Objective To evaluate the value of two-dimensional (2D) and color Doppler ultrasonography and B-blood flow (B-flow) in quick screening for venous diseases of the lower extremities in late pregnant women. Methods Sixty late pregnant women excluding other-cause blood vessel diseases were recruited during September 2007 to January 2008 and underwent 2D and color Doppler ultrasonography and B-blood flow examinations for diameter and blood flow velocity of the veins in their both lower extremities during prenatal and postnatal periods to record intravenous condition, activities of the venous valve and venous valvular regurgitation in detail. Results Diameters of the veins in beth lower extremities of the late pregnant women widened significantly during prenatal period, as compared to that in postnatal period [(11.5±1.5) mm vs. (8.4±1.0) mm, t =7.14, P <0.01] and their blood flow velocity slowed down significantly in prenatal period than that in postnatal period [(11.5±4.0) cm/s vs. (29.7±6.9) cm/s, t =-15.74, P <0.01]. Spontaneous enhancement phenomenon could be shown in their veins in 57 of 60 (95%) pregnant women by 2D and color Doppler ultrasonography, but could not be shown by 2D and color Doppler uhrasonography in the poplitel veins in 21 pregnant women (35%) or in the small and great saphenous veins in 39 pregnant women (65%), which should be activated by B-flow. Venous valvular regurgitation occurred in the great saphenous veins and the superficial femoral veins in 24 percent of pregnant women during prenatal period, and small venous valve bag thrombus formed in 20 percent of the superficial femoral veins and 10 percent of the great saphenous veins, but disappeared two weeks after delivery, without formation of pulmonary embolism. Conclusion Tow-dimentional and color Doppler ultrasonography and B-blood flow examinations can be used in late pregnant women to quickly screen for venous diseases in their lower extremities.

Objective To investigate the status of Helicobacter pylori and “Helicobacter macacae” infection in rhesus and cynomolgus monkeys in China.Methods With the use of 16S rRNA specific primers for Helicobacter spp and Helicobacter pylori ( HP ) from published literatures, and new 16S rRNA specific primers designed for “Helicobacter macacae” ( HM ) , we investigated the infection status of these two Helicobacter spps in both of 45 rhesus and 90 cynomolgus monkeys by qPCR or conventional PCR on stool samples.Results All three primer sets for 16S rRNA exhibited excellently sensitivity and specificity.Both the infection rates of HP and HM were 100% among 45 young adult rhesus monkeys.The infection rate of HP and HM in 90 young adult cynomolgus monkeys were 100% and 97.8%, respectively.Conclusions Helicobacter pylori and “Helicobacter macacae” are present in almost every artificially bred adult rhesus and cynomolgus individuals which may adversely affect the health of laboratory monkeys and the accuracy of related animal experiments.

Aim To investigate the molecular mecha-nism for the inhibitory effect of puerarin on IL-6 secre-tion in human osteoblast-likeMG-63 cells. Methods According to our previous studies, human osteoblast-like MG-63 cells containing two estrogen receptor ( ER) isoforms are a suitable model for this study. En-zyme-linked immnosorbent assay (ELISA), RT-PCR, luciferase reporter assay and small interfering RNA were performed to investigate the effect of puerarin on IL-6 expression in osteoblast-derived cells and underly-ing molecular mechanism. Results Puerarin could obviously inhibit IL-6 expression and IL-6 promoter ac-tivity by human osteoblastic MG-63 cells. Treatment with the ER antagonist ICI 182,780 abrogates the a-bove actions of puerarin on osteoblast-derived cells. U-sing siRNA technology, we further demonstrated that the effects of puerarin on IL-6 production were media-ted by ERα. Conclusion The effect of puerarin on IL-6 production in osteoblast is mediated by ERα.

