AIM:To investigate the value of optical coherence tomography angiography(OCTA)indicators in the diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy(DR), and to provide patients with diabetic nephropathy(DN)with more sensitive OCTA screening indicators to detect concurrent DR at an early stage.METHODS: A total of 200 patients who treated in the ophthalmology department of the Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University from 2022 to 2023 were included, including 95 first-diagnosed DR patients and 105 patients without DR, and all patients underwent OCTA examination and a collection of demographics and renal function parameters. After a quality check, automated measurements of the foveal avascular zone area, vessel density(VD), and perfusion density(PD)of both 3 mm×3 mm and 6 mm×6 mm windows were obtained.RESULTS: Using random forest and multivariate Logistic regression methods, we developed a diagnostic model for DR based on 12 variables(age, FBG, SBP, DBP, HbA1c, ALT, ALP, urea/Scr, DM duration, HUA, DN, and CMT). Adding specific OCTA parameters enhanced the efficacy of the existing diagnostic model for DR(outer vessel density in 6 mm×6 mm window, AUC=0.837 vs 0.819, P=0.03). In the study of DN patients, the parameters in the 6 mm×6 mm window improved the diagnostic efficacy of DR(inner VD; outer VD; full VD; outer PD; full PD).CONCLUSION:The outer VD in the 6 mm×6 mm window can enhance the efficacy of the traditional DR diagnostic model. Meanwhile, compared with the 3 mm×3 mm window, the microvascular parameters in the 6 mm× 6 mm window focusing on DN patients can be more sensitive to diagnosing the occurrence of DR.

This study employs ultra-performance liquid chromatography(UPLC) to analyze the differences in alkaloid content of Commelina communis from various geographical origins, exploring its feasibility as a quality evaluation indicator. A total of 57 batches of C. communis samples from 23 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities in China were selected. The MicroPulite HSS T3(2.1 mm×50 mm, 1.8 μm)column was used with a mobile phase of acetonitrile-0.2% phosphoric acid aqueous solution(20∶80), detection wavelength at 254 nm, and a flow rate of 0.3 mL·min~(-1) to measure the content of 1-deoxynojirimycin(DNJ) and deoxymannojirimycin(DMJ). The MicroPulite XP tC_(18)(2.1 mm×100 mm, 1.7 μm)column was employed with a mobile phase of acetonitrile-0.2% phosphoric acid aqueous solution(4∶96), detection wavelength at 254 nm, and a flow rate of 0.4 mL·min~(-1) to measure the content of norharmine(NHM) and harmanme(HM). Chemometric methods were applied to study the relationships and differences among the 57 batches of C. communis. Significant differences in alkaloid content were observed among C. communis from different regions, with the average total content decreasing in the order of North China, Northeast China, Northwest China, East China, Southwest China, Central China, and South China. Cluster analysis(CA) and principal component analysis(PCA) further revealed the quality differences of C. communis from various origins, and partial least squares discriminant analysis(PLS-DA) identified DNJ as a marker compound to distinguish the quality differences between different geographical sources of C. communis. It is recommended that the content limit of DNJ be set at no less than 0.055 9%, providing a reference for the quality evaluation and clinical application of C. communis medicinal materials.
Alkaloids/analysis* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; China ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Chemometrics/methods* ; Quality Control

PURPOSE: To methodically assess the effectiveness of augmentative plating (AP) and exchange nailing (EN) in managing nonunion following intramedullary nailing for long bone fractures of the lower extremity. METHODS: PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library were searched to gather clinical studies regarding the use of AP and EN techniques in the treatment of nonunion following intramedullary nailing of lower extremity long bones. The search was conducted up until May 2023. The original studies underwent an independent assessment of their quality, a process conducted utilizing the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Data were retrieved from these studies, and meta-analysis was executed utilizing Review Manager 5.3. RESULTS: This meta-analysis included 8 studies involving 661 participants, with 305 in the AP group and 356 in the EN group. The results of the meta-analysis demonstrated that the AP group exhibited a higher rate of union (odds ratio: 8.61, 95% confidence intervals (CI): 4.12 - 17.99, p < 0.001), shorter union time (standardized mean difference (SMD): -1.08, 95% CI: -1.79 - -0.37, p = 0.003), reduced duration of the surgical procedure (SMD: -0.56, 95% CI: -0.93 - -0.19, p = 0.003), less bleeding (SMD: -1.5, 95% CI: -2.81 - -0.18, p = 0.03), and a lower incidence of complications (relative risk: -0.17, 95% CI: -0.27 - -0.06, p = 0.001). In the subgroup analysis, the time for union in the AP group in nonisthmal and isthmal nonunion of lower extremity long bones was shorter compared to the EN group (nonisthmal SMD: -1.94, 95% CI: -3.28 - -0.61, p < 0.001; isthmal SMD: -1.08, 95% CI: -1.64 - -0.52, p = 0.002). CONCLUSION In the treatment of nonunion in diaphyseal fractures of the long bones in the lower extremity, the AP approach is superior to EN, both intraoperatively (with reduced duration of the surgical procedure and diminished blood loss) and postoperatively (with an elevated union rate, shorter union time, and lower incidence of complications). Specifically, in the management of nonunion of lower extremity long bones with non-isthmal and isthmal intramedullary nails, AP demonstrated shorter union time in comparison to EN.
Humans ; Bone Nails/adverse effects* ; Bone Plates/adverse effects* ; Femoral Fractures/surgery* ; Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary/methods* ; Fractures, Ununited/surgery* ; Lower Extremity/injuries*

