Objective To explore the tutorial system of biomedical engineering students in medical colleges and universities,and provide useful references for the implementation of undergraduate tutorial system in medical colleges and universities in China.Methods Based on the compulsory professional knowledge and skills of biomedical engineering students,the undergraduate tutorial system of biomedical engineering specialty was analyzed and summarized with thatof School of Biomedical Engineering of the Fourth Military Medical University taken as an example.Results The necessity,problems and new mode were pointed out for the undergraduate tutorial system of biomedical engineering specialty.Conclusion The implementation of undergraduate tutorial system is a new idea of deepening the reform of undergraduate education in biomedical engineering specialty,and is of important significance to improve the professional skills of students.

Salivary analysis can be used to assess the severity of caries. Of the known salivary proteins, a paucity of information exists concerning the role of proteinase 3 (PR3), a serine protease of the chymotrypsin family, in dental caries. Whole, unstimulated saliva was collected from children with varying degrees of active caries and tested using a Human Protease Array Kit and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A significantly decreased concentration of salivary PR3 was noted with increasing severity of dental caries (P<0.01); a positive correlation (r=0.87; P<0.01; Pearson's correlation analysis) was also observed between salivary pH and PR3 concentration. In an antibacterial test, a PR3 concentration of 250 ng·mL⁻¹ or higher significantly inhibited Streptococcus mutans UA159 growth after 12 h of incubation (P<0.05). These studies indicate that PR3 is a salivary factor associated with the severity of dental caries, as suggested by the negative relationship between salivary PR3 concentration and the severity of caries as well as the susceptibility of S. mutans to PR3.
Child ; Dental Caries ; enzymology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Myeloblastin ; metabolism ; Saliva ; enzymology

Objective:To report our experience in the admission and perioperative management of 88 patients with lower extremity fracture in a mildly affected area in the epidemic of COVID-19.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted of the 88 patients with 97 lower extremity fractures who had been admitted to Department of Orthopedic Trauma, Honghui Hospital Affiliated to Xi'an Jiaotong University College of Medicine from 23rd January, 2020 to 22nd February, 2020. They were 43 males and 45 females, aged from 15 to 95 years (average, 65.5 years). The patients underwent screening for COVID-19 infection before admission. Their fractures were located at the femoral neck in 33 cases and at the femoral trochanter in 26. Open reduction and internal fixation was performed for 29 cases, internal fixation with proximal femoral nail anti-rotation (PFNA) for 25 and hip replacement for 28. The time from injury to admission, time from admission to surgery, operation time, fracture reduction, hospital stay, and perioperative deep venous thrombosis (DVT) of lower limbs were recorded. COVID-19 infection was observed in the medical staff and patients as well.Results:All the 88 patients were COVID-19 negative in the screening before admission. The time from injury to admission averaged 4.5 days, the time from admission to surgery 3.7 days and hospital stay 6.6 days. The prostheses were all well located in the 28 patients undergoing hip replacement. The rate of functional and anatomic reduction was 94.2%(65/69) in the 69 patients undergoing internal fixation. Peri-operatively, DVT occurred in 25 cases (28.4%). High temperature was observed in 7 patients within 3 days after operation, which was diagnosed as absorption fever. No medical staff or patients were infected by COVID-19.Conclusion:In the epidemic of COVID-19, orthopedic surgeons in a medical institute in a mildly affected area can still provide effective and safe medical services for fracture patients and reduce nosocomial infection, as long as they comprehend the diagnosis and treatment guidelines for the epidemic, strictly screen the patients accordingly, stick to operative indications, protect against possible infection cautiously, and carry out the procedures in a standard manner.

Objective To predict the monthly reported echinococcosis cases in China with the autoregressive integrated mov-ing average(ARIMA)model,so as to provide a reference for prevention and control of echinococcosis. Methods SPSS 24.0 software was used to construct the ARIMA models based on the monthly reported echinococcosis cases of time series from 2007 to 2015 and 2007 to 2014,respectively,and the accuracies of the two ARIMA models were compared. Results The model based on the data of the monthly reported cases of echinococcosis in China from 2007 to 2015 was ARIMA(1,0,0)(1,1, 0)12,the relative error among reported cases and predicted cases was-13.97%,AR(1)=0.367(t=3.816,P<0.001),SAR (1)=-0.328(t=-3.361,P=0.001),and Ljung-Box Q=14.119(df=16,P=0.590).The model based on the data of the monthly reported cases of echinococcosis in China from 2007 to 2014 was ARIMA(1,0,0)(1,0,1)12,the relative error among reported cases and predicted cases was 0.56%,AR(1)=0.413(t=4.244,P<0.001),SAR(1)=0.809(t=9.584, P<0.001),SMA(1)=0.356(t=2.278,P=0.025),and Ljung-Box Q=18.924(df=15,P=0.217).Conclusions The different time series may have different ARIMA models as for the same infectious diseases.It is needed to be further verified that the more data are accumulated,the shorter time of predication is,and the smaller the average of the relative error is.The estab-lishment and prediction of an ARIMA model is a dynamic process that needs to be adjusted and optimized continuously accord-ing to the accumulated data,meantime,we should give full consideration to the intensity of the work related to infectious diseas-es reported(such as disease census and special investigation).

