Objective:To investigate the accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) cine sequences in determining the range of tumor motion in radiotherapy, providing a basis for the precise delineation of the target volume in motion for radiation therapy.Methods:A modified chest motion phantom was placed in a MRI scanner, and a water-filled sphere was used to simulate a tumor. True fast imaging with steady precession (TrueFISP) MRI cine sequences from Siemens were used to capture the two-dimensional motion images of the simulated tumor. The phantom experiments were divided into three modes: head-foot motion mode, rotation motion mode, and actual respiratory waveform mode. In the head-foot motion mode, respiratory motion period (3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 s), amplitude (5, 10 and 15 mm), and respiratory waveform of the simulated tumor (sin and cos4) were set, resulting in a total of 36 motion combinations. In the rotation motion mode, a cos4 waveform was used for respiration, with respiratory periods of 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 s, head-foot motion set amplitudes of 5, 10 and 15 mm, and anterior-posterior (AP) and left-right (LR) motion set amplitudes in three combinations ([2.5, 2.5] mm, [2.5, 5.0] mm, [5.0, 5.0] mm), resulting in a total of 54 motion combinations. In the actual respiratory waveform mode, respiratory waveforms of 5 randomly selected patients from Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University were obtained. Under each motion combination, TrueFISP cine images (30 frames, with an acquisition time of 11 s per frame) were obtained. The code was used to automatically identify the two-dimensional coordinates of the center of the simulated tumor in each image, and sin and cos4 functions were separately employed to fit the tumor position in the motion direction, thereby obtaining the fitted motion period and amplitude. The difference between the maximum and minimum values of the tumor's center coordinates in the head-to-foot direction is taken as the range of movement, referred to as the calculated amplitude. For the actual respiratory waveform, the distance between the measured maximum and minimum positions is used to calculate the amplitude.Results:In the head-foot motion mode, the fitted amplitudes of both sin and cos4 waveforms deviated from the set amplitudes by 0-0.51 mm, with relative deviations of 0%-4.2%. The deviation range between the calculated amplitudes and the set amplitudes of the two waveforms were 0.08-0.94 mm, with relative deviations of 1.1%-6.3%. In the rotation motion mode, the fitted amplitudes deviated from the set amplitudes by 0-0.61 mm, with relative deviations of 0%-6.2%. And the deviation range between the calculated amplitudes and the set amplitudes were 0.16-0.94 mm, with relative deviations of 0%-6.3%. In the actual respiratory waveform motion mode, the deviation range between the calculated amplitudes and the set amplitudes were 0.10-0.48 mm, with relative deviations of 2.2%-8.6%.Conclusion:TrueFISP cine sequences show minimal deviations in determining the range of tumor head-foot motion and effectively captures the tumor's movement state, thereby providing important support for the precise definition of the tumor movement target area during radiotherapy .

