribute to reduced lung function levels in school aged children, with newly classified and persistent obesity having more pronounced effects on lung function in girls.

Background Perfluorinated and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a large group of emerging pollutants, are ubiquitous in the ecological environment. Their multiple organ toxic effects on human body are reported. Understanding the exposure level of PFAS in cord serum and associated influencing factors can provide scientific evidence for studying maternal and newborn health effects and risk regulation. Objective To explore the exposure levels of PFAS in cord serum and potential impact factors. Methods This study was based on the maternal and infant database and the cord serum sample bank of the Sheyang Mini Birth Cohort Study (SMBCS) established in 2009. A self-designed questionnaire was used to collect information on sociodemographic characteristics, living environment, and lifestyle of mothers during pregnancy. A total of 1097 cord serum samples were measured utilizing ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-Q-Exactive Orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry. Multiple linear regression models were used to identify influencing factors related to PFAS exposure level in cord serum. Results A total of 38 types of PFAS were detected in the cord serum samples, including 20 perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCA), 14 perfluorosulfonic acids (PFSA), and 4 other types of PFAS. The detection rates of 14 PFAS compounds were above 50%. The detection rates of perfluoro-1-hexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS), perfluoro-1-octanesulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), and perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUdA) were in the range of 99.18%-100.00%. The median concentrations of PFOA and 6∶2 chlorinated polyfluorinated ether sulfonic acid (6∶2CI-PFESA) were higher than those of the other compounds, which were 3.76 µg·L⁻¹ and 2.61 µg·L⁻¹, respectively. The correlation coefficients among cord serum PFAS were in the wide range of 0.0911-0.8429 (P < 0.05). The associations between PFHxS and perfluoro-1-heptanesulfonic acid (PFHpS) (r=0.8429, P < 0.05), PFOS and PFHpS (r=0.7012, P < 0.05), and PFUdA and perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoA) (r=0.7875, P < 0.05) were positive. The proportions of PFCA and PFSA in the cord serum samples were 60.1% and 38.4%, respectively. PFOA and 6∶2 Cl-PFESA were the predominant compounds in the cord serum samples, whose proportions were 37.8% and 19.3%, respectively. The concentrations of specific types of cord serum PFAS had varied associations with the following demographic variables of pregnant women: age, parity, education level, gestational age, and occupation. The multiple linear regression analysis found that the concentrations of 8 PFAS (PFHxS, PFHpS, PFNA, PFOS, PFDA, PFUdA, PFDoA, and 6∶2 CI-PFESA) in umbilical cord serum were lower in pregnant women aged 25 years and older than in those under the age of 25 years; compared to pregnant women with education levels at or below junior middle school, those with education levels at or above high school had lower concentrations of perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA); the concentration of PFHpA in cord serum was negatively correlated with household annual income; multiparous women had higher concentrations of PFNA, PFUdA, and PFDoA than primiparous women; compared to mothers engaged in manual labor, the concentration of perfluoro-1-butanesulfonic acid (PFBS) in umbilical cord serum was lower in mothers engaged in mental labor, while the concentrations of PFBS and PFOA were lower and the concentrations of perfluorotridecanoic acid (PFTrDA) and 8∶2 chlorinated polyfluorinated ether sulfonic acid (8∶2CI-PFESA) were higher in mothers of other occupational types; the concentrations of umbilical cord serum PFOA, PFOS, PFUdA, and PFDoA were positively correlated with the gestational age of pregnant women, while N-methylperfluoro-1-octanesulfonamido acetic acid (N-MeFOSAA) was negatively correlated with the gestational age of pregnant women; PFTrDA was negatively correlated with the birth weight of newborns; compared with those with insufficient gestational weight gain, those with adequate gestational weight gain had lower PFDoA, while those with excess gestational weight gain had higher N-MeFOSAA. Conclusion PFAS compounds exposure is common in the mothers and infants in the study area. PFOA and 6∶2 CI-PFESA are the two main compounds in cord serum. Cord serum PFAS are associated with several demographic characteristics of the pregnant women. Future research needs to pay more attention to PFAS alternatives and other emerging contaminants.

