Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an intelligent handheld ultrasound (US) device for assisting non-expert general practitioners (GPs) in detecting carotid plaques (CPs) in community populations. Methods: This prospective parallel controlled trial recruited 111 consecutive community residents. All of them underwent examinations by non-expert GPs and specialist doctors using handheld US devices (setting A, setting B, and setting C). The results of setting C with specialist doctors were considered the gold standard. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and the features of CPs were measured and recorded. The diagnostic performance of GPs in distinguishing CPs was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Inter-observer agreement was compared using the intragroup correlation coefficient (ICC). Questionnaires were completed to evaluate clinical benefits. Results: Among the 111 community residents, 80, 96, and 112 CPs were detected in settings A, B, and C, respectively. Setting B exhibited better diagnostic performance than setting A for detecting CPs (area under the curve, 0.856 vs. 0.749; P<0.01). Setting B had better consistency with setting C than setting A in CIMT measurement and the assessment of CPs (ICC, 0.731 to 0.923). Moreover, measurements in setting B required less time than the other two settings (44.59 seconds vs. 108.87 seconds vs. 126.13 seconds, both P<0.01). Conclusion Using an intelligent handheld US device, GPs can perform CP screening and achieve a diagnostic capability comparable to that of specialist doctors.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an intelligent handheld ultrasound (US) device for assisting non-expert general practitioners (GPs) in detecting carotid plaques (CPs) in community populations. Methods: This prospective parallel controlled trial recruited 111 consecutive community residents. All of them underwent examinations by non-expert GPs and specialist doctors using handheld US devices (setting A, setting B, and setting C). The results of setting C with specialist doctors were considered the gold standard. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and the features of CPs were measured and recorded. The diagnostic performance of GPs in distinguishing CPs was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Inter-observer agreement was compared using the intragroup correlation coefficient (ICC). Questionnaires were completed to evaluate clinical benefits. Results: Among the 111 community residents, 80, 96, and 112 CPs were detected in settings A, B, and C, respectively. Setting B exhibited better diagnostic performance than setting A for detecting CPs (area under the curve, 0.856 vs. 0.749; P<0.01). Setting B had better consistency with setting C than setting A in CIMT measurement and the assessment of CPs (ICC, 0.731 to 0.923). Moreover, measurements in setting B required less time than the other two settings (44.59 seconds vs. 108.87 seconds vs. 126.13 seconds, both P<0.01). Conclusion Using an intelligent handheld US device, GPs can perform CP screening and achieve a diagnostic capability comparable to that of specialist doctors.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an intelligent handheld ultrasound (US) device for assisting non-expert general practitioners (GPs) in detecting carotid plaques (CPs) in community populations. Methods: This prospective parallel controlled trial recruited 111 consecutive community residents. All of them underwent examinations by non-expert GPs and specialist doctors using handheld US devices (setting A, setting B, and setting C). The results of setting C with specialist doctors were considered the gold standard. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and the features of CPs were measured and recorded. The diagnostic performance of GPs in distinguishing CPs was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Inter-observer agreement was compared using the intragroup correlation coefficient (ICC). Questionnaires were completed to evaluate clinical benefits. Results: Among the 111 community residents, 80, 96, and 112 CPs were detected in settings A, B, and C, respectively. Setting B exhibited better diagnostic performance than setting A for detecting CPs (area under the curve, 0.856 vs. 0.749; P<0.01). Setting B had better consistency with setting C than setting A in CIMT measurement and the assessment of CPs (ICC, 0.731 to 0.923). Moreover, measurements in setting B required less time than the other two settings (44.59 seconds vs. 108.87 seconds vs. 126.13 seconds, both P<0.01). Conclusion Using an intelligent handheld US device, GPs can perform CP screening and achieve a diagnostic capability comparable to that of specialist doctors.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an intelligent handheld ultrasound (US) device for assisting non-expert general practitioners (GPs) in detecting carotid plaques (CPs) in community populations. Methods: This prospective parallel controlled trial recruited 111 consecutive community residents. All of them underwent examinations by non-expert GPs and specialist doctors using handheld US devices (setting A, setting B, and setting C). The results of setting C with specialist doctors were considered the gold standard. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and the features of CPs were measured and recorded. The diagnostic performance of GPs in distinguishing CPs was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Inter-observer agreement was compared using the intragroup correlation coefficient (ICC). Questionnaires were completed to evaluate clinical benefits. Results: Among the 111 community residents, 80, 96, and 112 CPs were detected in settings A, B, and C, respectively. Setting B exhibited better diagnostic performance than setting A for detecting CPs (area under the curve, 0.856 vs. 0.749; P<0.01). Setting B had better consistency with setting C than setting A in CIMT measurement and the assessment of CPs (ICC, 0.731 to 0.923). Moreover, measurements in setting B required less time than the other two settings (44.59 seconds vs. 108.87 seconds vs. 126.13 seconds, both P<0.01). Conclusion Using an intelligent handheld US device, GPs can perform CP screening and achieve a diagnostic capability comparable to that of specialist doctors.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an intelligent handheld ultrasound (US) device for assisting non-expert general practitioners (GPs) in detecting carotid plaques (CPs) in community populations. Methods: This prospective parallel controlled trial recruited 111 consecutive community residents. All of them underwent examinations by non-expert GPs and specialist doctors using handheld US devices (setting A, setting B, and setting C). The results of setting C with specialist doctors were considered the gold standard. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and the features of CPs were measured and recorded. The diagnostic performance of GPs in distinguishing CPs was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Inter-observer agreement was compared using the intragroup correlation coefficient (ICC). Questionnaires were completed to evaluate clinical benefits. Results: Among the 111 community residents, 80, 96, and 112 CPs were detected in settings A, B, and C, respectively. Setting B exhibited better diagnostic performance than setting A for detecting CPs (area under the curve, 0.856 vs. 0.749; P<0.01). Setting B had better consistency with setting C than setting A in CIMT measurement and the assessment of CPs (ICC, 0.731 to 0.923). Moreover, measurements in setting B required less time than the other two settings (44.59 seconds vs. 108.87 seconds vs. 126.13 seconds, both P<0.01). Conclusion Using an intelligent handheld US device, GPs can perform CP screening and achieve a diagnostic capability comparable to that of specialist doctors.

