AIM:To assess the influence of preoperative lacrimal passage probing and dilation on the therapeutic effectiveness of nasolacrimal silicone intubation in cases of incomplete primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction(PANDO).METHODS: A retrospective case-control clinical study was conducted. The study included patients with incomplete PANDO who underwent nasolacrimal silicone intubation at the hospital between October 2022 and October 2024. Participants were categorized into two groups based on their receipt of nasolacrimal duct probing and dilation prior to intubation. Group A consisted of patients who had undergone one or more sessions of nasolacrimal duct probing and dilation before nasolacrimal silicone intubation, while Group B included patients who did not receive nasolacrimal duct probing and dilation before intubation. All patients had their nasolacrimal silicone tubes removed 3 mo postoperatively and were monitored for 6 mo following tube removal to evaluate surgical success rates.RESULTS: A total of 136 patients(152 eyes)completed the six-month follow-up period. The overall surgical success rate for both groups was 72.4%(110/152 eyes).Group A included 22 males and 36 females, mean age 58.09±11.07 y, and achieved a success rate of 82.8%(53/64 eyes), while Group B included 27 males and 51 females, mean age 59.35±8.84 y and attained a success rate of 64.8%(57/88 eyes). The difference in surgical success rates between the two groups was statistically significant(P=0.014). Furthermore, Group A achieved a complete success rate of 67.2%(43/64 eyes), compared to 47.7%(42/88 eyes)in Group B, with this difference also reaching statistical significance(P=0.017). No serious postoperative complications were observed in either group.CONCLUSION: Nasolacrimal silicone intubation is a safe and effective intervention for incomplete PANDO, with preoperative nasolacrimal duct probing and dilation potentially enhancing therapeutic outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the prognostic value of molecular minimal residual disease (Mol-MRD) monitored before and after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML). METHODS: Clinical data of 71 pediatric AML patients who underwent HSCT between August 2016 and December 2023 were analyzed. Mol-MRD levels were dynamically monitored in MRD-positive patients, and survival outcomes were evaluated. RESULTS: No significant difference in the 3-year overall survival (OS) rate was observed between patients with pre-HSCT Mol-MRD ≥0.01% and <0.01% (77.3% ± 8.9% vs 80.4% ± 7.9%, P=0.705). However, patients with pre-HSCT Mol-MRD <1.75% had a significantly higher 3-year OS rate than those with Mol-MRD ≥1.75% (86.6% ± 5.6% vs 44.4% ± 16.6%, P=0.020). The median Mol-MRD level in long-term survivors was significantly lower than in non-survivors [0.61% (range: 0.04%-51.58%)] vs 10.60% (range: 1.90%-19.75%), P=0.035]. Concurrent flow cytometry-based MRD positivity was significantly higher in non-survivors (80% vs 24%, P=0.039). There was no significant difference in the 3-year overall survival rate between patients with Mol-MRD ≥0.01% and those with <0.01% at 30 days post-HSCT (P=0.527). For children with Mol-MRD <0.22% at 30 days post-HSCT, the 3-year overall survival rate was 80.4% ± 5.9%, showing no significant difference compared to those with molecular negativity (87.0% ± 7.0%) (P=0.523). CONCLUSIONS Patients with pre-HSCT Mol-MRD <1.75% or post-HSCT Mol-MRD <0.22% may achieve long-term survival outcomes comparable to Mol-MRD-negative cases through HSCT and targeted interventions.
Humans ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Neoplasm, Residual ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/genetics* ; Child ; Male ; Female ; Child, Preschool ; Prognosis ; Adolescent ; Infant ; Transplantation, Homologous

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy of molecular targeted agents in children with progressive pediatric low-grade gliomas (pLGG). METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on pLGG patients treated with oral targeted therapies at the Department of Pediatrics, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, from July 2021. Treatment responses and safety profiles were assessed. RESULTS: Among the 20 enrolled patients, the trametinib group (n=12, including 11 cases with BRAF fusions and 1 case with BRAF V600E mutation) demonstrated 4 partial responses (33%) and 2 minor responses (17%), with a median time to response of 3.0 months. In the vemurafenib group (n=6, all with BRAF V600E mutation), 5 patients achieved partial responses (83%), showing a median time to response of 1.0 month. Comparative analysis revealed no statistically significant difference in progression-free survival rates between the two treatment groups (P>0.05). The median duration of clinical benefit (defined as partial response + minor response + stable disease) was 11.0 months for vemurafenib and 18.0 months for trametinib. Two additional cases, one with ATM mutation treated with olaparib for 24 months and one with NF1 mutation receiving everolimus for 21 months, discontinued treatment due to sustained disease stability. No severe adverse events were observed in any treatment group. CONCLUSIONS Molecular targeted therapy demonstrates clinical efficacy with favorable tolerability in pLGG. Vemurafenib achieves high response rates and induces early tumor shrinkage in patients with BRAF V600E mutations, supporting its utility as a first-line therapy.
Humans ; Glioma/genetics* ; Male ; Female ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Retrospective Studies ; Brain Neoplasms/genetics* ; Molecular Targeted Therapy/adverse effects* ; Adolescent ; Infant ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf/genetics* ; Pyrimidinones/therapeutic use* ; Mutation