Objective To investigate the relationship between brachial- ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) and heart rate variability (HRV), cardiac function in patients with essential hypertension.Methods One hundred and eighty patients with essential hypertensive from January 2014 to August 2016 were collected.The patients were divided into elevated group(baPWV≥1 400 cm/s,100 cases) and normal group (baPWV < 1 400 cm/s, 80 cases) according to the baPWV value. The general data, heart function and HRV of the 2 groups were compared. Results The standard deviation of all normal-to-normal(SDNN),standard deviation of all 5-min mean NN intervals(SDANN)and proportion of number of pairs of adjacent normal-to-normal intervals by more than 50 ms(PNN50%)in elevated group were significantly lower than those in normal group: (116.3 ± 17.0) ms vs. (135.8 ± 19.4) ms, (96.0 ± 21.4) ms vs. (120.0 ± 25.1) ms and (9.3 ± 3.1)% vs. (12.0 ± 4.1)%,and there were statistical differences (P<0.01); there was no statistical difference in root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD)between 2 groups(P>0.05);the left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF)in elevated group was significantly lower than that in normal group:(57.2 ± 7.0)% vs.(63.0 ± 8.2)%,and there was statistical difference (P<0.01); there were no statistical differences in left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (LVDd) and left ventricular end systolic dimension (LVSd) between 2 groups (P>0.05); the interventricular septal thickness (IVST) in elevated group was significantly higher than that in normal group:(11.4 ± 2.5)mm vs.(9.5 ± 1.4)mm,and there was statistical difference(P<0.01).In patients with essential hypertension,there was a significant negative correlation between baPWV and SDNN,SDANN, PNN50%,LVEF(P<0.01),and there was a significant positive correlation between baPWV and IVST (P<0.05).Conclusions The baPWV measured in patients with essential hypertension can effectively reflect the HRV and cardiac function of the patients.

Objective: To analyze the characteristics of changes in serum cholesterol level in sepsis patients, and to explore its correlation with prognosis. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted. Two hundred and six patients with sepsis admitted in the Third People′s Hospital of Dalian from February 2015 to February 2019 were enrolled (observation group), and 206 patients without sepsis hospitalized in the same period were served as control group. The basic clinical data of the two groups were collected, and the results of total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and biochemical parameters were compared. The patients with sepsis were divided into death group and survival group, and risk factors influencing the prognosis of patients with sepsis were analyzed with Logistic regression analysis. Results: Compared with control group, the levels of serum TC [(2.49 ± 1.14) mmol/L vs. (3.40 ± 1.26) mmol/L, t=6.240] and HDL-C [(1.66 ± 0.89) mmol/L vs. (2.49 ± 0.81) mmol/L, t=5.532] in observation group were significantly lower (P<0.05), and that of LDL-C showed no statistically significant difference [(1.96 ± 0.91) mmol/L vs. (2.10 ± 0.72) mmo/L, t=0.940, P>0.05]. In observation group, the patients in death group (85 cases) were older than those of the survival group (121 cases)[(75.6 ± 8.6) years vs. (62.5 ± 6.0) years, t=4.565], serum creatinine (SCr) was higher than that of survival group [(246.2 ± 34.6) μmol/L vs. (165.4 ± 35.6) μmol/L, t=5.420], and the levels of serum TC [(2.15 ± 0.59) mmol/L vs. (2.89 ± 1.02) mmol/L, t= 5.475], HDL-C [(1.40 ± 0.42) mmol/L vs. (1.94 ± 0.52) mmol/L, t=4.856] and LDL-C [(1.73 ± 0.56) mmol/L vs. (1.97 ± 0.72) mmol/L, t=4.261] were significantly lower than those of survival group (P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that age was the risk factor of death in sepsis patients (OR=1.256, 95% CI 1.006 -1.056, P=0.012), and TC was the protective factor for the prognosis of sepsispatients (OR=-0.758, 95%CI 0.579-0.867, P=0.014). Conclusions The levels of TC, HDL-C in sepsis patients are significantly lowered, and the levels of TC, HDL-C, LDL-C in death group are significantly lower than those in survival group. TC may be used as a clinical indicator to assess the outcome of sepsis patients.