As an interdisciplinary subject of medicine and artificial intelligence, intelligent diagnosis and treatment has received extensive attention. The standardization of Chinese medicine (CM) diagnosis has been always a bottleneck in the modernization and globalization of CM. Studying the application technology of artificial intelligence in CM and solving the problems is an urgent need for the development of modern CM in the era of artificial intelligence. Taking the pneumonia with dyspnea and cough in CM as an example, this article gives an overview of intelligent medical technology and application development, brings forward the present technical problems faced and the new advances in intelligent technology on CM diagnosis and treatment.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the response of (131)I therapy and to explore the influencing factors in non-metastatic differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) patients with preablative stimulated thyroglobulin (ps-Tg) above 10 ng/ml.

METHODSThe study included 157 DTC patients who had undergone total or near total thyroidectomy and subsequent (131)I therapy with ps-Tg>10 ng/ml, and they were divided into 3 groups as excellent response (ER, 49 cases), acceptable response (AR, 36 cases), and incomplete response (IR, 72 cases) according to the response to (131)I therapy. We compared the clinicopathologic features and ps-Tg levels among 3 groups, as well as ps-Tg levels between IR and non-IR groups. The ROC curve was employed to evaluate the predictive value of ps-Tg levels in (131)I therapy responses.

RESULTSThe three groups showed significant difference in ps-Tg levels (H=35.142, P<0.001), gender (χ(2)=6.82, P=0.033), extrathyroid invasion (H=31.380, P<0.001), and lymph metastases (H=14.375, P=0.001). The ps-Tg level in IR is higher than that in non-IR (U=1384.5, P<0.001), while it was not significantly different between ER and AR (U=771.5, P=0.326). The diagnostic critical point (DCP) of ps-Tg to differentiate IR and non-IR was 28.3 ng/ml (sensitivity 57.5%, specificity 87.1%), with a corresponding area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.774 (95%CI: 0.701-0.847).

CONCLUSIONSNear-half (45.86%) non-metastatic DTC patients with ps-Tg above 10 ng/ml are more susceptible to IR. The level of ps-Tg>28.3 ng/ml may be a useful and sensitive diagnostic marker for predicting incomplete response.

Area Under Curve ; Cell Differentiation ; Humans ; Iodine Radioisotopes ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; ROC Curve ; Thyroglobulin ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; Thyroidectomy

Background:Previous studies have found that schoolchildren with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) showed difficulties in neuropsychological function. This study aimed to assess neuropsychological function in Chinese preschoolers with ADHD using broad neuropsychological measures and rating scales and to test whether the pattern and severity of neuropsychological weakness differed among ADHD presentations in preschool children.

Methods:The 226 preschoolers (163 with ADHD and 63 controls) with the age of 4-5 years were included and assessed using the Behavior Rating Scale of Executive Function-Preschool Version (BRIEF-P) and a series of tests to investigate neuropsychological function.

ResultsPreschoolers with ADHD showed higher scores in all domains of the BRIEF-P (inhibition: 30.64 ± 5.78 vs.20.69 ± 3.86, P < 0.001; shift: 13.40 ± 3.03 vs.12.41 ± 2.79, P = 0.039; emotional control:15.10 ± 3.53 vs.12.20 ± 2.46, P < 0.001; working memory: 28.41 ± 4.99 vs.20.95 ± 4.60, P < 0.001; plan/organize: 17.04 ± 3.30 vs.13.29 ± 2.40, P < 0.001) and lower scores of Statue (23.18 ± 7.84 vs.28.27 ± 3.18, P = 0.001), Word Generation (15.22 ± 6.52 vs.19.53 ± 7.69, P = 0.025), Comprehension of Instructions (14.00 ± 4.44 vs.17.02 ± 3.39, P = 0.016), Visuomotor Precision (P < 0.050), Toy delay (P = 0.048), and Matrices tasks (P = 0.011), compared with normal control. In terms of the differences among ADHD subtypes, all ADHD presentations had higher scores in several domains of the BRIEF-P (P < 0.001), and the ADHD-combined symptoms (ADHD-C) group had the poorest ratings on inhibition and the ability to Plan/Organize. For neuropsychological measures, the results suggested that the ADHD-C group had poorer performances than the ADHD-predominantly inattentive symptoms (ADHD-I) group on Statue tasks (F = 7.34, η = 0.12, P < 0.001). Furthermore, the ADHD-hyperactive/impulsive symptoms group had significantly poorer performances compared to the ADHD-C group in the Block Construction task (F = 4.89, η = 0.067, P = 0.003). However, no significant group differences were found between the ADHD-I group and normal control.

