OBJECTIVE: To explore the efficacy of a Thalassemia risk assessment software for the screening of thalassemia mutation carriers and distribution of thalassemia genotypes detected by screening. METHODS: A total of 6 040 individuals were evaluated at Leshan Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital between 2022 and 2024 using the commonly used clinical thalassemia risk assessment method and the thalassemia screening software, respectively, and the performance indicators of the two methods were compared and analyzed against the result of thalassemia gene testing. This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of our hospital (Ethics No.: LfyLL[2022]005). RESULTS: The high-risk rate by the thalassemia screening software was 11.19%, with a sensitivity of 95.12%, specificity of 93.28%, positive predictive value of 43.20%, negative predictive value of 99.72%, and the area under the ROC curve (AUC) was 0.942. The thalassemia gene detection rate of the high-risk samples screened was 4.83%. The high-risk screening rate of the conventional method was 2.50%, with a sensitivity of 51.22%, specificity of 93.28%, positive predictive value of 80.79%, negative predictive value of 97.40%, and the AUC was 0.754. The thalassemia gene detection rate of the high-risk samples was 2.02%. CONCLUSION The software can effectively detect thalassemia carriers and significantly reduce the missed detection compared with conventional method, thereby significantly improve the efficacy of screening.
Humans ; Thalassemia/diagnosis* ; Software ; Female ; Genetic Testing/methods* ; Male ; Mutation ; Adult ; Genotype ; ROC Curve ; Risk Assessment

Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of unilateral biportal endoscopy (UBE) assisted bilateral decompression in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation with imaging herniation on one side and clinical symptoms on the contralateral side.Methods:A total of 20 patients with lumbar disc herniation with imaging herniation on one side and clinical symptoms on the contralateral side treated with UBE from January 2022 to January 2024 in the Affiliated Hospital of Binzhou Medical University were retrospectively analyzed. There were 9 males and 11 females, aged 50.4±14.0 years (range, 23-72 years). The intervertebral disc herniation level included L 3-4 in 1 case, L 4-5 in 15 cases, and L 5S 1 in 4 cases. There were 10 cases on the left side and 10 cases on the right side. The duration of symptoms was 24.1±33.7 months (range, 1-120 months). Visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI) were used to evaluate postoperative pain relief and functional recovery. The clinical efficacy was evaluated by modified MacNab criteria at 6 months after operation. Results:All patients successfully completed the operation. The operation time was 90.3±24.6 min (range, 55-134 mins). The VAS scores of patients at 3 days, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months after operation were 3.6±0.9, 2.2±0.7, 1.2±0.5 and 1.0±0.6, respectively, which were lower than those before operation (6.4±0.8), and the differences were statistically significant ( F=668.728, P<0.001). The ODI at 3 days, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months after operation were 34.2%±4.7%, 28.7%±2.8%, 24.3%±2.1% and 20.5%±2.0%, respectively, which were lower than 69.4%±5.2% before operation, and the differences were statistically significant ( F=515.578, P<0.001). The clinical efficacy was evaluated by modified MacNab criteria at 6 months after operation. Among 20 patients, 18 cases were excellent, 1 case was good, and 1 case was fair. All patients were followed up for 9.1±2.1 months (range, 6-14 months). One patient had a dural tear during the operation, but the range was small and there was no defect, and no further treatment was performed. Numbness of the lower limbs occurred 1 day after operation, and the symptoms disappeared after symptomatic treatment. There was no recurrence of lower limb symptoms, lumbar instability, intervertebral space infection or other complications at the last follow-up. Conclusion:Bilateral decompression with UBE is effective in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation with imaging herniation on one side and clinical symptoms on the contralateral side, which can improve the lumbar pain and function of patients.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effectiveness of digital three-dimensional (3D) assisted unilateral biportal endoscopy (UBE) in the treatment of highly isolated lumbar disc herniation (LDH) with translaminar approach. METHODS: The clinical data of 59 patients who met the selection criteria and underwent UBE treatment due to highly isolated LDH between January 2022 and December 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 25 cases were treated with digital 3D assisted translaminar approach (observation group) and 34 cases were treated with interlaminar approach (control group). There was no significant difference in gender, age, disease duration, surgical segment, and preoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) score and Oswestry disability index (ODI) between the two groups ( P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and lateral articular surface preservation rate were recorded and compared between the two groups. VAS score and ODI were used to evaluate the improvements of pain and function before operation and at 3 and 6 months after operation. The modified MacNab criteria was used to evaluate the effectiveness at last follow-up. RESULTS: One patient in the control group had dural tear, and the other patients had no nerve injury, infection, dural tear, or other related complications. There was no significant difference in operation time and intraoperative blood loss between the two groups ( P>0.05). Patients in both groups were followed up 6-13 months, with an average of 8.3 months. The lateral articular surface preservation rate in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group ( P<0.05). Three patients in the observation group and 2 patients in the control group had calf muscle venous thrombosis, which was cured after anticoagulant treatment with rivaroxaban and delayed exercise time. There was no recurrence or second operation during the follow-up period. The VAS score and ODI of the two groups at 3 and 6 months after operation significantly improved when compared with those before operation ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups at each time point after operation ( P>0.05). At last follow-up, the effectiveness was evaluated according to the modified MacNab criteria, and there was no significant difference in the evaluation grade and excellent and good rate between the two groups ( P>0.05). CONCLUTION UBE via translaminar approach is safe and effective for the treatment of highly isolated LDH, which is beneficial to protect the facet joint, maintain spinal stability, and reduce soft tissue injury. With the assistance of digital 3D technique, preoperative planning can be performed accurately.
Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement/diagnostic imaging* ; Lumbar Vertebrae/diagnostic imaging* ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Female ; Endoscopy/methods* ; Treatment Outcome ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Operative Time ; Pain Measurement

