ObjectiveTo investigate the short-term efficacy and safety of different doses of Botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) injected under ultrasound guidance combined with modified catheter-balloon localization for post-stroke cricopharyngeal dysfunction (CPD), and to explore a relatively appropriate dose. MethodsA total of 136 patients with post-stroke CPD admitted to Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province from December, 2023 to February, 2026 were randomly assigned into control group, 50 U group, 70 U group and 100 U group, with 34 patients in each group. The control group received conventional rehabilitation, whereas the three BTX-A groups received conventional rehabilitation plus the corresponding dose of BTX-A injected under ultrasound guidance combined with modified catheter-balloon localization. Videofluoroscopic Swallowing Study (VFSS) scores, Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS) scores, Yale Pharyngeal Residue Severity Rating Scale (YPR-SRS) grades, Murray Secretion Severity Scale (MSS) grades and ultrasonographic parameters were compared before and two weeks after intervention. ResultsAfter intervention, FOIS scores improved significantly in all groups (|Z| > 2.843, P < 0.01), and YPR-SRS and MSS grades also showed significant improvements in all BTX-A groups (|Z| > 4.147, P < 0.001). Pairwise comparisons revealed that the order of improvement from best to worst for FOIS, YPR-SRS and MSS grades was the 100 U group, followed by 70 U group, and then 50 U group (P < 0.05). For VFSS scores, the effect of time, group and interaction were all significant (F > 9.68, P < 0.001); pairwise comparisons showed that 100 U group achieved the best outcomes (P < 0.001). Regarding the activity and velocity of the geniohyoid muscle, the effects of time, group and interaction were also significant (F > 7.34, P < 0.001); pairwise comparisons indicated that 100 U group outperformed the other groups in both activity and velocity (P < 0.001). For hyoid bone displacement distance and shortening rate, the effects of time and interaction were significant (F > 3.07, P < 0.05), and the main effects of time on duration and velocity were significant (P < 0.01); pairwise comparisons showed that the 100 U group had superior displacement distance and shortening rate compared to the other groups (P < 0.05). During the treatment and follow-up periods, no serious adverse event occurred in any group. ConclusionUltrasound-guided BTX-A injection assisted by modified catheter-balloon localization may further improve short-term swallowing function in patients with post-stroke CPD， with a dosage of 100 U.

Objective:To investigate the completion rate of tumor evaluation at initial assessment and after neoadjuvant therapy for mid and low rectal cancer patients in the national multicenter real-world database.Methods:The prospective real-world study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 1 074 patients who underwent surgical treatment for mid and low rectal cancer in 47 national medical institutions, including Peking Union Medical College Hospital et al, from May 12,2023 to May 11,2024 were collected. Observation indicators: (1) clinical characteristics of patients with mid and low rectal cancer; (2) initial colonoscopy and pathologic evaluation of tumors in patients with mid and low rectal cancer; (3) initial imaging evaluation of patients with mid and low rectal cancer; (4) imaging evaluation after neoadjuvant therapy for patients with mid and low rectal cancer. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean± SD, and measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M( Q1, Q3). Count data were described as absoluter numbers and/or percentages. Results:(1) Clinical characteristics of patients with mid and low rectal cancer. Of the 1 074 patients, there were 713 males and 361 females, aged 63(56,70)years. The body mass index of 1 074 patients was 24(21,26)kg/m 2.For American Society of Anesthesiologists classification, there were 147 cases of stage Ⅰ, 641 cases of stage Ⅱ, 157 cases of stage Ⅲ, 2 cases of stage Ⅳ, and there were 127 cases missing data. (2) Initial colonoscopy and pathologic evaluation of tumors in patients with mid and low rectal cancer. Of the 1 074 patients, there were 787 cases (73.28%) undergoing complete colonoscopy, and there were only 197 cases (18.34%) undergoing immunohistochemical evaluation of all four mismatch repair proteins. (3) Initial imaging evaluation of patients with mid and low rectal cancer. Of the 1 074 patients, there were 842(78.40%) patients completing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or ultrasound evaluation, and there were 914(85.10%) patients completing chest, abdomen, and pelvis enhanced computed tomography (CT) evaluation. In the 149 patients completing rectal ultrasound evaluation, there were 122 cases (81.88%) comple-ting T staging evaluation, and there were 81 cases (54.36%) completing N staging evaluation. In the 808 patients completing rectal MRI evaluation, there were 708 cases (87.62%) completing T staging evaluation, and there were 590 cases (73.02%) completing N staging evaluation. (4) Imaging evalua-tion after neoadjuvant therapy for patients with mid and low rectal cancer. Of the 388 patients with neoadjuvant therapy, there were 332 patients (85.57%) completing MRI or ultrasound evaluation, and there were 327 patients (84.28%) completing chest, abdomen, and pelvis enhanced CT evalua-tion. In the 70 patients completing rectal ultrasound evaluation, there were 65 cases (92.86%) com-pleting T staging evaluation, and there were 49 cases (70.00%) completing N staging evaluation. In the 327 patients completing rectal MRI evaluation, there were 246 cases (75.23%) completing T staging, and there were 228 cases (69.72%) completing N staging evaluation. Conclusion:The com-pletion rate of tumor imaging evaluation at initial assessment and after neoadjuvant therapy for mid and low rectal cancer patients on a national scale is relatively good.