Objectives:To explore the clinical effects of one-stage posterior approach via multifidus-longis-simus cleavage planes for lesion debridement,bone grafting and internal fixation in the treatment of thora-columbar suppurative spondylitis in adults.Methods:73 patients with thoracic or lumbar pyogenic spondylitis who underwent one-stage posterior approach via multifidus-longissimus cleavage planes for lesion removal and bone grafting and internal fixation in the Department of Orthopedics,the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University from February 2019 to February 2021 were retrospectively analyzed.There were 52 males and 21 females,aged 35-75 years(56.5±10.7 years);T1-T10 in 15 cases,T11-L2 in 32 cases,and L3-L5 in 26 cases.Obvious kyphotic deformity was found locally in all the patients.23 cases were accompanied with intraspinal epidural abscess,and 17 cases with paravertebral or psoas major muscle abscess.7 cases were combined with neurological impairment,and the American Spinal Injury Association(ASLA)classification of neurological function was detailed in 1 case of grade C and 6 cases of grade D.24 cases were complicat-ed with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases,35 cases with diabetes,and 30 cases had a history of invasive operation.The venous blood was collected for bacterial culture before operation.All the patients were treated with one-stage posterior approach via multifidus-longissimus cleavage planes for lesion removal and bone grafting and internal fixation.The lesion tissue was taken for bacterial culture during operation.The postoperative irrigation lasted for 10-14d,and the anti-infection treatment lasted for 6-8 weeks.The operative time,intraoperative blood loss,and length of hospital stays,and complications were recorded;Erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR),C-reactive protein(CRP)and procalcitonin(PCT)were compared preoperatively and be-fore discharge;Visual analogue scale(VAS)scores of thoracolumbar back pain before operation and discharge and at final follow-up were compared.The Cobb angles of kyphosis of the lesion segment were measured on radiographs,and the rate of correction of kyphosis and loss angle of correction at the final follow-up were calculated;The recovery of spinal cord function(ASIA grade)and bone graft fusion at final follow-up were ob-served and evaluated.Results:All the patients underwent the surgery successfully.The operative time was 195.8±15.5min,the intraoperative blood loss was 562.1±45.5mL,and the length of hospital stays were 18.0±2.0d.Postoperative complications occurred in 9 patients(12.3％):2 patients had delirium syndrome,which gradually disappeared after oral administration of olanzapine;4 cases had lower limb pain and numbness,and the symptoms disappeared after nutritional nerve treatment;3 cases presented with pleural effusion and were cured after administration of closed chest drainage,anti-infection and strengthening of lung function exercises.51 cases were positive of bacterial culture,including 29 cases of Staphylococcus aureus,17 cases of Es-cherichia coli and 5 cases of Staphylococcus epidermidis.Preoperative ESR,CRP and PCT were 80.9±13.9mm/h,58.4±13.5mg/L,0.8±0.2ng/mL,and before discharge they were 29.6±8.9mm/h,15.0±7.2mg/L and 0.1±0.0ng/mL.ESR,CRP,and PCT were significantly decreased before discharge compared with preoperative values(P＜0.05).The patients were followed up for 12-30 months(20.1±4.0 months).At preoperation,before dis-charge and final follow-up,the VAS scores were 7.6±1.1,2.2±0.6 and 1.6±0.6,respectively.Before discharge and final follow-up VAS scores were significantly lower than the preoperative score(P＜0.05).The Cobb angle was 19.6°±1.6°,6.2°±1.5°,9.4°±1.0°,and the correction angle was 13.4°±0.6°,the correction rate was 68.7％±5.3％,which was significantly corrected before discharge(P＜0.05).At final follow-up,the corrected angle loss was 3.2°±0.7° relative to before discharge,and the corrected angle loss rate was 24.0％±4.6％(P＜0.05).At the final follow-up,one patient of preoperative ASIA grade C recovered to grade D,and six patients of grade D recovered to grade E.There was no change in ASLA grade after operation in patients without nerve injury before operation.Bone fusion was achieved in all patients at the final follow-up.Conclusions:On the basis of anti-infection,one-stage posterior approach via multifidus-longissimus cleavage planes for the treatment of thoracolumbar suppurative spondylitis enables removal of lesion,decompression of spinal canal,and fusion and fixation of intervertebral support implants with protection of paravertebral muscles as well as the posterior lig-amentous complexes,and reduces chronic thoracolumbar back pain after operation.

