OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical symptoms and MRI outcomes of patients with ruptured lumbar disc herniation(LDH) through a multicenter randomized controlled study, and to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Yiqi Huoxue formula() in the treatment of this disease. METHODS: A total of 160 outpatients and inpatients with ruptured LDH admitted to 4 medical centers from January 2023 to June 2023 were selected and randomly divided into the Yiqi Huoxue formula group and the control group, with 80 patients in each group. In the Yiqi Huoxue formula group, there were 43 males and 37 females, with an age of (41.03±9.56) years and a disease duration of (10.45±25.37) days, and the patients were treated with Yiqi Huoxue formula. In the control group, there were 34 males and 46 females, with an age of (42.14±8.73) years and a disease duration of (11.31±21.14) days;during the acute phase, patients in this group could take celecoxib capsules orally, and methylcobalamin orally at the same time. The Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, Oswestry disability index (ODI), changes in the volume of herniated disc tissue on MRI, herniation rate, and absorption rate were recorded at the time of enrollment and during follow-ups at the 3rd, 6th, and 12th month after treatment. RESULTS: A total of 156 patients completed the clinical follow-up, and 4 patients withdrew midway. The clinical symptoms of all patients who completed the study were relieved to varying degrees, and reabsorption of herniated disc tissue was observed in all patients in the Yiqi Huoxue formula group after treatment. For the JOA score:in the Yiqi Huoxue formula group, it was (10.73±2.76) points before treatment and (24.65±2.19) points at the 12th month after treatment;in the control group, it was (11.01±1.20) points before treatment and (17.07±3.26) points at the 12th month after treatment. For the ODI score:in the Yiqi Huoxue formula group, it was (26.21±3.55) points before treatment and (5.65±2.19) points at the 12th month after treatment;in the control group, it was (27.92±2.51) points before treatment and (9.09±2.15) points at the 12th month after treatment. At the 12th month after treatment, the JOA and ODI scores of both groups were better than those before treatment, and the scores of the Yiqi Huoxue formula group were better than those of the control group, with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). In terms of the herniated disc volume and herniation rate on MRI, the Yiqi Huoxue formula group was superior to the control group, with statistically significant differences(P<0.05). Reabsorption occurred in 56.96%(45/79) of patients in the Yiqi Huoxue formula group, which was significantly higher than the 37.66%(29/77) in the control group. CONCLUSION After treatment with Yiqi Huoxue formula, patients with ruptured LDH show significant improvement in clinical symptoms and a marked reduction in the volume of herniated discs. During the follow-up period, no obvious adverse drug reactions are observed in patients, and no recurrence of symptoms is found at the last follow-up, indicating that the formula has safe and reliable efficacy.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement/drug therapy* ; Adult ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects* ; Middle Aged ; Lumbar Vertebrae

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the spatiotemporal patterns and socioeconomic factors influencing the incidence of tuberculosis (TB) in the Guangdong Province between 2010 and 2019. METHOD: Spatial and temporal variations in TB incidence were mapped using heat maps and hierarchical clustering. Socioenvironmental influencing factors were evaluated using a Bayesian spatiotemporal conditional autoregressive (ST-CAR) model. RESULTS: Annual incidence of TB in Guangdong decreased from 91.85/100,000 in 2010 to 53.06/100,000 in 2019. Spatial hotspots were found in northeastern Guangdong, particularly in Heyuan, Shanwei, and Shantou, while Shenzhen, Dongguan, and Foshan had the lowest rates in the Pearl River Delta. The ST-CAR model showed that the TB risk was lower with higher per capita Gross Domestic Product (GDP) [Relative Risk ( RR), 0.91; 95% Confidence Interval ( CI): 0.86-0.98], more the ratio of licensed physicians and physician ( RR, 0.94; 95% CI: 0.90-0.98), and higher per capita public expenditure ( RR, 0.94; 95% CI: 0.90-0.97), with a marginal effect of population density ( RR, 0.86; 95% CI: 0.86-1.00). CONCLUSION The incidence of TB in Guangdong varies spatially and temporally. Areas with poor economic conditions and insufficient healthcare resources are at an increased risk of TB infection. Strategies focusing on equitable health resource distribution and economic development are the key to TB control.
Humans ; China/epidemiology* ; Incidence ; Bayes Theorem ; Spatio-Temporal Analysis ; Tuberculosis/epidemiology* ; Socioeconomic Factors