Medical ultrasound technology is widely used for diagnosis and therapy in clinical practice.Ultrasound probes,which are directly contact with patients,pose a potential risk of pathogen transmission.This expert consen-sus was developed by a multidisciplinary team based on international guidelines,standards in China,and the results of a national survey,aiming to reduce the risk of healthcare-associated infection through standardizing reprocessing of medical ultrasound probes,and formulating consensus recommendations with the Delphi method.The consensus clarifies the reprocessing principles for three types of ultrasound probes of different infection risks:external-use ul-trasound probes,interventional percutaneous ultrasound probes,and internal-use ultrasound probes,puts forward systematic suggestions on the reprocessing standards and disinfection levels of ultrasound probe isolation covers and coupling agents,the reprocessing procedures and methods of ultrasound probes,as well as architectural layout and management of reprocessing,so as to provide a scientific prevention and control framework for ensuring ultrasound diagnosis and therapy safety.

Objective:To understand the status of bone health literacy in middle-aged and older female breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and analyze its influencing factors using structural equation modeling.Methods:A convenience sampling method was used to select 250 middle-aged and older breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy in two tertiary hospitals in Xi'an from May to October 2024. Patients were surveyed using a general information questionnaire, the Bone Health Literacy Scale for Middle-Aged and Older Women, the Perceived Social Support Scale, and the General Self-Efficacy Scale. Pearson correlation analysis was used to examine the correlations among bone health literacy, perceived social support, and self-efficacy.Results:A total of 250 questionnaires were distributed, and 239 valid questionnaires were recovered, yielding an effective response rate of 95.6% (239/250). The mean score of the Bone Health Literacy Scale among the 239 patients was (39.71±8.16). Bone health literacy was positively correlated with perceived social support and self-efficacy ( P<0.01). Perceived social support directly affected bone health literacy and could also indirectly influence it through general self-efficacy, with an indirect effect value of 0.367, accounting for 45.2% of the total effect (0.367/0.812) . Conclusions:Healthcare professionals should implement effective interventions to enhance patients' perceived social support and strengthen their self-efficacy, thereby improving bone health literacy.

Objective To evaluate the impact of healthcare-associated infection(HAI)control culture construction on the hand hygiene(HH)compliance of health care workers(HCWs),and provide a basis for strengthening HAI management.Methods HCWs in a hospital in Xi'an City were selected as the research objects.On the occasion of World HH Day,a series of publicity activities on HH as well as HAI prevention and control were held.Pre-activi-ties period was April 1-30,2024.During May 1-31,2024,a series of publicity activities on HH as well as HAI prevention and control were carried out.The post-activities investigation period was June 1-30,2024.During De-cember 1-31,2024,HH compliance survey was carried out in batches in the whole hospital(including key depart-ments).HH compliance at different stages was compared.Results After a series of publicity activities on HH as well as HAI prevention and control,HCWs'HH compliance rate was improved.HH compliance rate of nursing staff increased from 70.15％to 85.11％;HH compliance rate of HCWs before contacting with patients increased from 47.83％to 78.38％;both with statistically significant difference(both P＜0.05).During December 1-31,2024,a batch survey on HH compliance of the whole hospital(including key departments)showed that the HH compliance rates of medical and nursing staff in key departments were higher than those of the whole hospital,and the differences were statistically significant(all P＜0.05).HH compliance rates before aseptic operation and after contacting with patients in key departments were both higher than those of the whole hospital,and the differences were statistically significant(all P＜0.05).Conclusion Publicity activities on HH as well as HAI prevention con-trol can improve HH compliance rate of HCWs.HAI managers should pay more attention to the general depart-ments and improve HH compliance rate of HCWs.

