Objective:To analyze the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of adult carotid body tumors (CBTs) in Northwest China to provide references for early diagnosis and treatment of CBTs.Methods:A multicenter, retrospective, non-intervention epidemiological investigation was conducted on adult CBTs patients who were hospitalized from January 1, 2011 to June 30, 2023 in 7 Class A tertiary hospitals in Northwest China (Departments of Neurosurgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University, Second Affiliated Hospital of Lanzhou University, People's Hospital of Gansu Province, 940 th Hospital of PLA Joint Logistic Support Force, People's Hospital of Qinghai Province, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, People's Hospital of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region). Medical records were collected in these patients, and they were divided into 2 groups according to their average altitude residence: high altitude group (≥1 500 m) and low altitude group (<1 500 m); meanwhile, these patients were divided into Shamblin type I, type II and type III groups according to Shamblin classification criteria; differences in general data and clinical features among patients from different altitude groups or Shamblin subgroups were compared. Independent influencing factors for Shamblin type III CBTs were analyzed by multivariate ordered Logistic regression. Results:(1) A total of 359 patients were enrolled in the study, including 276 females and 83 males, aged (48.80±12.07) years; 211 patients were into the high altitude group and 148 into the low altitude group; 165 patients were into Shamblin type I group, 146 into Shamblin type II group, and 48 into Shamblin type III group. (2) Compared with those in the low altitude group, patients in the high altitude group had higher proportion of females, older age, lower proportion of Han nationality, higher proportion of Shamblin type I, smaller tumor volume, lower platelet count, higher red blood cell count, hematocrit, hemoglobin level, platelet distribution width and mean platelet volume, and higher large platelet percentage, with significant differences ( P<0.05). (3) Compared with those in the Shamblin type I group, patients in the Shamblin type III group had younger age, lower resident altitude, larger tumor volume, longer time interval from onset to diagnosis, higher proportion of unintentional tumor discovery, larger volume of intraoperative blood loss, lower hemoglobin level, hematocrit, mean erythrocyte volume, and mean hemoglobin concentration, decreased erythrocyte distribution width variable coefficient, and increased platelet count, with significant differences ( P<0.05). Compared with those in the Shamblin type II group, patients in Shamblin type III group had younger age, larger tumor volume, longer time interval from onset to diagnosis, larger volume of intraoperative blood loss, lower hemoglobin, hematocrit and mean erythrocyte volume, higher erythrocyte distribution width variable coefficient and platelet count, with significant differences ( P<0.05). (4) Age ( OR=0.960, 95% CI: 0.942-0.977, P<0.001), residence altitude ( OR=0.992, 95% CI: 0.990-0.999, P=0.020) and time interval from onset to diagnosis ( OR=1.009, 95% CI: 1.005-1.014, P<0.001) were independent influencing factors for Shamblin type III CBTs. Conclusions:More females than males are noted in patients with adult CBTs in Northwest China, and more CBTs patients live at high altitude, with Shamblin type I enjoying the highest proportion. More female and old patients lived at high altitude is noted than those lived at low altitude; patients with Shamblin type III have the youngest age, lowest altitude, and longest time interval from onset to diagnosis. CBTs patients with young age, low residence altitude, and long time interval from onset to diagnosis are more likely to develop Shamblin type III.

Objective To establish a method for determining hydrogen sulfide(H2S)in blood and apply it to practical cases.Methods A delute solution was achieved by adding 0.8 mL saturated borax solution into 0.2 mL blood sample was diluted with.1 mL acetonitrile solution containing 0.1％formic acid was then taken in a test tube,followed by adding 0.1 mL dilute solution and 0.1 mL thiozine aqueous solution(1％).After thorough mixing,the mixture was left to stand for 30 minutes.Subsequently,the sample was subjected to liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(LC-MS/MS)analysis after centrifugation and membrane filtration.Results The results showed that H2S exhibited good linearity within the concentration range of 10～2 000 ng/mL,with the R2 value of 0.998 5.The detection limit was 5 ng/mL,and the quantification limit was 10 ng/mL.In three cases of H2S poisoning,sulfur ions were detected in the blood of the deceased individuals,with concentrations ranging from 0.17 to 0.56 μg/mL.Conclusion For the first time,this study established a LC-MS/MS method for determining H2S in blood,which can meet the detection needs of H2S poisoning cases.

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.