PURPOSE: We carried out the study aiming to explore and analyze the risk factors, the distribution of pathogenic bacteria, and their antibiotic-resistance characteristics influencing the occurrence of surgical site infection (SSI), to provide valuable assistance for reducing the incidence of SSI after traumatic fracture surgery. METHODS: A retrospective case-control study enrolling 3978 participants from January 2015 to December 2019 receiving surgical treatment for traumatic fractures was conducted at Tangdu Hospital of Air Force Medical University. Baseline data, demographic characteristics, lifestyles, variables related to surgical treatment, and pathogen culture were harvested and analyzed. Univariate analyses and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to reveal the independent risk factors of SSI. A bacterial distribution histogram and drug-sensitive heat map were drawn to describe the pathogenic characteristics. RESULTS: Included 3978 patients 138 of them developed SSI with an incidence rate of 3.47% postoperatively. By logistic regression analysis, we found that variables such as gender (males) (odds ratio (OR) = 2.012, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.235 - 3.278, p = 0.005), diabetes mellitus (OR = 5.848, 95% CI: 3.513 - 9.736, p < 0.001), hypoproteinemia (OR = 3.400, 95% CI: 1.280 - 9.031, p = 0.014), underlying disease (OR = 5.398, 95% CI: 2.343 - 12.438, p < 0.001), hormonotherapy (OR = 11.718, 95% CI: 6.269 - 21.903, p < 0.001), open fracture (OR = 29.377, 95% CI: 9.944 - 86.784, p < 0.001), and intraoperative transfusion (OR = 2.664, 95% CI: 1.572 - 4.515, p < 0.001) were independent risk factors for SSI, while, aged over 59 years (OR = 0.132, 95% CI: 0.059 - 0.296, p < 0.001), prophylactic antibiotics use (OR = 0.082, 95% CI: 0.042 - 0.164, p < 0.001) and vacuum sealing drainage use (OR = 0.036, 95% CI: 0.010 - 0.129, p < 0.001) were protective factors. Pathogens results showed that 301 strains of 38 species of bacteria were harvested, among which 178 (59.1%) strains were Gram-positive bacteria, and 123 (40.9%) strains were Gram-negative bacteria. Staphylococcus aureus (108, 60.7%) and Enterobacter cloacae (38, 30.9%) accounted for the largest proportion. The susceptibility of Gram-positive bacteria to Vancomycin and Linezolid was almost 100%. The susceptibility of Gram-negative bacteria to Imipenem, Amikacin, and Meropenem exceeded 73%. CONCLUSION Orthopedic surgeons need to develop appropriate surgical plans based on the risk factors and protective factors associated with postoperative SSI to reduce its occurrence. Meanwhile, it is recommended to strengthen blood glucose control in the early stage of admission and for surgeons to be cautious and scientific when choosing antibiotic therapy in clinical practice.
Humans ; Surgical Wound Infection/epidemiology* ; Male ; Female ; Risk Factors ; Retrospective Studies ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Fractures, Bone/surgery* ; Aged ; Drug Resistance, Bacterial ; Logistic Models ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use* ; Incidence ; Bacteria/drug effects*

