Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of ultrasound-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation in the treatment of ectopic pregnancy.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed on 8 patients with ectopic pregnancy admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2018 to January 2020, all of whom underwent ultrasound-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation. Contrast ultrasonography was performed immediately after the operation to observe the changes of pregnancy sac. The length of hospital stay, mass absorption time and menstrual recovery time of the patients were recorded. Postoperative complications and serum human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) negative conversion time were observed. At 3 months after the operation, hysterosalpingography was performed 3-7 days after the menstruation to observe the patency of the fallopian tubes, all patients were followed up for 1 year to observe the postoperative intrauterine pregnancy and re-ectopic pregnancy.Results:All the 8 patients were successfully treated with radiofrequency ablation, and postoperative ultrasonography showed that the mass remained unenhanced. The length of hospital stay was (3.0±0.8)d. The packet absorption time was (32.4±14.3)d. The recovery time of menstruation was (39.6±2.7)d. There were no serious complications.Blood HCG levels decreased rapidly within a week, and all returned to normal level of non-pregnancy 2-3 weeks after the operation. Three months after the operation, the salpingogram showed that the fallopian tubes were recanalized in 3 patients. After a follow-up of 1 year, 1 patient had a natural intrauterine pregnancy, and there was no case of recurrent ectopic pregnancy.Conclusions:Ultrasound-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation is effective in the treatment of ectopic pregnancy with minimal trauma and rapid recovery, and can retain the reproductive ability of patients to some extent, which is worth popularizing in clinical application.

Objective:To investigate the correlation between heart rate variability (HRV) and cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).Methods:Patients with OSA received polysomnography and brain MRI examination in Weihai Municipal Hospital from July 2019 to July 2020 were consecutively collected for cross-sectional analysis. The 5 min HRV before sleep (awake state) was analyzed. The patients were divided into CSVD group and non-CSVD group according to the overall burden of CSVD. The demographic data, clinical data, polysomnography parameters and HRV time domain and frequency domain parameters were compared between the two groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the correlation between the HRV parameters and CSVD in patients with OSA. Results:A total of 100 patients with OSA were enrolled, including 79 males (79.0%), aged 52.36±8.66 years, apnea hypopnea index (AHI) 38.70±24.65/h. There were 46 patients (46.0%) in the CSVD group and 54 (54.0%) in the non-CSVD group. Univariate analysis showed that there were significant differences in age, AHI, oxygen desaturation index (ODI), percentage of blood oxygen saturation <90% in total sleep time (T90), square root of the mean of the sum of the squares of the difference between adjacent RR intervals (RMSSD), power in high frequency range (HF), power in low frequency range (LF) to HF ratio (LF/HF) between the CSVD group and the non-CSVD group (all P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that after adjusting for age, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, AHI, ODI, and T90, RMSSD (odds ratio 0.625, 95% confidence interval 0.389-0.981; P=0.041) and LF/HF ratio (odds ratio 1.429, 95% confidence interval 1.011-2.020; P=0.043) were the independent influencing factors of CSVD in patients with OSA. Conclusion:Increased LF/HF and decreased RMSSD in OSA patients with CSVD suggest that the increased sympathetic excitability and decreased vagus function, which may be one of the pathophysiological mechanisms of occurring CSVD in patients with OSA.