Objective To analyze the status of 2 649 suspected pertussis patients in Xi'an and the changes in laboratory diagnostic indi-cators.Methods 2 649 patients with suspected pertussis who visited the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University from June 2023 to May 2025 were collected as the research subjects.Nasopharyngeal swabs were collected from the patients,and pertussis nucleic acid was detected by polymerase chain reaction(PCR)-fluorescence probe method.Laboratory diagnostic indicators were an-alyzed.Results Among the 2 649 samples tested,250 were positive for pertussis nucleic acid,with a positive detection rate of 9.44%.The detection rate in male patients was 9.37%(127/1 356),and in female patients was 9.51%(123/1 293),with difference no was statis-tically significant between the two groups(χ2=0.019,P=0.894).There was a statistically significant difference in the positive detection rate among different age groups(χ2=46.473,P<0.05),with the highest positive detection rate in the 7～19 age group(14.98%).The prevalence of pertussis showed a seasonal characteristic with a peak from April to September.21.2%(53/250)of the positive patients were mixed infections.In the 1～14 age group,the white blood cell count(WBC),lymphocyte percentage(LYMP%),and lymphocyte count(LYMP#)in the pertussis infection group were higher than those in the Mycoplasma pneumoniae(MP)infection group(t=10.179,5.819,8.614)and the Respiratory syncytial virus(RSV)infection group(t=16.570,2.618,7.185),and the differences were statistically significant(all P<0.01),respectively.In the＞14 age group,the LYMP%and LYMP#in the pertussis infection group were higher than those in the MP infection group(t=3.275,2.319)and the RSV infection group(t=2.401,4.617),and the differences were statistically significant(all P<0.05),respectively.Conclusion The pertussis infection status in Xi'an area from 2023 to 2025 shows significant char-acteristics in terms of age,season and laboratory test results.It is necessary to further improve the pertussis surveillance system in this area,optimize the clinical diagnosis and treatment process and strengthen the vaccination work of pertussis vaccine.

Objective To investigate the brain voxel-mirrored homotopic connectivity(VMHC)alterations in patients with ves-tibular migraine(VM)by using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging(rs-fMRI).Methods The rs-fMRI data of 30 VM patients(VM group)and 30 healthy volunteers(control group)were prospectively collected.The brain VMHC values in all subjects were calculated and the differences between the two groups were compared.The correlations between VMHC values of significant brain regions and clinical scale scores were analyzed in the VM group.Results Compared with the control group,the VMHC values of the cerebellum region 6,orbital inferior frontal gyrus,insula,superior temporal gyrus and postcentral gyrus in the VM group were all decreased[cluster-level family wise error(FWE)corrected,Pvoxel-level<0.001,Pcluster-level<0.05].In the VM group,the VMHC values of the postcentral gyrus were negatively correlated with dizziness handicap inventory(DHI)score(r=-0.383,P=0.037).Additionally,the VMHC values of the insula were negatively correlated with headache impact test-6(HIT-6)score(r=-0.430,P=0.018).Conclusion VM patients have altered VMHC in certain brain regions,indicating related dysfunctions in vestibule,pain,hearing and emotion.

This study was aimed at identifying the pathogenic bacteria responsible for the death of a young tiger at the Fujian Meihua Mountain South China Tiger Breeding Research Institute.Tissue samples from the lungs,liver,and intestines of the deceased tiger were collected,and the bacteria were cultured inasterile environment.The bacterial strains were characterized according to their morphological and molecular biological properties,including assessment of virulence genes and antibiotic resistance genes,mouse lethality tests,and antibiotic susceptibility evaluations.A predominant bacterial strain isolated from the liver of the deceased tiger was identified as enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli(ETEC)strain Tiger22513F.Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene revealed that the Tiger22513F strain exhibited close genetic similarity to the reference strain ETEC(MF919609.1),with 99.9%nucleotide similarity,and resided on the same evolutionary branch.The Tiger22513F strain contained 11 antibiotic resistance genes(tetA,sul1,sul3,cmlA,floR,blaTEM,blaSHV,blaCMY-2,qnrA,qnrS,and qnrD)along with five virulence genes(VT1,fyuA,tsh,iucD,and ST).Mouse lethality tests indicated significant pathogenicity toward mice,affecting primarily the lungs,liver,and intestines.Antibiotic susceptibility testing demonstrated that this strain exhibited resistance to various classes of beta-lactam antibiotics,as well as quinolones and aminoglycosides.This investigation successfully isolated a multi-drug resistant enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli strain with pronounced pathogenicity from the liver of a deceased tiger;thus providing valuable scientific insights for clinical diagnosis,as well as prevention and control measures,against ETEC infections in South China tigers.