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effects of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) rs1801133 and γ-glutamyl hydrolase (GGH) rs11545078 gene polymorphisms on plasma concentrations and toxicity following high-dose methotrexate (MTX) therapy in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). METHODS: Children with ALL treated at the Xuzhou Children's Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University from January 2021 to April 2024 were selected for this study. Genotypes of MTHFR rs1801133 and GGH rs11545078 were determined using multiplex polymerase chain reaction. MTX plasma concentrations were measured by enzyme-multiplied immunoassay technique, and toxicity was graded according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 5.0. The relationships between MTHFR rs1801133 and GGH rs11545078 genotypes and both MTX plasma concentrations and associated toxicities were analyzed. RESULTS: In the low-risk ALL group, the MTHFR rs1801133 genotype was associated with increased MTX plasma concentrations at 72 hours (P<0.05). In the intermediate- to high-risk group, the MTHFR rs1801133 genotype was associated with increased MTX plasma concentrations at 48 hours (P<0.05), and the GGH rs11545078 genotype was associated with increased MTX plasma concentrations at 48 hours (P<0.05). In the intermediate- to high-risk group, the MTHFR rs1801133 genotype was associated with the occurrence of reduced hemoglobin (P<0.05), and the GGH rs11545078 genotype was associated with the occurrence of thrombocytopenia (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Detection of MTHFR rs1801133 and GGH rs11545078 genotypes can be used to predict increased MTX plasma concentrations and the occurrence of toxic reactions in high-dose MTX treatment of ALL, enabling timely interventions to enhance safety.
Humans ; Methotrexate/toxicity* ; Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2)/genetics* ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma/blood* ; Male ; Female ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; gamma-Glutamyl Hydrolase/genetics* ; Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic/adverse effects* ; Infant ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Adolescent ; Genotype ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the factors associated with mortality after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) in children with severe aplastic anemia (SAA). METHODS: The clinical data of 90 children with SAA who received allo-HSCT in the Department of Hematology, Wuhan Children's Hospital Affiliated to Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology from August 2016 to July 2023 were collected. The clinical features and causes of death were analyzed retrospectively. Cox proportional hazards model was used to screen the risk factors of death. RESULTS: Only 9 children died with a median time of 6.3(2.6, 8.3) months among the 90 children with SAA after allo-HSCT. Among the 5 deaths due to infection, 3 were pulmonary infection, including 2 cases of cytomegalovirus pneumonia. One case developed septic shock due to gastrointestinal infection. One case experienced graft failure, which was complicated by bloodstream infection, and developed septic shock. Three cases died of transplantation-associated thrombotic microangiopathy (TA-TMA). One case died of gastrointestinal graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). The results of multivariate analysis showed that post-transplant +60 d PLT≤30×10⁹/L (HR=7.478, 95%CI : 1.177-47.527, P =0.033), aGVHD Ⅲ-Ⅳ (HR=7.991, 95%CI : 1.086-58.810, P =0.041), and TA-TMA occurrence (HR=13.699, 95%CI : 2.146-87.457, P =0.006) were independent risk factors for post-transplant mortality. CONCLUSION Allo-HSCT is an effective therapy for SAA in children. Post-transplant +60 d PLT≤30×10⁹/L, aGVHD Ⅲ-Ⅳ, and TA-TMA occurrence are independently associated with post-transplant mortality, which may be helpful for early detection of potential high-risk children and optimization of clinical diagnostic and treatment strategies.
Humans ; Anemia, Aplastic/therapy* ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation/adverse effects* ; Risk Factors ; Retrospective Studies ; Child ; Transplantation, Homologous ; Male ; Female ; Graft vs Host Disease ; Child, Preschool ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Adolescent ; Infant