Background Parabens, a widely used class of preservatives, are suspected to be potential obesogens as emerging endocrine disrupting chemicals with reproductive and developmental toxicity. Objective To analyze five urinary parabens (PBs) and estimate the associations of exposure to PBs with adiposity measures in 10-year-old school-age children. Methods A total of 471 school-age children aged 10 years from the Sheyang Mini Birth Cohort were enrolled in this study. A questionnaire survey was conducted to collect socio-demographic information, physical activity, and dietary intake. Weight, height, and waist circumference of children were measured, and age- and sex-adjusted body mass index (BMI-Z score) was calculated. Spot urine samples were collected during the follow-up visits. Urinary concentrations of five PBs including methyl-paraben (MeP), ethyl-paraben (EtP), propyl-paraben (PrP), butyl-paraben (BuP), and benzyl-paraben (BzP) were detected by gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). Generalized linear models (GLMs) and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) models were applied to estimate associations of individual/overall urinary PBs concentrations with BMI Z-score and waist circumference. Results The positive rates of selected five urinary PBs were in the range from 78.98% to 98.94%. The urinary PBs concentrations (geometric mean) were in the range of 0.31-5.43 μg·L⁻¹. The children's BMI Z-score and waist circumference (mean ± standard deviation) were (0.56±1.40) and (67.62±10.07) cm respectively. The GLMs results showed that the urinary BzP concentration was negatively associated with waist circumference (b=−0.08, 95%CI: −0.14, −0.02; P=0.01). In sex-stratified analysis, the urinary concentration of BzP was negatively associated with BMI-Z score (b=−0.59, 95%CI: −0.88, −0.30; P<0.001) and waist circumference (b=−0.80, 95%CI: −1.23, −0.37; P<0.001) in boys, but not in girls. The BKMR results also found significant negative correlations of urinary BzP concentrations with BMI-Z score and waist circumference, which were consistent with the GLM results. Conclusion The selected 10-year-old children are extensively exposed to PBs in the study area. Furthermore, childhood PBs exposure may have potential impacts on childhood adiposity measures with sex-specific effects.

Objective: To evaluate the status of dietary diversity and determinants among school age left behind children. Methods: A total of 501 children aged 9-10 years in Sheyang Mini Cohort Study were enrolled from Sheyang City in Jiangsu Province during 2019. A questionnaires survey was administrated to collect left behind and socioeconomic information. Twenty four hour dietary recall survey was conducted, dietary diversity score (DDS 10 and DDS) and food variety score (FVS) were computed according to Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Weight and height of children were measured and sex and age standardized body mass index was used to define obesity. Multivariable regression models were preformed to explore the determinants of dietary diversity in school age left behind children. Results: The proportion of left behind children was 40.9%. The mean value and standard deviation of three kinds of dietary diversity score (DDS 10 , DDS, FVS) in left behind children were (5.69±1.31)(6.55±1.44) and (13.48± 4.23 ), respectively. All of these were lower than that in non left behind children (DDS 10 :5.99±1.29; DDS:6.79±1.40; FVS:14.15±4.22). Significant difference in DDS 10 between left behind and non left behind children was observed ( P =0.01). The results of multivariable regression demonstrated that gender, passive smoking, family education level and family economic status were related to dietary diversity scores ( P <0.05). Conclusion Dietary diversity in school age left behind children was not optimistic and gender, passive smoking, parental education level, family economic status and left behind situation play a critical role in dietary diversity among these children.