AIM:To clarify the effect of macrophage PKM2 deficiency on mucosal repair in ulcerative colitis(UC).METHODS:The gene expression and metabolic profiles in UC patients were first analyzed based on the following databases:PXD001608,GSE193677,and GSE214695.Using the macrophage-specific PKM2 elimination mice(PKM2ΔMAC),the functions of PKM2 in dextran sulfate sodium(DSS)-induced UC were clarified in vivo by analyzing the body weight,disease activity index(DAI)scores,HE staining,immunohistochemical staining,and expression of muco-sal barrier markers.The impact of PKM2 on macrophage polarization was also investigated by flow cytometry,RNA se-quencing and RT-qPCR in mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages(BMDMs)and THP-1 cells in vitro.RESULTS:Bioinformatic analysis suggested that the intestinal tissues of UC patients preferred glycolysis.The expression of PKM was parallel to the severity of UC in patients,and the expression of PKM2,but not PKM1,was elevated in macrophages of UC mice.In the DSS-induced UC mice,macrophage-specific PKM2 elimination significantly alleviates the body weight loss,diarrhea,rectal bleeding,colonic shorten,as well as decreased DAI scores and mucosal tissue damage.The BMDMs de-rived from the PKM2ΔMAC mice preferred the M2 polarization upon LPS or IL-4 stimulation to that derived from the wild-type mice,as indicated by the F4/80+CD45+CD86+and F4/80+CD45+CD206+population,as well as the expression of Ocln,F11r and Tjp-1.The RNA sequencing results indicated significant gene differential expression in PKM2 knockout mouse macrophages,which was enriched in biological processes such as leukocyte migration,tissue remodeling,and cytokine in-teractions.Macrophage PKM2 deficiency promoted the expression of mucosal repair factors(Il8,Cxcl1,Ptgs2 and Wnt6),which was further validated in PKM2 knockout THP-1 cells.CONCLUSION:The PKM2 deficiency in macro-phages benifits the mucosal repair in UC status via facilitating the wound-healing macrophage polarization.

【Objective】 To analyze the position of the feeding artery entering the renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with 3D Slicer software, so as to explore the distribution pattern of the tumor artery and to provide an anatomical basis for the accurate surgical resection. 【Methods】 The clinical data of RCC patients who underwent partial nephrectomy in the Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University during Jan.2021 and Jun.2022 were collected.The preoperative renal artery CT angiography data were imported into 3D Slicer software in DICOM format to construct the relative positions of tumor-feeding artery from horizontal, sagittal and coronary planes.The number and distribution of tumor feeding arteries in each plane were analyzed. 【Results】 A total of 112 patients (59 male and 53 female) with single tumor were involved.RENAL score was 4-10.The tumor stages were T1a in 58 cases, T1b in 48 cases, and T2a in 6 cases.Among them, 38 cases (33.93%) had 1 tumor artery, 53 cases (47.32%) had 2 tumor arteries, and 21 cases (18.75%) had 3 tumor arteries.Of these 207 tumor arteries, 22 (10.63%) entered the tumor through the superficial part of the tumor bed, and 185 (89.37%) through the deep part. 【Conclusion】 In localized RCC, nearly 90% of the feeding arteries enter the tumor from deep part of the tumor bed, which provides an anatomical basis for accurate tumor resection and wound suture in partial nephrectomy.

