ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy and safety of Tianmeng Lingjiao Formula（天礞羚角方， TLF） as an adjunctive therapy for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation （PAF） with phlegm-heat harassing the interior syndrome. MethodsNinety patients with PAF and phlegm-heat harassing the interior syndrome were enrolled and randomly assigned in a 2∶1 ratio to test group （60 cases） and control group （30 cases）. The control group received conventional western medicine， while the test group received TLF in addition to the conventional treatment， with one dose administered daily. The treatment course for both groups was 4 weeks. The efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） syndrome and the rate of atrial fibrillation （AF） conversion were compared between groups. Assessments included AF burden， frequency and duration of AF episodes， TCM syndrome scores， and European Heart Rhythm Association （EHRA） AF symptom classification before and after treatment. Safety indicators such as blood routine， urine routine， stool routine， liver function， kidney function， and electrolytes were also monitored. Adverse events were recorded. ResultsA total of 82 patients completed the study （54 in the test group and 28 in the control group）. After treatment， AF burden， the frequency and duration of AF episodes， and TCM syndrome scores were significantly reduced in both groups， and the test group showed lower indicators than the control group （P＜0.01 or P＜0.05）. The AF conversion rate was 25.93% （14/54） in the test group， significantly higher than 3.57% （1/28） in the control group （P＜0.05）. The total effective rate for TCM syndrome efficacy was 83.33% （45/54） in the test group， which was significantly higher than 67.86% （19/28） in the control group （P＜0.05）. After treatment， the EHRA atrial fibrillation symptom severity in the test group showed significant improvement， and the improvement in atrial fibrillation symptoms was superior to that in the control group （P＜0.01or P＜0.05）. No significant abnormalities were observed in safety indicators， and no adverse events occurred during the trial. ConclusionTLF as an adjunctive therapy can reduce AF burden， enhance the conversion rate of AF， decrease the frequency and duration of episodes， and improve clinical symptoms in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation presenting with phlegm-heat harassing the interior syndrome， with a favorable safety profile.

This study analyzes the global patents development and clinical applications of photon counting CT (PCCT) technology in the past 20 years, including the trends of global patent application, the patent portfolio planning, key innovations and technological evolution of top medical device companies. The study utilizes patent retrievals in incoPat database, and then carries out patent navigation analysis. At the same time, with reports of clinical trials and research, the advantages and prospects of PCCT in clinical diagnosis are sorted out. With the rapid growth of the number of patent applications for PCCT, the technologies and clinical trials are becoming increasingly mature. It is expected that in the next few years, more PCCT products will be launched to the market, bringing a more accurate and safe diagnostic experience to radiologists and patients.
Patents as Topic ; Photons ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Humans

Objective To investigate the epidemiological trend of human intestinal helminth infections in Yancheng City,Ji?angsu Province from 2006 to 2015,so as to provide the evidence for formulating further control strategies. Methods The sur?veillance data of human intestinal helminth infections were collected and analyzed in Yancheng City from 2006 to 2015. Re?sults From 2006 to 2015,110 746 person?times of residents in Yancheng City were surveyed in Yancheng City,and 1 732 samples were positive of human intestinal helminth infections. The infection rate of human intestinal helminthes was highest in 2006[4.59%(410/8 941)],and lowest in 2013[0.19%(23/12 165)]. The infection rate of human intestinal helminthes was significantly decreased over time(χ2=27.78,P<0.001). The human infection rates of Ascaris lumbricoides,hook worm and Trichuris trichura were all decreased over time(Z=-27.75,-22.23 and-16.17,all P<0.001)from 2006 to 2015,with the re?duction rates of 96.57%,92.31%and 96.47%,respectively. The average EPG of A. lumbricoides,hook worm and T. trichura were 2 534,360 and 154 respectively,and 1 694(97.81%)cases were light infections. Totally 1 174 cases of Enterobius vermic?ularis were found in children under 12 years old,and the cases were decreased over time(χ2 =12.46,P<0.001). Conclu?sions The infection rate of human intestinal helminthes in Yancheng City decreases over time from 2006 to 2015,and the con?trol work is effective. The control work of focus groups and environmental management and health education should be strength?ened in the future.

Objective To establish a simple method to extract the methylated ctDNA in urine using magnetic beads as solid phase adsorption carri?er with a specific design reagent system and extraction process,and evaluate its application feasibility for methylated gene detection in urine sample . Methods Fourty cases of methylated ctDNA were extracted in urine using magnetic beads. After methylated modification,the concentration and pu?rity of DNA was determined by ultraviolet spectrophotometer. Results The extraction of 50 mL urine can gain 61?200 ng/mL methylated ctDNA, and the OD260/280 was 1.8 ± 0.05. Conclusion There are methylated ctDNA exist in the urine which can be extracted by magnetic beads. The estab?lished extraction method is simple,effective,and with high purity.

Objective To explore the method of Oncomelania hupensis snail surveillance in transmission?interrupted re?gions of schistosomiasis,so as to provide a new pattern for the surveillance of snail status in the transmission?interrupted areas. Methods In Dongtai County,north of Jiangsu Province where the transmission of schistosomiasis was interrupted,the surveil?lance of snail status was performed by means of the village?level general survey,village?level sampling survey,snail survey in key settings of township and county,and snail reporting by residents. In addition,quality?control snail sites were set up for quali?ty control. The effectiveness and cost of the four methods of snail surveillance was compared. Results A total of 163 079 set?tings and 22 785.62 hm2 were surveyed in Dongtai County from 2008 to 2013,and 89 residual snail breeding sites were found, with a snail area of 1.48 hm2. The patterns of village?level general survey,village?level sampling survey,and snail survey in key settings of township and county were employed for investigation of 94 550,45 033 and 23 496 settings,consisting of 57.98%, 27.61%and 14.41%of total settings,and 2,0 and 6 settings were found with snails,with 0.021/thousand,0,and 0.255/thou?sand detection rates of settings with snail breading sites,respectively. The pattern of snail survey in key settings of township and county was more effective than that of village?level survey to detect snail breeding sites(χ2 =19.158,P=0). The recovery rate of quality?control snail breeding sites was 52.56%,38.27%and 73.62%for the three patterns of snail survey,respectively,and the pattern of snail survey in key settings of township and county showed a higher quality for snail survey than that of village?lev?el survey(χ2 =111.597 and 85.991,both P=0). During the period from 2008 to 2013,289 person?times reported 279 sus?pected snail habitats and 1 501 living snails,and no Oncomelania snails were found. During the 6?year period,there were 1617.5,964.7 and 527.7 thousand RMB invested for village?level general survey,village?level sampling survey,and snail sur?vey in key settings of township and county,and the cost of snail survey per hm2 was 129.88,133.6 and 162.57 RMB/hm2,re?spectively. The cost of village?level general survey and snail survey in key settings of township and county to detect a snail?breed?ing site was 808 800 and 88 000 RMB,respectively(t=12.850,P=0.000),and the cost of snail survey in key settings of town?ship and county was 10.88%of that of village?level general survey. Conclusion The snail survey in key settings of township and county is a highly effective and high?quality method for snail surveillance,which may serve as a prior way for the surveil?lance of snail status in the transmission?interrupted areas of schistosomiasis.