Objective To evaluate the application value of MALDI-TOF MS system in clinical routine separation microorganism by comparing two kinds of microorganism identification system MALDI-TOF MS and Vitek 2 Compact.Methods The bacterial species database of MALDI-TOF MS system and the Vitek 2 Compact system were compared,the new strains from MALDI-TOF MS library were screened out,and the number and frequency of new strains detected from May 2015 when MALDI-TOF MS was put in use to December 2016,and the frequency of detection of common pathogenic bacteria with high confidence were counted.Results There were 205 more new strains in the MALDI-TOF MS library,compared with Vitek 2 Compact.From May 2015 to December 2016,206 times were detected in clinical microbiological examination,and 286 cases if 4 kinds of clinical common pathogenic bacteria were identified by MALDI-TOF MS system with high confidence.Conclusion MALDI-TOF MS strain database is more accurate and large,which can meet the needs of clinical microbiological examination,and is suitable for wider application in clinical microbial identification.

Objective To explore the role and molecular mechanism of major vault protein (MVP) in tumor-associated macrophages in the occurrence and development of liver cancer. Methods The expression of MVP in macrophages was analyzed by bioinformatics method and multi-fluorescent immunohistochemical staining. Mice with MVP deficiency in macrophages were constructed by Cre/LoxP recombinant enzyme system. The proliferation and migration abilities of tumor cells were detected by cloning formation and Transwell migration assays. The effect of MVP in macrophages on tumorigenesis and development was investigated by mouse primary liver cancer model and subcutaneous tumor transplantation model. The effect of MVP on the tumor microenvironment was investigated by multi-fluorescent immunohistochemical staining. The effect of MVP on CD8⁺ T cells was detected by cell co-culture, flow cytometry, qPCR, and ELISA. Results The high expression of MVP in tumor-associated macrophages. The downregulation of the expression of MVP in tumor-associated macrophages compared with para-carcinoma tissues. MVP deficiency in macrophages promoted the proliferation and migration of tumor cells (P<0.05), promoted the development of tumor in vivo (P<0.05), formed an immunosuppressive microenvironment and weakened CD8⁺ T cell-mediated anti-tumor immunity (P<0.05). Conclusion MVP deficiency in macrophages can promote the occurrence and development of liver cancer by suppressing the function of CD8⁺ T cells.

Objective To evaluate the application value of percutaneous angle positioning system based on augmented reality in improving the accuracy of liver puncture.Methods A canine liver with an embedded marking ring was used as the target for puncture.A skilled physician with over 5 years of experience in liver puncture and a novice physician with limited experience in liver puncture separately performed liver puncture using either the augmented reality-based percutaneous angle localization system(navigation)or CT-guided technique alone(non-navigation).The corresponding puncturing data of non-navigation skilled group(Group A),non-navigation non-skilled group(Group B),navigation skilled group(Group C),and navigation non-skilled group(Group D)were obtained.The differences in the evaluation indicators,including the number of CT scans,number of needle adjustment,time spent for operation,and distance of error,between Group A and Group B,between Group C and Group D,between Group A and Group C,and between Group B and Group D,were analyzed.Results Statistically significant differences in the number of CT scans,number of needle adjustment,time spent for operation,and distance of error existed between Group A and Group B,between Group A and Group C,and between Group B and Group D(all P＜0.0 5),while the differences in the number of CT scans,number of needle adjustment,time spent for operation,and distance of error between Group C and Group D were not statistically significant(all P＞0.05)Conclusion In performing liver puncture,the use of percutaneous angle localization system can reduce the number of CT scans,number of needle adjustment,time spent for operation and distance of error,and improve the puncture accuracy as well,which provides a basis for the clinical utilization of this system and the employment of this system-guided puncture technology in primary hospitals.(J Intervent Radiol,2024,33:507-511)