Objective:To investigate the effect of the possibility of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) as assessed by the four-variable score on the platelet function and the risk of stroke recurrence in patients with acute ischemic stroke.Methods:Patients with acute ischemic stroke admitted to the Department of Neurology, Weihai Municipal Hospital from January 2020 to January 2021 were enrolled prospectively. Main inclusion criteria: admission within 24 h of onset; National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score ≤3; Receiving aspirin + clopidogrel dual antiplatelet therapy. All patients were divided into a high possibility group and a low possibility group of SDB according to the four-variable score. 7±2 d after dual antiplatelet therapy, PL-12 multi-parameter platelet function analyzer was used to detect the maximum aggregation rate (MAR). The patients were followed up for 6 months after discharge and the recurrence of ischemic stroke was observed. The mediating effect model was established with the high possibility of SDB as the independent variable, MAR as the intermediary variable and stroke recurrence as the dependent variable. Firstly, MAR as the dependent variable and high probability of SDB as the independent variable were analyzed by linear regression; then, a binary logistic regression analysis was performed with ischemic stroke recurrence as the dependent variable and the high probability of SDB and MAR as independent variables. Results:A total of 213 patients were enrolled in the study. The average age of the patients was 62.70 ± 10.04 years old. There were 146 male (68.5%) and 121 patients (56.8%) were in the high possibility group (56.8%). During the follow-up period, 24 patients (11.3%) had stroke recurrence. Univariate analysis showed that arachidonic acid (AA) induced MAR (MAR-AA) and adenosine diphosphate (ADP) induced the MAR (MAR-ADP) in the high possibility group of SDB were significantly higher than those in the low possibility group (all P<0.05); MAR-AA and MAR-ADP in the recurrent group were significantly higher than those in the non-recurrent group (all P<0.05), and the proportion of high possibility of SDB in the recurrent group was significantly higher ( P=0.008). Binary logistic regression analysis showed that homocysteine (odds ratio 1.132, 95% confidence interval 1.048-1.223; P=0.002) and having high possibility of SDB (odds ratio 6.351, 95% confidence interval 1.134-35.566; P=0.035) were the independent risk factors for stroke recurrence in patients treated with dual antiplatelet therapy. Intermediary effect analysis showed that MAR had a significant intermediary effect on the risk of stroke recurrence in patients with high probability of SDB. Conclusion:The MAR and stroke recurrence rates in the high possibility group of SDB were significantly higher than those in the low possibility group, and its stroke risk was probably mediated by platelet hyperreactivity.

Objective: To investigate the impact of obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) on platelet function in patients with ischemic stroke. Methods: Patients with ischemic stroke treated in the Department of Neurology, Weihai Municipal Hospital from January 2017 to November 2017 were collected prospectively. The presence or absence of OSAHS was determined by polysomnography. After oral administration of aspirin enteric coated tablets for 7±1 d, the maximum aggregation ratio (MAR) induced by arachidonic acid (AA) was determined by PL-12 Platelet Function Analyzer. MAR-AA ≥50% was defined as platelet hyperresponsiveness. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the risk factors for platelet hyperresponsiveness in patients with ischemic stroke, and multiple linear regression analysis was used to determine the correlation between sleep parameters reflecting the severity of sleep apnea and MAR-AA. Results: Among the 124 patients with ischemic stroke, 58 (46.77%) complicated with OSAHS, 66 (53.23%) without complicated with OSAHS; 84 (67.74%) had platelet hyperresponsiveness, and 40 (32.26%) had not platelet hyperresponsiveness. MAR-AA in the complicated OSAHS group was significantly higher than that in the non-complicated OSAHS group (48.98%±20.61% vs. 26.45%±15.15%; t=-6.858, P<0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that OSAHS was an independent risk factor for platelet hyperresponsiveness in patients with ischemic stroke (odds ratio 9.551, 95% confidence interval 3.051-29.905; P<0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that there was a significant linear relationship between apnea hypopnea index and MAR-AA (β=0.499, P<0.001). Conclusions OSAHS is an independent risk factor for platelet hyperresponsiveness in patients with ischemic stroke. Apnea hypopnea index is significantly correlated with MAR-AA.