Objective To establish an effective model for distinguishing glandular prodromal lesions(PGL)mixed with ground-glass nodules(mGGN)from minimally invasive adenocarcinoma(MIA)on CT based on artificial intelligence.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical and CT image data of 180 patients with lung adenocarcinoma confirmed by surgical pathology and with CT manifestations of mGGN in the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University from January 2017 to June 2023,inclu-ding 66 patients with PGL and 114 patients with MIA.Patients were divided into the training set(n=144)and the test set(n=36)in an 8∶2 ratio using a completely random method.The quantitative parameters and radiomics features of the lesions in CT images were automatically extracted using artificial intelligence soft-ware(United Imaging Research Platform uRP).By incorporating the most obvious correlation features of omics through dimensionality reduction,five machine learning classifiers were established,including logistic regression(LR),support vector machine(SVM),Random forest(RF),Gaussian process(GP),and Decision Tree(DT).The classifier with the training set highest area under the curve(AUC)was selected as the best radiomics model,and output the result as radiomics score(Rad-score).The clinical information,CT morpho-logical characteristics and quantitative data of the two groups were included in the multivariate logistic regres-sion analysis to screen the independent influencing factors for effectively differentiating PGL and MIA,and a clinical model was established.Finally,a comprehensive prediction model was constructed based on Rad-score and clinical risk factors.The diagnostic performance of the three models was evaluated by using the AUC,sen-sitivity,specificity and accuracy of receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve.Results Eleven radiomics features for distinguishing PGL from MIA were obtained through LASSO dimensionality reduction.Among the five machine learning classifiers,GP has the best diagnostic performance,with AUC of 0.865 in the train-ing set and 0.762 in the test set,respectively.Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used for clinical feature screening.The clinical model was constructed by using the average CT value,average long and short diameter,and solid partial long diameter of mGGN,and the AUCs of the training set and the test set were 0.870 and 0.794,respectively.The comprehensive prediction model demonstrated superior diag-nostic performance,with AUC,sensitivity,specificity,and accuracy in the training set being 0.948,81.1%,91.2%and 87.5%respectively,while 0.883,76.9%,91.3%and 86.1%respectively in the test set.Conclu-sion The comprehensive prediction model established based on the quantitative and omics feature analysis of pulmonary nodules by artificial intelligence can well distinguish mGGN mixed with PGL from MIA on CT,and can be used to guide clinical treatment decisions.

Central nervous system vasculitis (CNSV) is a type of inflammatory disease involving the blood vessels of the brain, spinal cord and meninges, and its clinical diagnosis is quite challenging. The sensitivity and specificity of traditional imaging examinations are very low, while high-resolution vessel wall imaging (HRVWI) can clearly show vascular wall and perivascular lesions. CNSV on HRVWI may manifested as concentric thickening and enhancement of the vascular wall, and perivascular enhancement with or without vascular stenosis. HRVWI has high value in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of CNSV and related diseases. This article reviews the HRVWI characteristics of CNSV and the differential diagnosis of related diseases.

Objective To observe the effect of emodin on lung injury in rats with stroke associated pneumonia(SAP)through regulating Janus kinase 2(JAK2)/signal transducer and activators of transcription 3(STAT3)signaling pathway.Methods The SAP rat model was established by modified thread embolization method combined with intratracheal injection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa method.The successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into model group,emodin low-and high-dose groups and emodin high-dose+coumermycin(JAK2 activator)group,with 12 rats in each group,and another 12 SD rats were selected as the sham-operated group.After the intervention,the partial pressure of arterial blood gas indexes such as carbon dioxide(PaCO2)and partial pressure of oxygen(PaO2)were measured,the ratio of lung wet/dry mass(W/D)was determined,the inflammatory cell count in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF)was detected,the histopathological feature in the lung tissues was observed by hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining and the pathological injury was scored,enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was used to detect myeloperoxidase(MPO)activity in the lung tissues and interleukin 6(IL-6)and cyclooxygenase 2(COX-2)levels in BALF and serum,and Western Blot was used to detect the expression of JAK2/STAT3 pathway key proteins in lung tissues.Results Compared with the sham-operated group,the model group rats showed that more obvious pathological injury in lung tissues was seen,and PaCO2 value,ratio of lung W/D,white blood cell count and eosinophils count in BALF,pathological injury score,MPO activity in lung tissues,IL-6 and COX-2 levels in BALF and serum,and ratios of p-JAK2/JAK2 and p-STAT3/STAT3 in lung tissues were significantly increased,and PaO2 value was significantly decreased,the differences being statistically significant(P<0.05);compared with the model group,the emodin low-and high-dose groups rats showed that the pathological injury in lung tissues was reduced,PaCO2 value,ratio of lung W/D,white blood cell count and eosinophils count in BALF,pathological injury score,MPO activity in lung tissues,IL-6 and COX-2 levels in BALF and serum,and ratios of p-JAK2/JAK2 and p-STAT3/STAT3 in lung tissues were all decreased,and PaO2 value was increased,the differences being statistically significant(P<0.05),and the improvement effect was more stronger in high-dose emodin group;coumermycin attenuated the improvement effect of emodin on the above various indexes in the model rats.Conclusion Emodin can reduce the inflammation levels in SAP rats through inhibiting the activation of JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway,thus reducing the lung tissue damage and improving the lung function of rats.