Objective: To analyze the clinical epidemiological characteristics including composition of pathogens , clinical characteristics, and disease prognosis acute bacterial meningitis (ABM) in Chinese children. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical and laboratory data of 1 610 children <15 years of age with ABM in 33 tertiary hospitals in China from January 2019 to December 2020. Patients were divided into different groups according to age,<28 days group, 28 days to <3 months group, 3 months to <1 year group, 1-<5 years of age group, 5-<15 years of age group; etiology confirmed group and clinically diagnosed group according to etiology diagnosis. Non-numeric variables were analyzed with the Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test, while non-normal distrituction numeric variables were compared with nonparametric test. Results: Among 1 610 children with ABM, 955 were male and 650 were female (5 cases were not provided with gender information), and the age of onset was 1.5 (0.5, 5.5) months. There were 588 cases age from <28 days, 462 cases age from 28 days to <3 months, 302 cases age from 3 months to <1 year of age group, 156 cases in the 1-<5 years of age and 101 cases in the 5-<15 years of age. The detection rates were 38.8% (95/245) and 31.5% (70/222) of Escherichia coli and 27.8% (68/245) and 35.1% (78/222) of Streptococcus agalactiae in infants younger than 28 days of age and 28 days to 3 months of age; the detection rates of Streptococcus pneumonia, Escherichia coli, and Streptococcus agalactiae were 34.3% (61/178), 14.0% (25/178) and 13.5% (24/178) in the 3 months of age to <1 year of age group; the dominant pathogens were Streptococcus pneumoniae and the detection rate were 67.9% (74/109) and 44.4% (16/36) in the 1-<5 years of age and 5-<15 years of age . There were 9.7% (19/195) strains of Escherichia coli producing ultra-broad-spectrum β-lactamases. The positive rates of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture and blood culture were 32.2% (515/1 598) and 25.0% (400/1 598), while 38.2% (126/330)and 25.3% (21/83) in CSF metagenomics next generation sequencing and Streptococcus pneumoniae antigen detection. There were 4.3% (32/790) cases of which CSF white blood cell counts were normal in etiology confirmed group. Among 1 610 children with ABM, main intracranial imaging complications were subdural effusion and (or) empyema in 349 cases (21.7%), hydrocephalus in 233 cases (14.5%), brain abscess in 178 cases (11.1%), and other cerebrovascular diseases, including encephalomalacia, cerebral infarction, and encephalatrophy, in 174 cases (10.8%). Among the 166 cases (10.3%) with unfavorable outcome, 32 cases (2.0%) died among whom 24 cases died before 1 year of age, and 37 cases (2.3%) had recurrence among whom 25 cases had recurrence within 3 weeks. The incidences of subdural effusion and (or) empyema, brain abscess and ependymitis in the etiology confirmed group were significantly higher than those in the clinically diagnosed group (26.2% (207/790) vs. 17.3% (142/820), 13.0% (103/790) vs. 9.1% (75/820), 4.6% (36/790) vs. 2.7% (22/820), χ²=18.71, 6.20, 4.07, all P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in the unfavorable outcomes, mortility, and recurrence between these 2 groups (all P>0.05). Conclusions: The onset age of ABM in children is usually within 1 year of age, especially <3 months. The common pathogens in infants <3 months of age are Escherichia coli and Streptococcus agalactiae, and the dominant pathogen in infant ≥3 months is Streptococcus pneumoniae. Subdural effusion and (or) empyema and hydrocephalus are common complications. ABM should not be excluded even if CSF white blood cell counts is within normal range. Standardized bacteriological examination should be paid more attention to increase the pathogenic detection rate. Non-culture CSF detection methods may facilitate the pathogenic diagnosis.
Adolescent ; Brain Abscess ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Escherichia coli ; Female ; Humans ; Hydrocephalus ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Meningitis, Bacterial/epidemiology* ; Retrospective Studies ; Streptococcus agalactiae ; Streptococcus pneumoniae ; Subdural Effusion ; beta-Lactamases

Pneumoconiosis, an interstitial lung disease that occurs from breathing in certain kinds of damaging dust particles, is a major occupational disease in China. Patients diagnosed with occupational pneumoconiosis can avail of free medical treatment, whereas patients without a diagnosis of occupational diseases cannot not claim free medical treatment in most provinces from the government before 2019. This study aimed to analyze the priority of medical facility selection and its influencing factors among patients with pneumoconiosis. A total of 1,037 patients with pneumoconiosis from nine provinces in China were investigated. The health service institutions most frequently selected by the patients were county-level hospitals (37.5%). The main reason for the choice was these hospitals' close distance to the patients' homes (47.3%). The factors for the choice of health care institutions were living in the eastern region (
Adult ; Aged ; China ; Female ; Hospitals ; Humans ; Insurance Coverage ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Patient Acceptance of Health Care/statistics & numerical data* ; Pneumoconiosis/therapy* ; Rural Population ; Silicosis ; Smoking