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 compare the short-term clinical effects of unilateral dual-channel endoscopic discectomy(UBED)and percutaneous endoscopic intervertebral discectomy(PEID)in the treatment of L5S,Lumbar disc herniation,LDH.Methods From January 2019 to January 2021,a total of 57 cases of L5S,LDH treated by UBED or PEID were analyzed retrospectively,including 30 cases in UBED group and 27 cases in PEID group.The operation time,intraoperative fluoroscopy times,postoperative hospitalization days and surgical complications were compared between the two groups.The visual analogue scale(VAS)and oswestry disability index(ODI)were used to compare the postoperative quality of life of the two groups,and the modified MacNab criteria was used to evaluate the clinical efficacy in the last follow-up.Results The operation time of UBED group and PEID group was(75.30±8.44)minutes and(68.37±4.63)minutes,respectively,and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant(P＜0.05).VAS and ODI of 1 week,3 months,1 year and 1.5 years after surgery in 2 groups were significantly decreased compared with those before surgery,with statistical significance(P＜0.05).The VAS score of low back pain in UBED group was higher than that in PEID group[(3.87±1.14)points vs(2.70±0.67)points]at 1 week after surgery(P＜0.05),and there was no significant difference in VAS and ODI at the other time points(P＞0.05).There was no statistical difference in the results of modified MacNab criteria in the last follow-up(P＞0.05).There were 2 cases of dural tear in PEID group,1 case of dural tear in UBED group and 1 case of temporary nerve root injury in PEID group after operation,all of which were cured after symptomatic treatment.Conclusion Compared with PEID,UBED has a longer operation time,more trauma and more obvious low back pain in the short term after operation.The short-term curative effect of the two operations on L5S1 LDH is similar,the incidence of complications is low,and the times of fluoroscopy are few.Both operations are safe and effective.

Objective:To compare the clinical efficacy of arthroscopic partial and complete repair for massive rotator cuff tears.Methods:A total of 32 patients who underwent arthroscopic partial repair of massive rotator cuff tears in the Department of Sports Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital from March 2016 to December 2019 were retrospectively analyzed, including 15 males and 17 females, aged 62±6.8 years (range, 51-77 years), with 5 cases on the left side and 27 cases on the right side. Cause of injury: 4 cases were injured by car accident, 8 were injured by fall, and 20 had no obvious cause. 32 patients who underwent arthroscopic complete repair of massive rotator cuff tears during the same period were included according to a sample size of 1∶1 matched based on age, sex, tear size and fat infiltration index. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) shoulder score, Simple Shoulder Test (SST) score, and range of motion. Fatty infiltration and cuff healing were assessed using the Goutallier and Sugaya classifications on MRI, respectively.Results:All patients successfully completed the surgery and were followed up for 46.1±11.3 months (range, 36-72 months). Preoperative and final follow-up VAS scores were 6.6±1.8 and 1.6±1.1 in the complete repair group, and 6.4±1.9 and 1.4±1.3 in the partial repair group. Both groups showed significant postoperative improvement ( P<0.05), with no significant difference between groups at the final follow-up ( t=-0.729, P=0.468). The ASES score, UCLA shoulder score, and SST at the final follow-up were 81.7±6.5, 28.6±2.9, and 9.8±2.5, respectively, in the complete repair group, and 82.4±7.3, 28.1±2.6, and 9.1±1.9 in the partial repair group, and the difference between the groups was not statistically significant ( P>0.05). In the complete repair group, one case underwent reverse shoulder replacement for rotator cuff re-tear two years after surgery, and one case developed pseudoparalysis for rotator cuff re-tear 8 months after surgery but had no significant pain and did not receive further treatment; in the partial repair group, two cases underwent tendon transposition surgery for shoulder pain. Conclusion:Arthroscopic partial repair improves shoulder function and reduces pain in patients with massive rotator cuff tears, with similar efficacy to complete repair and has high surgical safety.