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical features and risk factors associated with cutaneous chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) in children. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of children who underwent allo-HSCT in the Wuhan Children's Hospital from August 1, 2016, to December 31, 2023, and were regularly followed up for 1 year or more. The differences in clinical features between children with and without cutaneous cGVHD were compared, and the risk factors affecting the occurrence of cutaneous cGVHD were analyzed. RESULTS: During the study period, 296 children received allo-HSCT. Until December 31, 2024, follow-up showed that 20 children (6.8%) developed cutaneous cGVHD, which manifested as cutaneous lichenification, hyperpigmentation, keratosis pilaris, sclerotic changes, and hair or nail involvement. According to their skin lesion area and degree of grading, 5 cases were mild, 10 cases were moderate, and 5 cases were severe. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that female donors and previous acute GVHD were risk factors for the development of cutaneous cGVHD after allo-HSCT. All 20 children were treated with glucocorticoid ± calcineurin inhibitors (tacrolimus/cyclosporine) as first-line therapeutic agents. Only 1 child improved after first-line treatment. The remaining 19 children treated with a second-line regimen of combination interventions based on individualized status, including 10 children who could not tolerate hormonotherapy or first-line treatment, and showed no significant improvement after 3 months, as well as 9 children with multi-organ cGVHD. After comprehensive second-line treatment, 17 children showed improvement in cutaneous symptoms. There were 3 deaths, including 1 due to primary disease recurrence and 2 due to pulmonary infections. CONCLUSION The skin is the first manifestation and most common organ involved in cGVHD in children. Cutaneous cGVHD severely affects the daily activities of transplanted children and requires prolonged immunosuppressive therapy, but has a favorable prognosis. First-line treatments for adults are not applicable to children who usually require a combination treatment with multiple drugs.
Humans ; Graft vs Host Disease/etiology* ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation/adverse effects* ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Female ; Child ; Skin Diseases/etiology* ; Chronic Disease ; Transplantation, Homologous ; Male ; Child, Preschool ; Adolescent

OBJECTIVE: To lay a foundation for formulating clinical evaluation and regulatory policies regarding radiotherapy equipment in China. METHODS: Comprehensive retrieval and comparison of the regulatory requirements for radiotherapy equipment from regulatory agencies in the United States, the European Union, and China are conducted, and their similarities and differences are analyzed. RESULTS: For mature radiotherapy systems in the European and American regions, the comparison of performance parameters serves as an important basis for determining whether a product can be marketed. Both the European Union and China regard the clinical evaluation report as a crucial part of the medical device review and submission process. CONCLUSION Identifying clear state of the art standards, performance parameters, and clinical indicator parameters, and establishing relevant technical guidelines are important directions for promoting the standardized development of radiotherapy equipment supervision.
Radiotherapy/standards* ; United States ; China ; European Union

Despite that sleep disturbance and poor neurocognitive performance are common complaints among coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) survivors, few studies have focused on the effect of post-COVID-19 sleep disturbance (PCSD) on cognitive function. This study aimed to identify the impact of PCSD on neurocognitive function and explore the associated risk factors for the worsening of this condition. This cross-sectional study was conducted via the web-based assessment in Chinese mainland. Neurocognitive function was evaluated by the modified online Integrated Cognitive Assessment (ICA) and the Number Ordering Test (NOT). Propensity score matching (PSM) was utilized to match the confounding factors between individuals with and without PCSD. Univariate analyses were performed to evaluate the effect of PCSD on neurocognitive function. The risk factors associated with worsened neurocognitive performance in PCSD individuals were explored using binary logistic regression. A total of 8692 individuals with COVID-19 diagnosis were selected for this study. Nearly half (48.80%) of the COVID-19 survivors reported sleep disturbance. After matching by PSM, a total of 3977 pairs (7954 individuals in total) were obtained. Univariate analyses revealed that PCSD was related to worse ICA and NOT performance (P<0.05). Underlying disease, upper respiratory infection, loss of smell or taste, severe pneumonia, and self-reported cognitive complaints were associated with worsened neurocognitive performance among PCSD individuals (P<0.05). Furthermore, aging, ethnicity (minority), and lower education level were found to be independent risk factors for worsened neurocognitive performance in PCSD individuals (P<0.05). PCSD was related to impaired neurocognitive performance. Therefore, appropriate prevention and intervention measures should be taken to minimize or prevent PCSD and eliminate its potential adverse effect on neurocognitive function.
Humans ; COVID-19/epidemiology* ; Male ; Female ; Sleep Wake Disorders/epidemiology* ; Propensity Score ; Middle Aged ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Adult ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Aged ; Risk Factors ; China/epidemiology* ; Cognition ; Cognitive Dysfunction/etiology* ; Neuropsychological Tests