Objective:To investigate whether the combination of conventional axial and thin-layer sagittal diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) can improve the detection ability of acute brainstem infarction (ABI).Methods:Patients with ABI diagnosed clinically and admitted to Weihai Municipal Hospital, Shandong University from January 2019 to July 2020 were enrolled retrospectively. All patients underwent conventional axial and thin-layer sagittal DWI examination after admission. Those who could not make a definite diagnosis were confirmed by DWI reexamination before discharge. The numbers of positive and negative cases of brainstem infarction at different sites detected by conventional axial and conventional axial+ thin-layer sagittal DWI were recorded.Results:A total of 65 patients with ABI were included. Conventional axial DWI was positive in 51 patients (78.5%) and was negative in 14 (21.5%); conventional axial+ thin-layer sagittal DWI were positive in 60 patients (92.3%) and was negative in 5 (7.7%). In 8 patients with medullary infarction, only 4 (50.0%) were positive on conventional axial DWI, and 6 (75.0%) were positive on conventional axial+ thin-layer sagittal DWI; in 50 patients with pontine infarction, only 44 (88.0%) were positive on conventional axial DWI, and 48 (96.0%) were positive on conventional axial+ thin-layer sagittal DWI; in 4 patients with midbrain infarction, only 1 (25.0%) was positive on conventional axial DWI, and 3 (75.0%) were positive on conventional axial+ thin-layer sagittal DWI; in 3 patients with pontine+ midbrain infarction, only 2 (66.7%) were positive on conventional axial DWI, and 3 (100.0%) were positive on conventional axial DWI+ thin-layer sagittal DWI. The detection rate of ABI on conventional axial+ thin-layer sagittal DWI was significantly higher than that on conventional axial DWI, and difference was statistically significant (92.3% vs. 78.5%; χ2=4.993, P=0.026). Conclusion:The combination of conventional axial and thin-layer sagittal DWI improved the detection rate of ABI. For ABI patients whose axial DWI did not find lesions or whose diagnosis was not clear, thin-layer sagittal DWI should be added.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a sleep disorder characterized by recurrent upper respiratory tract obstruction, sleep fragmentation, and hypoxia during sleep. This disease often leads to cognitive, emotional, and memory related neurological damage, and its mechanism is closely associated with the disruption of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). This article mainly discusses the relationship between BBB damage caused by OSA and vascular cognitive impairment (VCI), as well as the role of early prevention, intervention, and repairing BBB on reducing VCI.

Background::Few evidence is available in the early prediction models of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). This study aimed to develop and validate a novel genetic-clinical-radiological nomogram for evaluating BPSD in patients with AD and explore its underlying nutritional mechanism.Methods::This retrospective study included 165 patients with AD from the Chinese Imaging, Biomarkers, and Lifestyle (CIBL) cohort between June 1, 2021, and March 31, 2022. Data on demographics, neuropsychological assessments, single-nucleotide polymorphisms of AD risk genes, and regional brain volumes were collected. A multivariate logistic regression model identified BPSD-associated factors, for subsequently constructing a diagnostic nomogram. This nomogram was internally validated through 1000-bootstrap resampling and externally validated using a time-series split based on the CIBL cohort data between June 1, 2022, and February 1, 2023. Area under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, calibration curves, and decision curve analysis (DCA) were used to assess the discrimination, calibration, and clinical applicability of the nomogram.Results::Factors independently associated with BPSD were: CETP rs1800775 (odds ratio [OR] = 4.137, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.276-13.415, P = 0.018), decreased Mini Nutritional Assessment score (OR = 0.187, 95% CI: 0.086-0.405, P <0.001), increased caregiver burden inventory score (OR = 8.993, 95% CI: 3.830-21.119, P <0.001), and decreased brain stem volume (OR = 0.006, 95% CI: 0.001-0.191, P = 0.004). These variables were incorporated into the nomogram. The area under the ROC curve was 0.925 (95% CI: 0.884-0.967, P <0.001) in the internal validation and 0.791 (95% CI: 0.686-0.895, P <0.001) in the external validation. The calibration plots showed favorable consistency between the prediction of nomogram and actual observations, and the DCA showed that the model was clinically useful in both validations. Conclusion::A novel nomogram was established and validated based on lipid metabolism-related genes, nutritional status, and brain stem volumes, which may allow patients with AD to benefit from early triage and more intensive monitoring of BPSD.Registration::Chictr.org.cn, ChiCTR2100049131.

As an important zoonotic pathogen, Staphylococcus aureus has led to serious mastitis and endometritis in infected dairy cows. In this study, a total of 164 strains of S. aureus were isolated from dairy cows in Xinjiang Province, China, and subjected to assays to determine drug susceptibility and biofilm (BF) formation ability. Enterotoxin-related genes were detected, and the transcription levels of genes related to BF formation were determined by using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Moreover, the pathogenicity of isolates with different BF formation abilities was determined by measuring their hemolysis activity, half lethal dose (LD₅₀) and organ bacterial load. The results showed that 86.0% of S. aureus isolates could form BF. Among them, 42.1% of the strains had weak BF formation ability, and most strains with a strong BF formation ability were ica gene carriers. The S. aureus isolates displayed multidrug resistance and their drug resistance was positively correlated with their BF formation ability. Moreover, 96.3% of the S. aureus isolates carried enterotoxin genes. Among them, the detection rates of the novel enterotoxin genes were higher than those of conventional enterotoxin genes. Furthermore, isolates with a strong BF formation ability had higher LD50 but lower hemolysis ability and organ bacterial load than those of the isolates with weak or no BF ability. However, isolates without BF ability produced more severe pathological changes than those of isolates with strong BF formation ability. These findings suggest that higher BF ability and presence of novel enterotoxin genes are important characteristics of S. aureus isolates from dairy cows in Xinjiang Province, China, and such isolates may pose potential threats to food safety.
