Objective To compare the diagnostic significance of pleural SLPI,IFN-γ and ADA for differenti-ating TPE from pleural effusions with the other etiologies. Methods Pleural effusion samples were obtained from 93 patients who were divided into the following groups: tuberculous pleural effusion,malignant pleural effusion, bacterial pleural effusion and transudative pleural effusion. The pleural effusion and/or serum levels of SLPI , IFN-γand ADA were determined. Results 1.The concentrations of SLPI, IFN-γand ADA in tuberculous pleural effusion was higher than that in malignant group, bacterial group and transudative group. 2. The diagnostic value of SLPI, IFN-γor ADA for the diagnosis of tuberculous PE is high respectively. The combinations of SLPI, IFN-γand/or ADA gained the more valuable diagnostic performance. Conclusion Pleural SLPI, IFN-γand ADA may be helpful for the differential diagnosis of tuberculous pleural effusion and the other pleural effusion. The combinations of SLPI or/and IFN-γor/and ADA further increased diagnostic value.

Objective:To investigate clinical features, imaging characteristics, etiology, and potential mechanisms of medullary "comma-shaped" infarctions.Methods:Patients with common-shaped infarction treated at Weihai Central Hospital Affiliated to Qingdao University from January 2020 to September 2023 were retrospectively collected, and their clinical manifestations, imaging findings, treatment, and outcome were analyzed and summarized.Results:A total of 9 patients with medullary common-shaped infarction were enrolled, including 3 males, aged 67.22±14.66 years (ranging from 39 to 83 years). Main clinical symptoms and signs included the decreased pain and temperature sensation on the contralateral limb (66.67%, 6/9), coughing or choking while drinking liquids/dysphagia (66.67%, 6/9), ipsilateral pharyngopalatine muscle paralysis (66.67%, 6/9), and dizziness (66.67%, 6/9). Seven patients (77.78%, 7/9) had severe stenosis or occlusion at the ipsilateral vertebral artery, one (11.11%, 1/9) had occlusion at the left middle cerebral artery, and one (11.11%, 1/9) did not have large vessel stenosis. At 90 days after onset, the follow-up showed that the modified Rankin Scale scores were all <2.Conclusions:Medullary comma-shaped infarctions are rare in clinical practice, its main manifestations include the decreased pain and temperature sensation on the contralateral limb, coughing or choking while drinking liquids/dysphagia, ipsilateral pharyngopalatine muscle paralysis, dizziness, etc. The pathogenesis is mainly hypoperfusion caused by vertebral artery stenosis.