Obejective To explore whether it is possible to detect the 123I-prostate-specific membrane antigen(PSMA)radiation value of the puncture tissue during prostate biopsy to achieve real-time,rapid,and accurate identification of benign and malignant prostate tissues,so as to improve the current clinical biopsy strategy and achieve accurate diagnosis of prostate cancer during operation with fewer puncture needles.Method In this prospective,diagnostic trial,we included 29 patients with suspected prostate cancer.All patients underwent transperineal biopsy guided by ultrasound within 24 hours after injection of 123I-PSMA,a total of 435 punctures were performed.The radiation value of punctured tissue was measured in real-time with a gamma counter.Pearson test is used to correlate radiation value with histopathology.Result The median radiation value of prostate cancer tissue(1 906.50 cpm)was significantly higher than that of benign prostate tissue(415.00 cpm).The optimal cut-off value for distinguishing benign and malignant prostate tissues was 828.50 cpm.The median radiation value of clinically significant prostate cancer tissue(2 652.50 cpm)was significantly higher than that of clinically insignificant prostate cancer(1 386.00 cpm).The optimal cut-off value for distinguishing clinically significant and clinically insignificant prostate cancer tissues was 1 767.00 cpm.In additional,there was a significant positive correlation between the radiation value of puncture tissue and ISUP pathological grade(r=0.834).Conclusion It is preliminarily confirmed that detection of 123I-PSMA radiation value of prostate puncture tissue can realize real-time,rapid and accurate identification of benign and malignant prostate tissues during operation.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical features and genetic basis of a male patient with Kennedy disease(KD) presenting as secondary infertility. METHODS: A male patient who had presented at Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital in August 2023 for secondary infertility for 5 years was selected as the study subject. Clinical data, laboratory findings, and auxiliary examination of the patient were collected. Peripheral blood samples were obtained from the patient and his family members. Following DNA extraction, whole-exome sequencing (WES) was carried out. Pathogenicity of candidate variant was predicted by bioinformatics analysis. Fluorescence probe PCR-capillary electrophoresis was employed to analyze the trinucleotide CAG repeat sequence variation in the AR gene to rule out dynamic mutation. This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital (Ethics No.: 2024-697). RESULTS: The patient had presented with non-obstructive azoospermia and elevated androgen sensitivity index. Ultrasound scan indicated small testicular volume and seminal vesicle atrophy. WES and bioinformatics analysis revealed abnormal amplification in the patient's AR gene. Fluorescence probe PCR and capillary electrophoresis confirmed that both the proband and his nephew had harbored 52 CAG trinucleotide repeats in exon 1 of the AR gene, confirming the diagnosis of KD. The proband's mother, elder sister, and daughter were identified as carriers of the variant, while his second elder sister did not carry the mutation. CONCLUSION As a rare X-linked recessive genetic disease, KD mainly manifests with muscle weakness, myasthenia gravis and myofascial tremor, while cases with infertility and non-obstructive azoospermia as the initial symptoms are rare and can be easily missed. Diagnosis made by genetic testing needs to be taken seriously by the clinicians.
Humans ; Male ; Bulbo-Spinal Atrophy, X-Linked/diagnosis* ; Adult ; Infertility, Male/genetics* ; Receptors, Androgen/genetics* ; Exome Sequencing ; Mutation ; Pedigree ; Trinucleotide Repeats

Objective To construct a symptom network in patients with acute type A aortic dissection(ATAAD),so as to provide theoretical basis for the screening of dissection ATAAD during emergency pre-screening triage.Methods There were 433 patients diagnosed with ATAAD during 2019 to 2023 in an emergency department of a tertiary hospital in Wuhan.Their basic information and medical records were reviewed by self-designed data questionnaire.UCINET6.0 software was used to construct a symptom network,analyze the centrality index and determine the core symptoms.Symptom distribution of patients with positive and negative blood pressure in extremities was analyzed in the further.Results The most common symptoms in patients with type A aortic dissection were chest pain(77.37％),back pain(42.96％),and sweating(29.79％).In the symptom network,chest pain had the highest degree(rs=659).The closeness of chest pain,chest tightness,shortness of breath,back pain,nausea and vomiting,limb numbness and fatigue were same(rc=93.33).Fatigue has the highest betweenness(rb=13.69).Patients with positive limbs blood pressure mainly reported chest pain(70.17％),back pain(44.96％),and nausea and vomiting(19.33％),while those with negative limb blood pressure mainly reported chest pain(63.64％),back pain(63.64％),and orosphyalgia(39.40％).Orosphyalgia had the highest degree(rs=20).Conclusion The symptoms of ATAAD are complex and varied in patients.During triage,nurses should measure the limb blood pressure when patients complained chest pain alone or when combined with other hypoperfusion symptoms,such as back pain,chest tightness,sweating,near-death sensation,and shortness of breath.Aortic dissection cannot be ruled out in patients with negative blood pressure when they had chest pain,back pain or orosphyalgia.