Bacterial Load ; Biofilms ; China ; Drug Resistance ; Drug Resistance, Microbial ; Drug Resistance, Multiple ; Endometritis ; Enterotoxins ; Female ; Food Safety ; Hemolysis ; Lethal Dose 50 ; Mastitis ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Staphylococcus aureus ; Staphylococcus ; Virulence

Objective:To investigate the correlation between paroxysmal slow-wave events (PSWEs) and cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) and CSVD-related cognitive impairment.Methods:Patients with CSVD visited Weihai Municipal Hospital from March 2021 to April 2022 were included, and sex- and age-matched healthy controls were recruited for cross-sectional analysis. The patients with CSVD were further divided into cognitive impairment group and non-cognitive impairment group. The self-developed Python script was used to detect the PSWE parameters in electroencephalogram records. Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) were used to evaluate cognitive function. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine whether PWSE parameters were the independent related factors of CSVD and CSVD-related cognitive impairment. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to determine the correlation between the PSWE parameters and overall cognitive function (MoCA total score) in patients with CSVD. Results:A total of 76 patients with CSVD (including 41 patients with cognitive impairment and 35 patients without cognitive impairment) and 45 healthy controls were included. Compared with the healthy control group, PWSEs in the F3 (left frontal area) and O1 (left occipital area) regions of the CSVD group occurred more frequently and lasted longer (all P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the frequency (odds ratio [ OR] 1.080, 95% confidence interval [ CI] 1.023-1.140; P=0.005) and duration ( OR 1.006, 95% CI 1.001-1.011; P=0.023) of PWSEs in the left frontal area, as well as the frequency ( OR 1.052, 95% CI 1.010-1.095; P=0.014) and duration ( OR 1.003, 95% CI 1.000-1.006; P=0.028) of PWSEs in the left occipital region were the independent related factors for CSVD. The frequency ( OR 1.106, 95% CI 1.033-1.183; P=0.004) and duration ( OR1.010, 95% CI 1.003-1.017; P=0.004) of PWSEs in the left frontal area were the independent risk factors for cognitive impairment in patients with CSVD. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the frequency ( β= –0.242, P=0.045) and duration ( β= –0.235, P=0.046) of PWSEs in the left frontal region were negatively correlated with the overall cognitive function score in patients with CSVD. Conclusions:The frequency and duration of PSWEs in some brain regions of patients with CSVD increase, and there is an independent correlation between PSWEs and cognitive impairment, suggesting that the damage of blood-brain barrier may participate in the pathogenesis of cognitive impairment in patients with CSVD.

Objective:To investigate the prognosis and influencing factors of liver transplantation (LT) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) using steatotic donor liver.Methods:The retrospective cohort study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 152 pairs of donors and the corresponding recipients undergoing LT for HCC in the two medical centers [89 pairs in Shulan (Hangzhou) Hospital and 63 pairs in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine] from January 2015 to December 2019 were collected. Of 152 donors, there were 131 males and 21 females, aged (48±12)years, and there were 130 cases with liver mild steatosis and 22 cases with liver moderate steatosis. Of 152 recipients, there were 138 males and 14 females, aged (52±9)years. Observation indicators: (1) follow-up, overall survival and tumor recurrence free survival of recipients; (2) influencing factors for overall survival and tumor recurrence free survival of recipients; (3) construction and validation of nomogram prediction model for overall survival and tumor recurrence free survival of recipients. Follow-up was conducted using outpatient examination and telephone interview to detect survival and tumor recurrence of recipients up to December 2020. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean± SD, and measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M( IQR). Count data were described as absolute numbers. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate the survival time and draw survival curve, and the Log-Rank test was used for survival analysis. The COX regression model was used for univariate and multivariate analysis. The independent risk factors were brought into the R 3.6.2 software to construct nomogram prediction model and draw the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The accuracy and discrimination of the nomogram prediction model were evaluated using the area under curve (AUC) and the calibration curve. Results:(1) Follow-up, overall survival and tumor recurrence free survival of recipients. All the 152 recipients undergoing LT for HCC using steatotic donor liver were followed up for 45.8(27.6)months, with the overall survival time and tumor recurrence free survival time of 36.5(32.3)months and 30.4(34.6)months. The 1-year, 3-year overall survival rates and tumor recurrence free rates of the 152 recipients were 73.4%, 55.8% and 62.2%, 43.4%, respectively. (2) Influencing factors for overall survival and tumor recurrence free survival of recipients. Results of univariate analysis showed that the donor liver cold ischemia time (CIT), the donor liver warm ischemia time (WIT), graft-to-recipient weight ratio (GRWR), ABO compatibility, recipient body mass index (BMI), recipient tumor diameter, recipient tumor number, recipient tumor differentiation degree, recipient preoperative alpha fetoprotein (AFP) were related factors influencing the overall survival of recipients ( hazard ratio=6.26, 1.90, 2.47, 4.08, 0.55, 5.16, 3.62, 5.28, 2.65, 95% confidence interval as 3.01?13.03, 1.07?3.38, 1.36?4.49, 2.07?8.03, 0.31?0.98, 2.56?10.42, 1.95?6.72, 1.60?17.42, 1.48?5.01, P<0.05) and the donor liver CIT, GRWR, ABO compatibility, recipient tumor diameter, recipient tumor number, recipient tumor differentiation degree, recipient preoperative AFP were related factors influencing the tumor recurrence free survival of recipients ( hazard ratio=4.24, 2.53, 4.05, 3.39, 3.10, 5.19, 2.63, 95% confidence interval as 2.50?7.21, 1.54?4.17, 2.12?7.72, 2.04?5.62, 1.91?5.03, 2.04?13.18, 1.61?4.30, P<0.05). Results of multivariate analysis showed that donor liver CIT ≥8 hours, GRWR ≥2.5%, recipient tumor diameter ≥8 cm and recipient preoperative AFP ≥400 μg/L were independent risk factors influencing the overall survival of recipients ( hazard ratio=4.21, 2.58, 4.10, 2.27, 95% confidence interval as 1.98?8.96, 1.24?5.35, 1.35?12.43, 1.13?4.56, P<0.05) and donor liver CIT ≥8 hours, GRWR ≥2.5%, recipient tumor diameter ≥8 cm, recipient tumor number ≥3 and recipient preoperative AFP ≥400 μg/L were independent risk factors influencing the tumor recurrence free survival of recipients ( hazard ratio=3.37, 2.63, 2.42, 2.12, 2.22, 95% confidence interval as 1.70?6.67, 1.40?4.96, 1.04?5.66, 1.08?4.18, 1.26?3.90, P<0.05). (3) Construction and validation of nomogram prediction model for overall survival and tumor recurrence free survival of recipients. The donor live CIT, GRWR, recipient tumor diameter, recipient preoperative AFP were used to construct nomogram prediction model for overall survival of recipients and the donor liver CIT, GRWR, recipient tumor diameter, recipient tumor number, recipient preoperative AFP were used to construct nomogram prediction model for tumor recurrence free survival of recipients. The ROC curve showed that the AUC of the nomogram prediction model for overall survival of recipients was 0.84 (95% confidence interval as 0.76?0.92, P<0.05), with the optimal diagnostic value as 7.3 and the specificity and sensitivity as 87.6% and 70.0%. The AUC of the nomogram prediction model for tumor recurrence free survival of recipients was 0.79 (95% confidence interval as 0.71?0.87, P<0.05), with the optimal diagnostic value as 5.8 and the specificity and sensitivity as 97.4% and 52.5%. The calibration curve showed that the nomogram prediction model had good distinction for high risk recipients in overall survival and tumor recurrence free survival. Conclusion:Donor liver CIT ≥8 hours, GRWR ≥2.5%, recipient tumor diameter ≥8 cm and recipient preoperative AFP ≥400 μg/L are independent risk factors influencing the overall survival of recipients who underwent LT for HCC using steatotic donor liver and donor liver CIT ≥8 hours, GRWR ≥2.5%, recipient tumor diameter ≥8 cm, recipient tumor number ≥ 3 and recipient preoperative AFP ≥400 μg/L are independent risk factors influencing the tumor recurrence free survival of recipients.