Objective:To explore the mechanism of peritoneal dialysis solution (PDS)-induced peritoneal microinflammation through activation of ceramide (CER) in peritoneal dialysis model mice.Methods:Thirty 5-week-old male C57BL/6 mice weighing about 22 g were used to set up peritoneal dialysis models, and then were randomly divided into 4 groups: sham operation group (1.5 ml sterilized water, n=7), high glucose-PDS group (1.5 ml 4.25% PDS, n=8), high glucose-PDS+ acid sphingomyelinase (ASMase) inhibitor desipramine (DES) group (1.5 ml sterilized water+10 mg/kg DES, n=8), high glucose-PDS+Src kinase inhibitor PP2 group (1.5 ml sterilized water +1 mg/kg PP2, n=7), with intraperitoneal injection once a day. After 28 days, the mice were sacrificed to retain peritoneal tissues. HE staining and Masson staining were used to observe the histological changes of peritoneum. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and macrophages. High performance liquid chromatography, liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry and immunofluorescence were used to detect the expression of ASMase and CER. Real-time quantitative PCR was used to detect the mRNA levels of c-Src, p-Src, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Western blotting was used to detect the protein levels of c-Src, and p-Src. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the serum C reactive protein (CRP), IL-6 and TNF-α. Results:(1) High glucose-PDS led to peritoneal hyperplasia, collagen deposition and fibrosis in the peritoneal dialysis mice, indicating successful modeling. Compared with high glucose-PDS group, peritoneal hyperplasia, collagen deposition and fibrosis of mice treated with DES and PP2 were significantly improved (all P<0.05). (2) Compared with sham operation group, ASMase activation and CER level of peritoneal tissues were significantly higher in high glucose-PDS group, and DES could significantly inhibit activated ASMase and increased CER expression caused by high glucose-PDS (both P<0.05). PP2 had no significant effect on ASMase activation and CER level (both P>0.05). (3) Compared with sham operation group, there were more TLR4 and macrophage positive staining cells in peritoneal tissues in high glucose-PDS group, and the mRNA expression levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in peritoneal tissues and serum CRP, IL-6 and TNF-α were higher (all P<0.05). DES and PP2 could significantly inhibit the increased TLR4, macrophages and related inflammatory factors induced by high glucose-PDS (all P<0.05). (4) Compared with sham operation group, c-Src and p-Src mRNA and protein expression levels of peritoneal tissues in high glucose-PDS group were significantly higher (all P<0.05). PP2 significantly inhibited the increased p-Src mRNA and protein levels caused by high glucose-PDS (both P<0.05), but had no significant effect on the mRNA and protein expression levels of c-Src (both P>0.05). DES had no significant effect on the mRNA and protein expression levels of c-Src and p-Src (all P>0.05). Conclusions:High glucose-PDS may enhance the expression of CER through stimulating the activity of ASMase, phosphorylate Src, activate TLR4 and induce inflammatory damage of peritoneum in peritoneal dialysis model mice.

Objective To evaluate the current situation of radioactive contamination in the soil around a decommissioned uranium mine by combined determination of ²¹⁰Pb and ²¹⁰Po activity concentrations. Methods Soil samples were collected around a decommissioned uranium mine. ²¹⁰Po and the ²¹⁰Pb decay product ²¹⁰Bi were plated on a copper sheet by self-deposition at a constant temperature. Gross α and gross β counts were measured using a low-background α/β counter. The activity concentrations of ²¹⁰Pb and ²¹⁰Po in soil were calculated. The radioactive contamination was evaluated using geological accumulation index. Results The activity concentrations of ²¹⁰Pb and ²¹⁰Po in the soil around the decommissioned uranium mine were 873.7-2315.5 and 956.0-2315 Bq·kg⁻¹, respectively. The activity concentrations of ²¹⁰Pb and ²¹⁰Po in nearby farmland soil were 54.2-257.8 and 59.1-234.5 Bq·kg⁻¹, respectively. Evaluation with the geological accumulation index showed that the level of nearby farmland contamination was 0-2, indicating zero to moderate radioactive contamination of the farmland. Conclusion The relatively high radioactivity around the decommissioned uranium mine requires attention to the transfer, diffusion, and ingestion of the uranium decay products ²¹⁰Pb and ²¹⁰Po in the surrounding soil to avoid radioactive contamination of the environment.