Objective To prepare and characterize the mouse polyclonal antibody against the dense granule protein 24 (GRA24) of Toxoplasma gondii, and explore its preliminary applications. Methods The GRA24 coding sequences of different T. gondii strains were aligned using the MEGA-X software, and the dominant peptide of the GRA24 protein was analyzed with the Protean software. The base sequence encoding this peptide was amplified using PCR assay and ligated into the pET-28a vector, and the generated GRA24 truncated protein was transformed into Escherichia coli BL21. After induction by isopropyl-beta-D-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG), the expression and purification of the recombinant GRA24 protein was analyzed using sodium dodecyl sulfate - polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). BALB/c mice were immunized by subcutaneous injection with the purified recombinant GRA24 truncated protein to generate the polyclonal antibody, and the titer of the polyclonal antibody was measured using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The specificity of the polyclonal antibody was tested using Western blotting, and the intracellular localization of the polyclonal antibody was investigated using immunofluorescence assay (IFA). Results SDS-PAGE showed successful construction of the recombinant expression plasmid, and Coomassie brilliant blue staining showed the generation of the high-purity recombinant GRA24 truncated protein. ELISA measured that the titer of the polyclonal antibody against the GRA24 truncated protein was higher than 1:208 400, and Western blotting showed that the polyclonal antibody was effective to recognize the endogenous GRA24 proteins of different T. gondii strains and specifically recognize the recombinant GRA24 truncated protein. Indirect IFA showed that the GRA24 protein secreted 16 hour following T. gondii invasion in host cells. Conclusions The polyclonal antibody against the T. gondii GRA24 protein has been successfully prepared, which has a widespread applicability, high titers and a high specificity. This polyclonal antibody is available for Western blotting and IFA, which provides the basis for investigating the function of the GRA24 protein.

The lingnan liver-soothing and spirit-regulating acupuncture and moxibustion technique,developed by Professor FU Wen-Bin,a renowned traditional Chinese medicine expert in Guangdong Province,represents an innovative achievement in acupuncture therapy for depression-related disorders.Drawing upon the rich legacy of master scholars,meticulous study of medical literature,and over three decades of continuous research and innovation,Professor FU has formulated this technique with profound influence and widespread application.By tracing the developmental trajectory of the Lingnan liver-soothing and spirit-regulating technique,this paper sheds light on its significant guiding principles and reference value for the development of other distinctive acupuncture techniques.Furthermore,it offers insights and inspiration for advancement in various fields of traditional Chinese medicine.

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of Chevron minimally-invasive osteotomy and internal fixation with ISO intramedullary plate plus traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)bone-setting manipulations for the treatment of moderate hallux valgus.Methods A retrospective study was conducted.A total of 49 patients(62 feet)with moderate hallux valgus were treated with Chevron minimally-invasive osteotomy and internal fixation with ISO intramedullary plate,and were given TCM bone-setting manipulations before the operation,during the operation,and after the operation.The efficacy was evaluated by using the Visual Analogue Scale(VAS)score and the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society(AOFAS)forefoot score after the operation.Before the operation and 12 months after the operation,the hallux valgus angle(HVA),intermetatarsal angle(IMA)between the first and second metatarsal bone,and the distal metatarsal articular angle(DMAA)showed by X-ray imaging in the weight-bearing position of the foot were recorded.Results(1)All of the 49 patients were followed up for 12 to 24 months,with a mean of(20.6±3.1)months.(2)The X-ray imaging assessment showed that 12 months after the operation,the mean HVA,IMA and DMAA values of the 49 patients(62 feet)were significantly lower than those before the operation,and the differences were all statistically significant(P＜0.01).(3)Twelve months after the operation,the pain VAS score of 49 patients was(3.14±1.21)points,which was significantly lower than the preoperative score points(7.26±2.52),and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.01).(4)The assessment of joint function showed that 12 months after the operation,the scores of various AOFAS items of pain,function and hallux alignment as well as the overall AOFAS scores of 49 patients were significantly higher than those before the operation,and the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.01).(5)For the 62 feet in 49 patients,the excellent efficacy was achieved in 53 feet,good efficacy was achieved in 7 feet,and fair efficacy was achieved in 2 feet,with the fine rate of 96.77%(60/62).Conclusion For the treatment of moderate hallux valgus,the application of Chevron minimally-invasive osteotomy and internal fixation with ISO intramedullary plate plus TCM bone-setting manipulations is effective on promoting the reset of hallux-metatarsophalangeal joint,restoring the balance of the joint,and maintaining the equilibrium state of the joint through postoperative rehabilitation guidance.The combined therapy exerts certain efficacy,reduces the recurrence rate,and eventually achieves the early rehabilitation after the operation.