Body weight abnormalities, including overweight, obesity, and underweight, have become a dual public health challenge in Chinese adults: overweight and obesity lead to a variety of chronic complications, while underweight increases the risks of malnutrition, sarcopenia, and organ dysfunction. To systematically address these issues, multidisciplinary experts in endocrinology, sports science, nutrition, and psychiatry from various regions have held multiple weight management seminars. Based on the latest epidemiological data and clinical evidence, they expanded the guideline to include assessment and intervention strategies for underweight, in addition to the core content of obesity management. This guideline outlines the etiological mechanisms, evaluation methods, and multidimensional management strategies for overweight and obesity, covering key areas such as diagnosis and assessment, medical nutrition therapy, exercise prescription, pharmacological intervention, and psychological support. It is intended to provide a scientific and standardized approach to weight management across the adult population, aiming to curb the rising prevalence of obesity, mitigate complications associated with abnormal body weight, and improve nutritional status and overall quality of life.

Objective:To assess the predictive value of the percentage of Gleason pattern 4 (G4%) in prostate biopsy for adverse pathology and biochemical recurrence.Methods:We retrospectively analyzed consecutive patients who underwent radical prostatectomy in our institution between January 2019 and December 2023, and included those who were diagnosed with ISUP 2-3 cancer at biopsy. A total of 109 patients were included in this study. The average age of patients was (67.40±6.11) years, and the average BMI of patients was (25.36±2.97) kg/m 2. 49 Cases (45.0%) had a PI-RADS score of 5, and the median prostate volume was 32.60 (24.57, 45.63) ml. The median of most recent tPSA before biopsy was 9.76 (6.89, 12.95) ng/ml, the median PSAD was 0.28 (0.17, 0.44) ng/ml 2, and the median f/tPSA was 0.11 (0.08, 0.16). Clinical T 2b or higher stage was found in 84 cases (77.1%). The total biopsy core length was (22.91±5.18) cm, with a median of 24 (20, 24) biopsy cores and a median of 6 (4, 9) positive cores. Gleason score 3+ 4 was found in 52 cases (47.7%), and Gleason score 4+ 3 in 57 cases (52.3%). Cribriform was present in 30 cases (27.5%). G4% was calculated based on the proportion of Gleason grade 4 tumor relative to total tumor, tumor proportion relative to total tissue, and tissue length. Patients were divided into high-G4% (≥2.45%) and low-G4% (<2.45%) groups based on the median G4% value, with 55 and 54 cases, respectively. No significant differences were observed in baseline characteristics between the two groups ( P>0.05). The main risk factor of adverse pathology was analyzed by logistic regression, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and area under curve (AUC) were performed. Patients were further stratified by the G4% cutoff value from ROC, and Kaplan-Meier survival curves were plotted to compare biochemical recurrence free survival (BCRFS) between groups. The main risk factor affecting BCRFS was analyzed by Cox regression. Adverse pathology was defined as postoperative Gleason score ≥4+ 3 or pathological stage ≥T 3a. Results:Adverse pathology occurred in 44 (80.0%) high-G4% and 16 (29.6%) low-G4% patients ( P<0.01). Multivariate analysis identified G4% as an independent risk factor for adverse pathology ( OR=1.23, 95% CI 1.02-1.50, P=0.033). The highest ROC AUC value was seen for G4% (0.799), significantly outperforming Gleason score (0.799 vs. 0.641, P=0.003), tPSA (0.799 vs. 0.615, P=0.003), PSAD (0.799 vs. 0.679, P=0.038), positive cores (0.799 vs. 0.677, P=0.009), clinical T stage (0.799 vs. 0.607, P=0.001) and cribriform (0.799 vs. 0.639, P=0.001). The G4% cutoff value for predicting biochemical recurrence was 10.97%. The median BCRFS was significantly higher in the low G4% (<10.97%) group than that in the high G4% (≥10.97%) group (55 vs. 28 months, P=0.002). Cumulative recurrence free survival rates at 1 and 3 years were 94.6% vs. 74.1% and 78.0% vs. 47.6%, respectively. Multivariate Cox regression analysis indicates that G4% was an independent risk factor affecting BCRFS ( HR=1.11, 95% CI 1.00-1.23, P=0.041). Conclusions:For patients with ISUP 2-3 nmPCa, a higher G4% in biopsy specimens demonstrates strong predictive ability for adverse pathology and biochemical recurrence, outperforming traditional clinical indicators such as Gleason score and PSA.