Conclusion:Based on the combined evaluation of performance-based neuropsychological tests and the BRIEF-P, preschoolers with ADHD show difficulties of neuropsychological function in many aspects.

Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity ; physiopathology ; Behavior Rating Scale ; Child, Preschool ; Executive Function ; physiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Neuropsychological Tests

BACKGROUND: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a chronic systemic autoimmune disease, is characterized by synovitis and progressive damage to the bone and cartilage of the joints, leading to disability and reduced quality of life. This study was a randomized clinical trial comparing the outcomes between withdrawal and dose reduction of tofacitinib in patients with RA who achieved sustained disease control. METHODS: The study was designed as a multicenter, open-label, randomized controlled trial. Eligible patients who were taking tofacitinib (5 mg twice daily) and had achieved sustained RA remission or low disease activity (disease activity score in 28 joints [DAS28] ≤3.2) for at least 3 months were enrolled at six centers in Shanghai, China. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1:1) to one of three treatment groups: continuation of tofacitinib (5 mg twice daily); reduction in tofacitinib dose (5 mg daily); and withdrawal of tofacitinib. Efficacy and safety were assessed up to 6 months. RESULTS: Overall, 122 eligible patients were enrolled, with 41 in the continuation group, 42 in the dose-reduction group, and 39 in the withdrawal group. After 6 months, the percentage of patients with a DAS28-erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) of <3.2 was significantly lower in the withdrawal group than that in the reduction and continuation groups (20.5%, 64.3%, and 95.1%, respectively; P  < 0.0001 for both comparisons). The average flare-free time was 5.8 months for the continuation group, 4.7 months for the dose reduction group, and 2.4 months for the withdrawal group. CONCLUSION: Withdrawal of tofacitinib in patients with RA with stable disease control resulted in a rapid and significant loss of efficacy, while standard or reduced doses of tofacitinib maintained a favorable state. TRIAL REGISTRATION Chictr.org, ChiCTR2000039799.
Humans ; Quality of Life ; China ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy* ; Piperidines/therapeutic use* ; Treatment Outcome ; Antirheumatic Agents/therapeutic use* ; Pyrroles/therapeutic use*

A chemical investigation on the aerial parts of Hypericum perforatum resulted in the isolation of a new phloroglucinol derivatives (1), and seven known compounds (2-8). The structures of the compounds were elucidated by means of spectroscopic methods (MS, IR, 1D NMR, and 2D NMR) as 3-methyl-4,6-di (3- methyl-2-butenyl)-3-(4-methyl-3-pentenyl)-2-(2-ethyl-1-oxobutyl)-cyclohexanone (1)，hyperforin (2)，(2R,3R,4S,6)-3-methyl-4,6-di(3-methyl-2-butenyl)-2-(2-methyl-1-oxo-propyl)-3-(4-methyl-3-pentenyl)-cyclohexanone (3)，hyperscabrin B (4)，hyperscabrin C (5)，furohyperforin isomer 1 (6)，furoadhyperforin (7)，and furohyperforin (8). Compound 1 was a new compound, and compounds 3-5 were obtained from H. perforatum for the first time.

Objective To investigate the prevalence and risk factors of Blastocystis hominis infections among patients with HIV/AIDS in Fuyang City, Anhui Province. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in Fuyang City, Anhui Province in 2016. The demographic and socioeconomic status, and the lifestyle and production style were collected using a questionnaire survey. B. hominis DNA was detected in subjects’stool samples using a PCR assay, and the CD4+ T lymphocyte count and HIV viral load were measured in the subjects’ blood samples. The risk factors of B. hominis infections among patients with HIV/AIDS were identified using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Results A total of 398 HIV/AIDS patients were enrolled in this study, with a mean age of 49.3 years, a mean body weight of 55.9 kg and a mean height of 164.4 cm. The prevalence of B. hominis infection was 6.78% in the study subjects, and no gender- (χ² = 1.589, P = 0.207), education level- (χ² =0.508, P = 0.776), marital status- (χ² = 0.419, P = 0.811) or occupation-specific prevalence (χ² = 2.744, P = 0.615) was detected. Among the patients with HIV/AIDS, there were no significant differences in the age (t = 0.370, P = 0.712), height (t = 1.587, P =0.113), body weight (t = 0.516, P = 0.606), CD4⁺ T lymphocyte count (t = 1.187, P = 0.230) or HIV viral load (t = 0.193, P =0.496) between B. hominis-infected and uninfected individuals. Dinking non-tap water [OR = 6.554, 95% CI: (1.876 to 22.903)] and keeping dogs [OR = 5.895, 95% CI: (2.017 to 17.225)] were identified as risk factors for B. hominis infection in patients with HIV/AIDS. Conclusion The prevalence of B. hominis infection is high in HIV/AIDS patients, and drinking non-tap water and keeping dogs are risk factors for B. hominis infection among HIV/AIDS patients.