Objective To observe the value of augmented reality(AR)navigation system for assisting CT-guided puncture of pulmonary nodules in dog models.Methods Five healthy dogs were selected,and 4 target lung rings were implanted in each dog to build pulmonary nodule models.Deferring to crossover design,CT-guided punctures were performed with or without AR navigation 2 and 4 weeks after successful modeling,respectively,while punctures with AR navigation were regarded as AR group and the others as conventional group,respectively.The time duration of puncturing,the times of CT scanning,of needle adjustment,and the deviation distance between needle pinpoint to the center of pulmonary nodule shown on three-dimensional reconstruction were compared between groups.Results The duration time of puncture in AR group and conventional group was(13.62±5.11)min and(20.16±4.76)min,respectively.In AR group,the times of CT scanning,of needle adjustment,and the deviation distance was 2.40±0.50,2.75±0.44 and(2.94±1.92)mm,respectively,while in conventional group was 3.10±0.64,3.70±0.57 and(4.90±3.38)mm,respectively.The introduction of AR navigation was helpful to shortening the duration of puncture,reducing times of CT scanning and needle adjustment,also decreasing positioning error of needle pinpoint(all P＜0.05).In contrast,the variance of puncture sequences and dogs had no obvious effect on the results(both P＞0.05).Conclusion AR navigation system could improve accuracy and efficiency in CT-guided puncture of pulmonary nodules in dog models.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the role that post-operative difference value of pelvic incidence and lumbar lordosis (PI-LL) played on loss of correction, implant failure and health-related quality of life during follow-up in degenerative scoliosis patients.

METHODSRetrospective review of 62 patients (average age (57 ± 10) years, 11 male and 51 female patients) with degenerative scoliosis who underwent one stage posterior surgical instrumentation in the affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School from January 2005 to December 2011. The mean follow-up duration was 4.2 years. Long-cassette standing upright sagittal radiographs were obtained before and after operation and at the last follow-up. At the last follow-up, visual analogue scale and Oswestry disability index were collected. Based on post-operative PI-LL, patients were divided into two groups: group A (-9° < post-operative PI-LL<9°) and group B (post-operative PI-LL < -9°or post-operative PI-LL>9°). Independent t test and χ(2) test were performed for statistical analysis. For all statistical analysis, the level of significance was set at P < 0.05.

RESULTSNo difference was observed in terms of loss of correction between two groups during follow-up. More implant failure were observed in group B (15.63% vs. 6.7%, χ(2) = 21.85, P = 0.012). In addition, patients with better PI-LL matching came with better visual analogue scale (3.9 ± 2.4 vs. 5.2 ± 3.3, F = 0.089, P = 0.024).

CONCLUSIONWorse quality of life and increased risk for implant failure during follow-up may be related to mismatched PI-LL.

Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Lordosis ; complications ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pain Measurement ; Pelvis ; Postoperative Period ; Posture ; Quality of Life ; Retrospective Studies ; Scoliosis ; complications ; physiopathology ; Spine ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate degenerative changes of the intervertebral disc and their impact on spinal flexibility in patients with degenerative lumbar scoliosis (DLS).

METHODSRetrospective analysis of 66 patients (average age 58.4 years, 10 males and 56 females) with DLS was conducted from May 2008 to February 2014. For all patients, pre-operative standing X-ray film, Bending X-ray films and thoracolumbar MRI were taken. Cobb's angle was measured in each X-ray film and intervertebral angle was measured in both standing and Bending X-ray films. All discs were graded according to Pfirrmann degeneration grades on T2 weighted saggital MRI imaging. Statistical analyses were performed to determine the correlation between intervertebral disc degeneration with the whole spine flexibility and segmental flexibility.

RESULTSFor all 66 subjects, the average Cobb's angle of pre-operative and bending X-ray film was 36° ± 13°, 21° ± 11°, respectively. The average flexibility was 45% ± 15% in our study. Totally 268 discs were graded, including gradeI8, II 68, III 83, IV 91, V 18. In the main curve, there was significant correlation between the average degree of disc degeneration and the whole spine flexibility(r = -0.727, P < 0.01). There was significant correlation between the grade of segmental disc degeneration and segmental flexibility (P < 0.01) . The apical intervertebral disc had the most degeneration (P < 0.01) and worst flexibility (P < 0.01) , compared with other discs in the main curve.

CONCLUSIONSThe degree of intervertebral disc degeneration is closely correlated with spinal flexibility in DLS. The more the disc degeneration is, the worse the spinal flexibility becomes.

Female ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Degeneration ; physiopathology ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; physiopathology ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Posture ; physiology ; Retrospective Studies ; Scoliosis ; physiopathology ; Spine ; physiopathology