Abstract Prevention and control of myopia requires comprehensive measures. Based on the system established earlier, the system is revised and upgraded. The original system emphasizes comprehensive measures and proposes to focus on both the symptoms and root causes. These measures are summarized into six aspects, three address the root cause measures including health education, glasses optics and visual environment, and three address symptoms measures including eye exercises, physical therapy and drugs. The paper is comprehensively supplemented and analyzes the primary and the secondary, and promotes physical therapy from treating the symptoms to treat both the symptoms and the root causes. These improvement measures will help promote the prevention and control of myopia in children and adolescents.

The incidence of osteoporotic thoracolumbar vertebral fracture (OTLVF) in the elderly is gradually increasing. The kyphotic deformity caused by various factors has become an important characteristic of OTLVF and has received increasing attention. Its clinical manifestations include pain, delayed nerve damage, sagittal imbalance, etc. Currently, the definition and diagnosis of OTLVF with kyphotic deformity in the elderly are still unclear. Although there are many treatment options, they are controversial. Existing guidelines or consensuses pay little attention to this type of fracture with kyphotic deformity. To this end, the Lumbar Education Working Group of the Spine Branch of the Chinese Medicine Education Association and Editorial Committee of Chinese Journal of Trauma organized the experts in the relevant fields to jointly develop Clinical guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporotic thoracolumbar vertebral fractures with kyphotic deformity in the elderly ( version 2024), based on evidence-based medical advancements and the principles of scientificity, practicality, and advanced nature, which provided 18 recommendations to standardize the clinical diagnosis and treatment.

ObjectiveTo obtain the epidemiological characteristics of re-positive cases infected with SARS-CoV-2 in Pudong New Area from March to July 2022, including clinical manifestations, duration of a negative nucleic acid conversion after tested for re-positive, and length of time from the discharge of the initial infection to the most recent re-positivity, so as to provide a scientific basis for the prevention and control of COVID-19. MethodsA questionnaire survey was conducted among the re-positive cases infected with SARS-CoV-2 after discharged from hospital/quarantine facility in Pudong New Area, and descriptive epidemiological methods were used for characteristics analysis. ResultsA total of 2 422 re-positive cases met the inclusive and exclusive criteria, with males accounting for 61.02%. The age distribution mainly fell between 18 and <60 years old, accounting for 62.39%. Clinical manifestations were predominantly asymptomatic (72.15%), followed by cough (12.03%) and sore throat (6.58%). Among the stratified randomized sample of 416 individuals, there were statistically significant differences in symptoms (χ²=262.667, P<0.001), clinical typing (χ²=12.996, P=0.001), and duration of a negative nucleic acid conversion (χ²=142.578, P<0.001) between the initial positive and re-positive instances. Besides, statistically significant differences in symptoms (χ²=13.696, P=0.016) and self-perception of the severity of re-infection (χ²=7.923, P=0.048) between the initial and re-positive cases were observed by different genders. ConclusionAmong re-positive cases, males experienced milder symptoms compared to females, and the self-perception of symptoms during re-positivity is milder than that in the initial positive infection. The length of time for negative nucleic acid conversion during the initial positive period is shorter than that during the re-positive period.