Objective:To understand the status of bone health literacy in middle-aged and older female breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and analyze its influencing factors using structural equation modeling.Methods:A convenience sampling method was used to select 250 middle-aged and older breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy in two tertiary hospitals in Xi'an from May to October 2024. Patients were surveyed using a general information questionnaire, the Bone Health Literacy Scale for Middle-Aged and Older Women, the Perceived Social Support Scale, and the General Self-Efficacy Scale. Pearson correlation analysis was used to examine the correlations among bone health literacy, perceived social support, and self-efficacy.Results:A total of 250 questionnaires were distributed, and 239 valid questionnaires were recovered, yielding an effective response rate of 95.6% (239/250). The mean score of the Bone Health Literacy Scale among the 239 patients was (39.71±8.16). Bone health literacy was positively correlated with perceived social support and self-efficacy ( P<0.01). Perceived social support directly affected bone health literacy and could also indirectly influence it through general self-efficacy, with an indirect effect value of 0.367, accounting for 45.2% of the total effect (0.367/0.812) . Conclusions:Healthcare professionals should implement effective interventions to enhance patients' perceived social support and strengthen their self-efficacy, thereby improving bone health literacy.

Objective:To investigate the completion rate of tumor evaluation at initial assessment and after neoadjuvant therapy for mid and low rectal cancer patients in the national multicenter real-world database.Methods:The prospective real-world study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 1 074 patients who underwent surgical treatment for mid and low rectal cancer in 47 national medical institutions, including Peking Union Medical College Hospital et al, from May 12,2023 to May 11,2024 were collected. Observation indicators: (1) clinical characteristics of patients with mid and low rectal cancer; (2) initial colonoscopy and pathologic evaluation of tumors in patients with mid and low rectal cancer; (3) initial imaging evaluation of patients with mid and low rectal cancer; (4) imaging evaluation after neoadjuvant therapy for patients with mid and low rectal cancer. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean± SD, and measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M( Q1, Q3). Count data were described as absoluter numbers and/or percentages. Results:(1) Clinical characteristics of patients with mid and low rectal cancer. Of the 1 074 patients, there were 713 males and 361 females, aged 63(56,70)years. The body mass index of 1 074 patients was 24(21,26)kg/m 2.For American Society of Anesthesiologists classification, there were 147 cases of stage Ⅰ, 641 cases of stage Ⅱ, 157 cases of stage Ⅲ, 2 cases of stage Ⅳ, and there were 127 cases missing data. (2) Initial colonoscopy and pathologic evaluation of tumors in patients with mid and low rectal cancer. Of the 1 074 patients, there were 787 cases (73.28%) undergoing complete colonoscopy, and there were only 197 cases (18.34%) undergoing immunohistochemical evaluation of all four mismatch repair proteins. (3) Initial imaging evaluation of patients with mid and low rectal cancer. Of the 1 074 patients, there were 842(78.40%) patients completing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or ultrasound evaluation, and there were 914(85.10%) patients completing chest, abdomen, and pelvis enhanced computed tomography (CT) evaluation. In the 149 patients completing rectal ultrasound evaluation, there were 122 cases (81.88%) comple-ting T staging evaluation, and there were 81 cases (54.36%) completing N staging evaluation. In the 808 patients completing rectal MRI evaluation, there were 708 cases (87.62%) completing T staging evaluation, and there were 590 cases (73.02%) completing N staging evaluation. (4) Imaging evalua-tion after neoadjuvant therapy for patients with mid and low rectal cancer. Of the 388 patients with neoadjuvant therapy, there were 332 patients (85.57%) completing MRI or ultrasound evaluation, and there were 327 patients (84.28%) completing chest, abdomen, and pelvis enhanced CT evalua-tion. In the 70 patients completing rectal ultrasound evaluation, there were 65 cases (92.86%) com-pleting T staging evaluation, and there were 49 cases (70.00%) completing N staging evaluation. In the 327 patients completing rectal MRI evaluation, there were 246 cases (75.23%) completing T staging, and there were 228 cases (69.72%) completing N staging evaluation. Conclusion:The com-pletion rate of tumor imaging evaluation at initial assessment and after neoadjuvant therapy for mid and low rectal cancer patients on a national scale is relatively good.