OBJECTIVES: The presence of multi-scale skin lesion regions and image noise interference and limited resources of auxiliary diagnostic equipment affect the accuracy of skin disease detection in skin disease detection tasks. To solve these problems, we propose a highly efficient and lightweight skin disease detection model using an improved RT-DETR model. METHODS: A lightweight FasterNet was introduced as the backbone network and the FasterNetBlock module was parametrically refined. A Convolutional and Attention Fusion Module (CAFM) was used to replace the multi-head self-attention mechanism in the neck network to enhance the ability of the AIFI-CAFM module for capturing global dependencies and local detail information. The DRB-HSFPN feature pyramid network was designed to replace the Cross-Scale Feature Fusion Module (CCFM) to allow the integration of contextual information across different scales to improve the semantic feature expression capacity of the neck network. Finally, combining the advantages of Inner-IoU and EIoU, the Inner-EIoU was used to replace the original loss function GIOU to further enhance the model's inference accuracy and convergence speed. RESULTS: The experimental results on the HAM10000 dataset showed that the improved RT-DETR model, as compared with the original model, had increased mAP@50 and mAP@50:95 by 4.5% and 2.8%, respectively, with a detection speed of 59.1 frames per second (FPS). The improved model had a parameter count of 10.9 M and a computational load of 19.3 GFLOPs, which were reduced by 46.0% and 67.2% compared to those of the original model, validating the effectiveness of the improved model. CONCLUSIONS The proposed SD-DETR model significantly improves the performance of skin disease detection tasks by effectively extracting and integrating multi-scale features while reducing both parameter count and computational load.
Humans ; Skin Diseases/diagnosis* ; Skin/pathology* ; Neural Networks, Computer ; Algorithms

OBJECTIVE To investigate the improvement effects and mechanism of Xiangsha yiwei tang on gastric mucosal injury in rats with chronic atrophic gastritis （CAG）. METHODS Rats were randomly assigned into normal control group， model group， Xiangsha yiwei tang low-， medium- and high-dose groups （6， 12， 18 g/kg， calculated by crude drug）， and high-dose group of Xiangsha yiwei tang+740 Y-P [Xiangsha yiwei tang 18 g/kg+transforming growth factor β1/phosphatidyl inositol 3 kinase/ protein kinase B（TGF-β1/PI3K/Akt） pathway activator group 740 Y-P 10 mg/kg]， with 18 rats in each group. Rats in each group were administered the corresponding drugs via oral gavage or injection， once daily， for 4 consecutive weeks. Gastric mucosal blood flow， the levels of serum gastrointestinal hormones [including motilin （MTL）， gastrin （GAS）， and pepsinogen （PP）]， as well as inflammatory cytokines [including tumor necrosis factor- α （TNF- α）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， IL-6] in rats were measured. Pathological damage to gastric mucosal tissue was observed in rats； the apoptotic rate of gastric mucosal cells was detected. The expressions of TGF-β1/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway-related proteins and apoptosis-related proteins [including B-cell lymphoma-2 （Bcl-2） and Bcl-2-associated X protein （Bax）] in the gastric mucosal tissues of rats were assessed. RESULTS Compared with normal control group， model group had abnormal gastric mucosal tissue structure， with shedding of gastric mucosal epithelial cells， and prominent infiltration of inflammatory cells. Gastric mucosal blood flow， the serum levels of MTL， GAS， PP， and Bcl-2 protein expression were lowered significantly， while serum levels of TNF-α， IL-1β and IL-6， apoptosis rate， protein expressions of Bax and TGF-β1， the phosphorylations of PI3K and Akt were increased significantly （P＜0.05）. Compared with model group， Xiangsha yiwei decoction groups exhibited attenuated histopathological injuries in gastric mucosal tissues， reduced inflammatory cell infiltration， and significant improvements in the aforementioned quantitative parameters （P＜0.05）. Compared with high-dose group of Xiangsha yiwei tang， high-dose group of Xiangsha yiwei decoction combined with 740 Y-P exhibited significantly aggravated histopathological injuries in gastric mucosal tissues， and the aforementioned quantitative parameters were markedly reversed （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS Xiangsha yiwei tang can alleviate gastric mucosal damage in CAG rats， and its mechanism of action is related to the inhibition of TGF-β1/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.