Objective:To investigate the epidemiology of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in patients with maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) in Jiangsu province during SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in China from December 7, 2022 to January 27, 2023, and to analyze the influencing factors of all-cause death.Methods:It was a multi-center cross-sectional investigation. Structured questionnaire was used to collect patient information by medical staff of each hemodialysis center (room) as investigators. Part of the demography data and laboratory examination data came from the Jiangsu Province Hemodialysis Data Information System. MHD patients from hemodialysis centers (rooms) at all levels of medical institutions and independent hemodialysis institutions in Jiangsu province during the outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 infection were included, and the clinical characteristics and all-cause mortality of confirmed and suspected cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection were analyzed.Results:Questionnaire surveys and data analysis on 57 278 patients in 407 hemodialysis centers (rooms) were completed, accounting for 90.41% of the total number of MHD patients (63 357 cases) in Jiangsu province during the same period. There were 24 038 cases (41.97%) of SARS-CoV-2 infection and 14 805 cases (25.85%) of suspected infection, which were widely distributed in all dialysis centers in Jiangsu province. After clinical classification of 38 843 confirmed and suspected SARS-CoV-2 infection cases, 3 662 cases were severe and critical cases, accounting for 9.43% of the infected and suspected cases. Among the patients who had completed the questionnaires, there were 1 812 all-cause deaths, with an all-cause mortality rate of 3.16%. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that elderly (taking ≤50 years as a reference, 51-59 years: OR=1.583, 95% CI 1.279-1.933, P=0.001; 60-69 years: OR=3.972, 95% CI 3.271-4.858, P<0.001; 70-79 years: OR=7.236, 95% CI 5.917-8.698, P<0.001; ≥80 years: OR=11.738, 95% CI 9.459-14.663, P<0.001), male ( OR=1.371, 95% CI 1.229-1.529, P<0.001), and co-infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) (positive serum HBV surface antigen, OR=0.629, 95% CI 0.484-0.817, P<0.001) were independent influencing factors for all cause mortality. Receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the area under the curve for male, age and current HBV infection prediction of all-cause death was 0.529 ( P<0.001), 0.724 ( P<0.001) and 0.514 ( P=0.042), respectively, and the cut-off value for age prediction of all-cause death was 65.5 years old. Compared with patients without HBV infection, MHD patients with HBV infection significantly reduced the proportion of severe and critically ill patients, all-cause hospitalizations and all cause deaths when infected with SARS-CoV-2 (4.99% vs. 6.41%, χ2=6.136, P=0.013; 8.90% vs. 11.44%, χ2=11.662, P<0.001; 2.01% vs. 3.37%, χ2=10.713, P=0.001, respectively). Conclusion:The MHD patients in Jiangsu province are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2. Elderly age and male gender are independent risk factors for death in MHD patients during the epidemic, while the HBV infection may be a protective factor for death of MHD patients infected with SARS-CoV-2.

Objective: To compare the functional changes of neurotransmitters in the dopamine ( DA) system of rats lesioned by 6-hydroxydopamine in unilateral medial forebrain bundle ( MFB) and unilateral striatum after 4 weeks of modeling． Methods : Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 62) were divided randomly into four groups : single-site model ( one site striatal lesion model，n = 18) ，four-site model ( four sites striatal lesion model，n = 18) ，MFB model (MFB lesion model，n = 18) and a sham operated control group (n = 8) ．Immunohistochemical tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) staining was used to calculate the loss rate of positive DA neurons．The functional changes of dopamine transporters(DAT) and D2 receptors in rat models of four groups were detected by radioligand-receptor binding assay in vitro，behavioral test and small-animal PET. Results : Immunohistochemical staining results of TH at 1-lesion，4-lesion and MFB model showed that the TH-positive cell loss rates of the lesion side in three models were 19. 1% ，84. 7% and 97. 1% ，respectively，indicating that the model was successfully constructed. The results of DAT / D2 receptor functions in the three models showed that，compared with the sham operated control group，the DAT binding ratio of radioactivity on the lesion side of 1-lesion，4-lesion and MFB model significantly decreased (P＜0. 05，P＜0. 05 and P＜0. 01) ．The DAT binding ratio of radioactivity on the lesion side was compared among 1，4 lesion and MFB model．It was found that the decrease degree of MFB model was significantly higher than that of the previous two models (P＜0. 01) ，and the decrease degree of 4-lesion model was significantly higher than that of 1-lesion model (P＜0. 05) ．Compared with the sham operated control group，the D2 receptor binding ratio of radioactivity on the lesion side of 1-lesion and 4-lesion model significantly decreased (P＜0. 05) ， and there was no significant difference in the degree of decrease between the two models，but the D2 receptor binding ratio of radioactivity on the lesion side of MFB model significantly increased (P＜0. 05) ．There was no difference in the distribution of DAT / D2 receptor on the lesion side and the normal side of the sham operated control group．Methamphetamine caused ipsilateral rotations to the lesion side in all models． There were no significant differences in methamphetamine-induced rotation among 1-lesion，4-lesion and MFB models．Bromocriptine caused ipsilateral rotations to the lesion side in 1-lesion and 4-lesion models but contralateral rotations in MFB model. There were no significant differences in bromocriptine-induced rotation between 1-lesion and 4-lesion models．The results of stepping test showed the motion initiation time of the lesion side was significantly longer than that of the normal side，the stepping length of the lesion side was significantly shorter than that of the normal side，and the adjusting steps of the lesion side was significantly less than that of the normal side (P＜0. 001) ，but there was no significant difference of the lesion side in the initiation time ，stepping length ，and adjusting steps among the three groups of models． Conclusion The striatal lesion and MFB lesion models showed different pathophysiological processes in terms of DA neurotransmitter functions and behavior．The MFB lesion model can mimic primary Parkinson's disease，while the striatal lesion model is similar to some Parkinson syndromes.