Objective Viral encephalitis is an infectious disease severely affecting human health.It is caused by a wide variety of viral pathogens,including herpes viruses,flaviviruses,enteroviruses,and other viruses.The laboratory diagnosis of viral encephalitis is a worldwide challenge.Recently,high-throughput sequencing technology has provided new tools for diagnosing central nervous system infections.Thus,In this study,we established a multipathogen detection platform for viral encephalitis based on amplicon sequencing. Methods We designed nine pairs of specific polymerase chain reaction(PCR)primers for the 12 viruses by reviewing the relevant literature.The detection ability of the primers was verified by software simulation and the detection of known positive samples.Amplicon sequencing was used to validate the samples,and consistency was compared with Sanger sequencing. Results The results showed that the target sequences of various pathogens were obtained at a coverage depth level greater than 20×,and the sequence lengths were consistent with the sizes of the predicted amplicons.The sequences were verified using the National Center for Biotechnology Information BLAST,and all results were consistent with the results of Sanger sequencing. Conclusion Amplicon-based high-throughput sequencing technology is feasible as a supplementary method for the pathogenic detection of viral encephalitis.It is also a useful tool for the high-volume screening of clinical samples.

Objective:To analyze the epidemic characteristics of reported tuberculosis incidence in Kashgar from 2015 to 2022, and use the seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average (SARIMA) model to predict the incidence, providing references for the local control of pulmonary tuberculosis.Methods:The reported incidence data of tuberculosis in the Kashgar area of Xinjiang from January 2015 to August 2023 were collected through the"Infectious Disease Monitoring System", a subsystem of the "Chinese Disease Prevention and Control Information System". The epidemic characteristics of reported incidence in this area from 2015 to 2022 were analyzed. Two SARIMA models of monthly reported incidence number and rate were established. The prediction performance of the two models was evaluated using the reported incidence data of tuberculosis from January 2023 to August 2023. The χ2 test was used to analyze population characteristics, and the Cochran-Armitage trend test was used to analyze annual incidence. Results:From 2015 to 2022, 133 972 cases of pulmonary tuberculosis were reported in Kashgar, with a yearly reported incidence rate of 383.64/100 000, showing a rising trend ( TCA=77.03, P<0.001) and then a declining trend ( TCA=176.16, P<0.001). The proportion of pathogenic positive pulmonary tuberculosis had increased yearly ( TCA=132.66, P<0.001). The reported onset time was concentrated from January to June each year, with a peak in April. Yengisar County, Zepu County and Yopurga County had the highest reported incidence rate in Kashgar. The sex ratio of men to women was 1.03∶1, and the reported incidence rate of men was higher than that of women ( χ2=27.04, P<0.001). The reported incidence rate of the group aged 60 years and older was the highest. The patient′s occupation was mainly farmers (84.99%). The average relative errors of the SARIMA ( 1, 1, 2) ( 0, 1, 1) 12 model and SARIMA ( 0, 1, 1)( 0, 1, 1) 12 model in predicting the reported monthly incidence number and rate were 11.67% and -9.81%, respectively. Both models had good prediction accuracy (MAPE=33.55%, MAPE=38.22%). Conclusion:The average reported incidence rate of pulmonary tuberculosis in the Kashgar area shows a rising trend first and then a declining trend. The patients are mainly men and farmers, and attention should be paid to the prevention and control of tuberculosis among the elderly in winter and spring. The SARIMA ( 1, 1, 2) ( 0, 1, 1) 12 model and SARIMA ( 0, 1, 1)( 0, 1, 1) 12 model can fit the trend of reported tuberculosis incidence in the Kashgar area well and have good predictive performance.

Objective Pulmonary oxygen poisoning resulting from hyperbaric oxygen,frequently occurs in specialized operations,without any current effective prevention or treatment measures.To elucidate the impact and mechanism of neostigmine(NEO)in combination with anisodamine(ANI)(neoscopolamine)on pulmonary oxygen toxicity.Methods The animal model of pulmonary oxygen poisoning was established.C57BL/6 mice were exposed to 2.5 ATA 99.9%oxygen for 6 h.The control group mice were injected with normal saline ip,while the treatment group mice received injections of ANI(25 mg/kg,ip)and NEO(50 μg/kg,ip).Lung tissues were collected and stained with HE to observe any pathological injuries after exposure.Evans blue stain was utilized to identify lung permeability,wet/dry lung ratio,and protein concentration in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF)to assess the lung injury's severity.The modifications in inflammatory factors,oxidative stress indicators,and iron content in lung tissue were assessed.Results The results showed that the 2.5 ATA 99.9%oxygen-exposed group experienced a significant worsening of lung injury,as well as increased lung permeability,lung wet/dry ratio,and protein content in alveolar lavage fluid when compared to the control group.Moreover,mRNA levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β,IL-6,TNF-α,and IFN-γ in the lung tissue of the model group were significantly elevated,while the levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-4 and TGF-β were significantly reduced.The oxidative index MDA also significantly increased,while the antioxidant index GSH significantly decreased.Additionally,the expression of GPX4,a marker of ferroptosis,increased with an increase in iron content.Neoscopolamine treatment successfully reversed those effects.Conclusion The combined use of ANI and NEO had a protective effect on pulmonary oxygen poisoning.Neoscopolamine may inhibit inflammation and oxidative stress by activating the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway,thereby reducing the content of free iron in lung tissue and finally inhibiting cell ferroptosis.