Objective This study aims to investigate the expression, phenotypic changes, and mechanisms of action of guanylate-binding protein 2 (GBP2) in the process of silica-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Methods The expression and localization of GBP2 in silicotic lung tissue were detected by immunohistochemical staining and immunofluorescence. An in vitro cell model was constructed, and methods such as Western blot and real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerasechain reaction were utilized to investigate the function of GBP2 in different cell lines following silica stimulation. The mechanism of action of GBP2 in various cell lines was elucidated using Western blot analysis. Results GBP2 was highly expressed in the lung tissue of patients with silicosis. Immunohistochemical staining and immunofluorescence have revealed that GBP2 was localized in macrophages and epithelial cells. In vitro cell experiments demonstrated that silicon dioxide stimulated THP-1 cells to activate the c-Jun pathway through GBP2, promoting the secretion of inflammatory factors and facilitating the occurrence of M2 macrophage polarization. In epithelial cells, GBP2 promoted the occurrence of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) by upregulating Krueppel-like factor 8 (KLF8). Conclusion GBP2 not only activates c-Jun in macrophages to promote the production of inflammatory factors and the occurrence of M2 macrophage polarization, but also activates the transcription factor KLF8 in epithelial cells to induce EMT, collectively promoting the progression of silicosis.
Humans ; Silicosis/genetics* ; Macrophages/cytology* ; Epithelial Cells/pathology* ; GTP-Binding Proteins/physiology* ; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition ; Disease Progression ; Cell Line ; Male

Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of unilateral biportal endoscopy (UBE) assisted bilateral decompression in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation with imaging herniation on one side and clinical symptoms on the contralateral side.Methods:A total of 20 patients with lumbar disc herniation with imaging herniation on one side and clinical symptoms on the contralateral side treated with UBE from January 2022 to January 2024 in the Affiliated Hospital of Binzhou Medical University were retrospectively analyzed. There were 9 males and 11 females, aged 50.4±14.0 years (range, 23-72 years). The intervertebral disc herniation level included L 3-4 in 1 case, L 4-5 in 15 cases, and L 5S 1 in 4 cases. There were 10 cases on the left side and 10 cases on the right side. The duration of symptoms was 24.1±33.7 months (range, 1-120 months). Visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI) were used to evaluate postoperative pain relief and functional recovery. The clinical efficacy was evaluated by modified MacNab criteria at 6 months after operation. Results:All patients successfully completed the operation. The operation time was 90.3±24.6 min (range, 55-134 mins). The VAS scores of patients at 3 days, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months after operation were 3.6±0.9, 2.2±0.7, 1.2±0.5 and 1.0±0.6, respectively, which were lower than those before operation (6.4±0.8), and the differences were statistically significant ( F=668.728, P<0.001). The ODI at 3 days, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months after operation were 34.2%±4.7%, 28.7%±2.8%, 24.3%±2.1% and 20.5%±2.0%, respectively, which were lower than 69.4%±5.2% before operation, and the differences were statistically significant ( F=515.578, P<0.001). The clinical efficacy was evaluated by modified MacNab criteria at 6 months after operation. Among 20 patients, 18 cases were excellent, 1 case was good, and 1 case was fair. All patients were followed up for 9.1±2.1 months (range, 6-14 months). One patient had a dural tear during the operation, but the range was small and there was no defect, and no further treatment was performed. Numbness of the lower limbs occurred 1 day after operation, and the symptoms disappeared after symptomatic treatment. There was no recurrence of lower limb symptoms, lumbar instability, intervertebral space infection or other complications at the last follow-up. Conclusion:Bilateral decompression with UBE is effective in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation with imaging herniation on one side and clinical symptoms on the contralateral side, which can improve the lumbar pain and function of patients.