Betacoronavirus ; China ; epidemiology ; Coronavirus Infections ; prevention & control ; Disease Outbreaks ; Emergencies ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Internet ; Pandemics ; prevention & control ; Pneumonia, Viral ; prevention & control

Indigenous knowledge and traditional culture for sustainable use of native plants in Juenang cultural region of Rangtang county, Aba Zang and Qiang Prefecture of Sichuan province, have been characterized in this paper followed the principles and methods of ethnobotany. The results indicate that 38 species from 27 families(including 6 species of fungi) are ethnobotanically used commonly in this area. Of 38 species of the native plants, 13 species from 12 families are collected for eatables and vegetables, 12 families and 16 species of indigenous plants for medicinal and edible use, 4 species from 4 families for decoration, 4 species from 4 families used for building materials or firewood, and 1 species from 1 families used for religious folklore. Under the influence of Juenang culture and Tibetan culture, indigenous knowledge such as instinctive reverence and gratitude for nature, protection ecological environment and habitats, and moderate use of natural resources(especially wild bioresource), have been gotten passed on from generation to generation in Juenang culture region of Rangtang county, which is of great significance to the protection of local bioresources and environment, including ethnic medicinal plants, and also to provide practical guidance for biodiversity conservation and ecological restoration in those alpine ecological vulnerable areas.
Biodiversity ; China ; Conservation of Natural Resources ; Ethnobotany ; Fungi/classification* ; Humans ; Knowledge ; Phytotherapy ; Plants, Medicinal/classification*

OBJECTIVETo investigate the significance of flexible bronchoscopy in children with respiratory diseases.

METHODSA retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of 80 children who were hospitalized due to respiratory diseases (including severe pneumonia, Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia with atelectasis/lung consolidation/local emphysema, protracted pneumonia, coughing and wheezing of unknown cause, chronic cough of unknown cause, and laryngeal stridor) and who underwent flexible bronchoscopy/alveolar lavage.

RESULTSBronchoscopy found that all the 80 children had endobronchial inflammation, among whom 28 children had severe airway obstruction by secretion. Twenty-four children had congenital airway dysplasia besides endobronchial inflammation, and three children had bronchial foreign bodies. In the children with coughing and wheezing of unknown cause and laryngeal stridor, some had congenital airway dysplasia or bronchial foreign bodies. Among the 27 children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia, 26 had severe airway obstruction/embolization by secretion; 25 children (93%) underwent chest imaging again at 2 weeks after alveolar lavage, and the results showed complete or partial lung recruitment. Among the 80 children who underwent bronchoscopy, 3 had severe hypoxemia during surgery, 1 had epistaxis, 1 had minor bleeding during alveolar lavage, 3 had transient bronchospasm, and 5 had postoperative fever; these children were all improved after symptomatic treatment.

CONCLUSIONSFlexible bronchoscopy is safe and reliable in children with respiratory diseases. Early alveolar lavage under a flexible bronchoscope is recommended for children with severe/refractory Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia to improve prognosis. Flexible bronchoscopy is recommended for children with recurrent coughing and wheezing and persistent laryngeal stridor, in order to directly observe the throat and airway under an endoscope.

Bronchoscopy ; adverse effects ; methods ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Cough ; diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Lung Diseases ; diagnosis ; Male ; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma ; diagnosis ; Respiratory Sounds ; diagnosis ; Retrospective Studies