Objective:To study the efficacy and drug-related adverse reactions of long-term appli-cation of biological anti-rheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) to patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), and provide reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment.Methods:We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of AS patients who were followed-up for more than 5 years in the Department of Rheumatology and Immunology of Peking University Shenzhen Hospital. The patients treated with bDMARDs alone or combined with traditional antirheumatic drugs were included as the treatment group, while those who did not receive biological or non-biological antirheumatic therapy were included as the control group. The data collected included clinical sym-ptoms, inflammatory biomarkers, imaging results, drug applications and drug-related adverse reactions, etc. The counting data were tested by χ2 test, the measurement data in normal distribution was tested by t test, and the measurement data that not normally distributed was tested by Mann-Whitney U test. Paired test was used for statistical processing before and after treatment. Results:We collected the data of 114 eligible patients, including 64 in the treatment group and 50 in the control group. There were no significant differences in baseline data between the 2 groups, including mean follow-up time, course of disease, age, sex ratio, HLA-B27 positive rate, morning stiffness duration, night pain, peripheral arthritis, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), and imaging. After 5 years, patients in the treatment group had shorter morning stiffness [(3±7) min vs (26±37) min, t=4.827, P<0.01], lower nighttime pain rates [(3/64, 4.8%) vs (29/50,58.0%), χ2=38.329, P<0.01], lower ESR level [(14±14) mm/1 h vs (20±18) mm/1 h, t=2.102, P=0.038], lower CRP level [(7±8) mg/L vs (14±19) mg/L, t=2.431, P=0.017], and lower progression rate of sacroiliac arthritis [(18/64, 28.1%) vs (35/50, 70.0%), χ2=19.786, P<0.01], than the control group. The main drug-related adverse reactions in the treatment groupincluded reversible leucopenia, elevated transaminase level, redness and swelling at the injection site. Conclusion:Biologics treatment for more than 3 consecutive years can effectively control the clinical symptoms of most AS patients, reduce inflammatory indicators and delay the imaging progression of the sacroiliac joint. Without treatment, the imaging progress of the sacroiliac joint in AS patients could be 70% after 5 years.

Objective: To study the correlation of lifestyle characteristics with thyroid nodules in a population-based sample of centenarians in Hainan. Methods: The study was based on China Hainan Centenarian Cohort Study (CHCCS) conducted in 18 cities and counties in Hainan province from 2014 to 2016. A group of multidisciplinary team interviewed and examined local centenarians with structured questionnaires and ultrasonography procedures. A total of 918 centenarians were analyzed after excluding those who refused ultrasonographic examinations or had relevant missing data. Thyroids of centenarians were examined by 3-year experienced sonographer, details on lifestyle characteristics and dietary habits were collected by standard procedure. Results: Of the 918 centenarians, 683 (74.4%) had thyroid nodules under the ultrasonography procedures. The prevalence of thyroid nodules in different group of areca nut consumption varied significantly (P<0.05). In multivariate logistic regression model, the results showed female and areca nut intake were independently associated with thyroid nodules in centenarians (P<0.05). Conclusions The modifiable variables including areca nut intake as well as non-modifiable such as gender are independent determinants of thyroid nodules in centenarians. Further studies are warranted to explore and verify these associations in populations with different ranges of age.

Purpose To prepare 68Ga-NOTA-SPIO as PET/MRI dual mode imaging probe with high sensitivity and resolution,and further evaluate its in vitro and partly in vivo biological properties.Materials and Methods The precursor SPIO-PEG2000-NOTA was prepared and characterized.The precursor was radiolabeled by using one step method to prepare 68Ga-NOTA-SPIO as dual mode imaging probe.The labeling rate of the probe was determined by rapid thin-layer chromatography.Besides,the in vitro stability and lipid water partition coefficient of the probe were evaluated,and its biodistribution in normal mice was also observed.Results The precursor SPIO-PEG2000-NOTA with uniform dispersion and uniform particle size was prepared,and the dual mode probe 68Ga-NOTA-SPIO was synthesized.The labeling rate reached 99％,and the lipid water partition coefficient (Log P) was (-2.60±0.13).The radiochemical purity of the probe was higher than 95％,as it was incubated in the phosphate buffer and fetal bovine serum within 2 hours.The probe was mainly distributed in the liver and spleen of mice,and its clearance velocity in blood was fast.Conclusion The double mode probe 68Ga-NOTA-SPIO synthesized by one step method has high labeling rate with no need of purification,which has good physic-chemical properties and biocompatibility.The probe can be used in the further research of PET/MRI dual modality imaging.