Objective To explore the clinical effect of applying an improved"outside-in"technique in hip arthroscopic surgery.Methods Totally 136 patients undergoing hip arthroscopic surgery between June 2021 and July 2023 were selected and studied retrospectively.According to their different surgi-cal approach,they were divided into a modified approach group(n=75,including 30 males and 45 fe-males,with an average age of 36±14)and a classic approach group(n=61,including 33 males and 28 females,with an average age of 31±11).Before as well as 4 weeks,3 months and 6 months after the surgery,both groups were evaluated using the visual analog scale(VAS)and Harris hip score,and observed their surgical complications.Moreover,the surgical outcomes and time of sur-gical approach establishment were compared between the two groups.Results There was no significant difference between the two groups in general information,preoperative VAS and Harris scores.More-over,no significant difference was found between the two groups in the Harris score after surgery.Compared with the classic approach group,the improved group had significantly less surgical time(49.0±16.9 min vs.66.0±13.3 min,P<0.05),without using the C-arm fluoroscopy during surgery.Moreover,in the modified approach group,the time for establishing the mid-anteriorapproach was sig-nificantly shortened(10.4±5.9 min vs.25.9±15.1 min,P<0.05),along with the traction time during surgery(66.0±13.3 min vs.49.0±16.9 min,P<0.05).Conclusion The modified"outside-in"hip ar-throscopy technique is a safe and effective surgical method,easier to operate,with shorter surgical time.

Fracture of humeral capitellum (FHC) in children is often detected on the coronal plane of the distal humerus.It is an intra-articular fracture, often a Salter-Harris type Ⅲ epiphyseal fracture, which is extremely rare in clinical practice and accounts for only about 1% of elbow fractures in children.This type of fracture tends to extend medially involving the trochlea, so it is also known as capitellar trochlea fracture.The rarity of this fracture makes it difficult to differentiate it from other elbow fractures on X-ray, which finally leads to miss-diagnosis or misdiagnosis as epicondylar humerus fracture or intercondylar fracture, etc.Since FHC is an intra-articular and epiphyseal fracture, inappropriate treatment will results in irreversible consequences, so the diagnosis and treatment of FHC in children are challenging.Currently, there are few studies on FHC in children, and most of related studies are case reports.Therefore, the classification and treatment of FHC in children are performed based on only the experience of FHC treatment in adults.Incisional reduction and internal fixation is the preferred treatment for most FHC children, but the efficacy of this treatment lacks the support of controlled studies with a large sample size.The mechanism of injury, staging, diagnosis, treatment, postoperative rehabilitation, and complications of pediatric FHC were reviewed in this paper to improve clinicians' understanding of pediatric FHC.

This study examined the effect of islet macrophages on β-cell function changes during type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) progression based on the traditional Chinese medicine theory that " moderate fire generating qi, hyperactive fire consuming qi" . T2DM is closely associated with chronic low-grade inflammation, with islet macrophages playing a central role in this process. Under physiological conditions, islet macrophages secrete anti-inflammatory and growth factors to regulate the immune response, promote cell proliferation, and support islet β-cell survival and function, reflecting the concept of " moderate fire generating qi" . However, during the pathological process of T2DM, islet macrophages become over-activated and dysfunctional, secreting large amounts of pro-inflammatory factors that trigger severe inflammatory responses and oxidative stress. This process damages islet β-cells, disrupts the islet microenvironment and blood supply, exacerbates local inflammation and structural damage, and worsens the survival environment of β-cells. Ultimately, this leads to fewer β-cells and function loss, aligning with the " hyperactive fire consuming qi" theory, where excessive fire depletes qi and blood. This study enhances the understanding and application of traditional Chinese medicine theories in modern medicine, offering a new perspective on T2DM prevention and treatment. Regulating islet macrophage function and reducing their pro-inflammatory responses may become key strategies for preserving β-cell function and slowing T2DM progression.