Objective: To understand the associations between overweight-obesity and puberty timing in children with different genders. Methods: The girls in grade 2, 3, 7, 8 and boys in grade 3, 4, 7, 8 were recruited from primary and middle schools in North new area of Shenyang, Yanqing district of Beijing, Erqi district of Zhengzhou and Jiulongpo district of Chongqing by purposive sampling method between October and December 2014, respectively. The information of demographic characteristics of the respondents were collected and the pubertal development status was evaluated by Pubertal Development Scale (PDS). A total of 6 701 students were recruited; 6 137 out of which were valid with complete questionnaires. The associations between overweight-obesity and puberty timing were estimated by multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: The prevalence of overweight-obesity in primary schools were 34.8% (522/1 499) among boys and 24.2% (341/1 409) among girls, respectively. The prevalence of overweight-obesity in middle schools were 31.3% (591/1 658) among boys and 21.8% (342/1 571) among girls, respectively. The prevalence of premature puberty in primary schools were 15.0% (225/1 499) among boys and 14.2% (200/1 409) among girls, respectively. The prevalence of delayed puberty in middle schools were 14.3% (237/1 658) among boys and 14.9% (234/1 571) among girls, respectively. After adjusting the effects of region, age, one-child, family income and the parents' educational levels, multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that overweight-obesity had significantly positive association with premature puberty (OR=2.16, 95%CI: 1.56-2.99) among girls in primary schools, and significantly negative association with delayed puberty (OR=0.54, 95%CI: 0.36-0.80) among girls in middle schools when compared with students with normal weights, both P values were <0.05. There was no significant associations among boys in primary and middle schools between overweight-obesity and puberty timing, and the corresponding OR(95%CI) were 1.08(0.80-1.45) and 0.93(0.69-1.27) respectively, both P values >0.05. Conclusion There was significantly positive association between overweight-obesity and premature puberty among girls, and significantly negative association with delayed puberty among girls in middle schools; but the association was not found among boys.

Objective To understand the developmental effects induced by CdSe /ZnS quantum dots(QDs)on zebrafish embryos.Methods Zebrafish embryos were exposed to 0,0.5,1,2,4,8 and 16 nmol/L of CdSe /ZnS QDs,and the typical toxicological indexes were recorded at five time points respectively (24 hours post fertilization (hpf),48 hpf, 72 hpf,96 hpf,120 hpf).Results The results showed that the median lethal concentration (LC50 )for zebrafish embryos after 120 hpf was 21.38 nmol/L(95% CI =17.21 -26.57).The frequency of spontaneous movement in 60 seconds after 24 hpf,the frequency of heart beat in 60 seconds after 48 hpf,the hatching rate and the mortality rate were obviously affected by CdSe /ZnS QDs.Several abnormalities and toxic symptoms caused by CdSe /ZnS QDs at 8 nmol/L and 16 nmol/L were observed including pericardial edema,liver atrophy,non -depleted yolk,intestinal abnormal development and muscle degeneration after 120 hpf.Conclusion High level of CdSe /ZnS QDs (more than 8 nmol/L)could induce toxic effects on zebrafish embryonic development.

BACKGROUND:Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells are gaining widespread interest in the Achil es tendon tissue engineering and regeneration, and an enabling environment (oxygen concentration) for cellinduction and differentiation is particularly necessary.
OBJECTIVE:To co-culture adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells with primary tenocytes in standard culture condition (20%O 2 tension) and in an atmosphere of reduced oxygen (2%O 2 tension) in order to determine whether the two conditions differ in their effect on tenogenic differentiation.
METHODS:Tenocytes were isolated via serial expansion in culture from several Sprague-Dawley rats’ Achil es tendons. Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells were purchased. After one passage, adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells were indirectly co-cultured with tenocytes in standard culture condition (20%O 2 tension) and in an atmosphere of reduced oxygen (2%O 2 tension). Col agen 1, col agen 3, Tenomodulin, Thrombospondin-4, Scleraxis levels were compared for each culture condition at 7, 14 and 21 days fol owing co-culturing. Immunofluorescence staining was performed to evaluate production of col agen 1 and Thrombospondin-4.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Fol owing indirect co-culturing, hypoxic differentiated adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells expressed higher levels of tendon-related genes and proteins than normoxic controls, which suggest that oxygen levels can significantly affect tenogenic differentiation, and hypoxia is advantageous for efficient differentiation of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells in vitro for tendon tissue engineering.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adolescent ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Osteochondritis ; therapy ; Tibia ; injuries ; Young Adult