Objective To compare the efficacy of pressure-controlled ventilation and volume-controlled ventilation in children undergoing laparoscopic surgery.Methods Thirty ASA Ⅰ or Ⅱ children of both sexes,aged 12-36 months,weighing 9-15 kg,scheduled for laparoscopic surgery,were randomly divided into two groups (n =15 each):pressure-controlled ventilation group (group P) and volume-controlled ventilation group (group Ⅴ).After anesthesia was induced with propofol 2-4 mg/kg,vecuronium 0.1 mg/kg and fentanyl 2 μg/kg,the children received endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation.The maximum inspiratory pressure was adjusted to make the tidal volume (VT) achieve 12 ml/kg in group P and the VT was set at 12 ml/kg in group V.The end-tidal pressure of carbon dioxide (PET CO2) was controlled at 35-45 mm Hg.The mean arterial blood pressure (MAP),heart rate (HR),arterial carbpn dioxide tension (PaCO2),PETCO2,minute ventilation and peak airway pressure were recorded immediately after intubation (T0),immediately before skin incision (T1),after 30 minutes of pneumoperitoneum (T2) and 15 minutes after the end of pneumoperitoneum (T3).Arterial blood samples were taken at the same time points mentioned above for blood gas analysis.Dynamic lung compliance and the ratio of the physiological dead space to the tidal volume were calculated.Results Compared with group Ⅴ,PaCO2 and PET CO2 were significantly decreased and dynamic lung compliance was significantly increased at T1-2,and minute ventilation and peak airway pressure were significantly decreased at T0-3 in group P (P ＜ 0.01).There was no significant difference in MAP,HR and the ratio of the physiological dead space to the tidal volume between the two groups (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion Compared with volume-controlled ventilation,pressure-controlled ventilation can better improve the ventilatory efficacy,is more beneficial to gas exchange and reduces the influence of pneumoperitoneum on respiratory function in children undergoing laparoscopic surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of denervation on myofiber morphology of the adductor and the abductor in patients with recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) paralysis and to provide experimental evidence for the clinical feasibility of RLN repair. METHOD: Adductor muscles were acquired from the lateral cricoarytenoid muscle (LCAM) and abductor muscles from the posterior cricoarytenoid muscle(PCAM). Normal human PCAM and LCAM are treated as control group (n = 7). Thirty-eight cases of PCAM with damaged RLN were divided into five groups according to the duration of their RLN damage: 0.5-1 year (7 cases), > 1-2 years (10 cases), > 2-3 years (8 cases), > 3-6 years (8 cases) and > 6 years (5 cases); twenty-nine cases of LCAM were also divided into five groups: 0.5-1 year (7 cases), > 1-2 years (6 cases); > 2-3 years (6 cases), > 3-6 years (6 cases) and > 6 years group(4 cases). They were all stained with HE and Masson three-color staining, the fiber cross-sectional area of muscle tissue and collagen connective tissue were quantitative analyzed. The changes of myofiber morphology of adductor and abductor muscles after the loss of the RLN were analyzed with image analysis system. RESULT: The transverse areas of myofibers gradually decreased and those of collagen fibers gradually increased with the prolongation of denervation. (1) Difference between the denervated groups of LCAM of 0.5-1 year, > 1-2 years and > 2-3 years groups were not significant (P > 0.05). Fiber cross-sectional area of > 3-6 years group decreased most obviously with significantly difference compared with > 2-3 years group (P < 0.05); (2) There were obvious difference between the control group, 0.5-1 year group, > 1-2 years group, > 2-3 years group and > 3-6 years of PCAM(P < 0.05); (3) There was no significant difference between the group of > 3-6 years and > 6 years of two kinds of laryngeal intrinsic muscle (P > 0.05); (4) Fiber cross-sectional area of each group of the LCAM after 1 year denervation were significantly greater than that of the PCAM under same conditions (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION The influence of denervation on myofiber morphology following denervation is different between the abductor and adductor owing to the different fiber type composition and functional properties. The rate of muscle atrophy of the adductor is slower than that of the abductor. To restore the structure and function of denervated laryngeal muscles better, the recurrent laryngeal nerve injury repair surgery for PCA muscle function recovery should be carried out within 1 year after denervation while the surgery for LCA muscle function recovery should be carried out within 3 years after denervation.
Case-Control Studies ; Denervation ; Humans ; Laryngeal Muscles ; innervation ; pathology ; Myofibrils ; pathology ; Neurosurgical Procedures ; Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve ; pathology ; Staining and Labeling ; Vocal Cord Paralysis ; pathology ; surgery