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors worldwide. Due to the heterogeneity in patient outcomes and treatment responses to standard therapy regimens, personalized diagnostic and therapeutic strategies have remained a focus of sustained interest in research. In recent years, with the rapid progression of artificial intelligence (AI) technology in the medical field, an abundance of phased research results has emerged in the decision-making for preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative diagnostic and therapeutic plans for colorectal cancer, demonstrating great potential for application. This new and efficient solution provides for the personalized evaluations and auxiliary diagnoses and treatments of patients with colorectal cancer. In the future, AI systems may continue to advance towards multimodal, multi-omics, and real-time directions. This paper aims to explore the current state of research on the multi-faceted auxiliary applications of AI in the diagnosis and treatment of colorectal cancer, as well as to present a prospective view of the innovations that AI technology could bring to personalized colorectal cancer treatment in the future and the challenges it may face.

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors worldwide. Due to the heterogeneity in patient outcomes and treatment responses to standard therapy regimens, personalized diagnostic and therapeutic strategies have remained a focus of sustained interest in research. In recent years, with the rapid progression of artificial intelligence (AI) technology in the medical field, an abundance of phased research results has emerged in the decision-making for preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative diagnostic and therapeutic plans for colorectal cancer, demonstrating great potential for application. This new and efficient solution provides for the personalized evaluations and auxiliary diagnoses and treatments of patients with colorectal cancer. In the future, AI systems may continue to advance towards multimodal, multi-omics, and real-time directions. This paper aims to explore the current state of research on the multi-faceted auxiliary applications of AI in the diagnosis and treatment of colorectal cancer, as well as to present a prospective view of the innovations that AI technology could bring to personalized colorectal cancer treatment in the future and the challenges it may face.

Objective To analyze the expression levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3[25-(OH)D3],insulin-like growth factor 1(IGF-1)and complement C3 in children patients with Henoch-Sch?nlein purpura(HSP)and their predictive efficiency on disease progression.Methods A total of 102 children patients with HSP ad-mitted and treated in this hospital from June 2018 to June 2023 were selected as the study subjects and includ-ed in the observation group.They were divided into the mild group(35 cases),moderate group(41 cases)and severe group(26 cases)according to the severity degree.Additionally,50 healthy children undergoing physical examination during the same period served as the control group.The differences in serum 25-(OH)D3,IGF-1 and complement C3 levels were compared among the groups,as well as their correlations with the disease se-verity.Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the influencing factors of disease progression in chil-dren patients with HSP,and the value of 25-(OH)D3,IGF-1 and complement C3 in predicting disease progres-sion was assessed by using the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve.Results The levels of 25-(OH)D3 and C3 in the observation group were lower than those in the control group,while the level of IGF-1 was higher than that in the control group(P＜0.05).The levels of 25-(OH)D3 and C3 in the severe group were lower than those in the mild group and moderate group,moreover the moderate group was lower than the mild group(P＜0.05).The level of IGF-1 in the severe group was higher than that in the mild group and moderate group,moreover the moderate group was higher than the mild group(P＜0.05).The Spearman correlation a-nalysis results indicated that the levels of 25-(OH)D3 and complement C3 were negatively correlated with dis-ease severity(r=-0.375,-0.576,P＜0.05),while the level of IGF-1 was positively correlated with the dis-ease severity(r=0.866,P＜0.05).The ROC curve analysis results revealed that the area under the curve(AUC)of the combined detection of 25-(OH)D3,complement C3 and IGF-1 for predicting the disease pro-gression was the maximal(0.888),the sensitivity was 81.4％,the specificity was 82.0％and the Youden in-dex was 0.634.Conclusion 25-(OH)D3,IGF-1 and complement C3 have the higher sensitivity and specificity in comprehensively assessing the disease progression of children patients with HSP,and possess the higher clinical value on the risk evaluation of the disease progress in the children patients with HSP.

Objectives:to analyze the efficacy of percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI)for complex left main(LM)lesions combined with chronic total occlusion(CTO)of the right coronary artery. Methods:Ninety patients with complex left main lesions hospitalized in Hunan Provincial People's Hospital from January 2019 to December 2022 were consecutively included.According to the coronary angiographic vascular lesions,patients were divided into complex left main lesions combined with right coronary artery CTO(observation group,n=30)and complex left main lesions without right coronary artery CTO(control group,n=60).The baseline clinical data,intraoperative conditions,angiographic results,and postoperative follow-up results of the patients were analyzed and compared between the two groups. Results:Fifty-eight(64.4%)out of the 90 patients were male.There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of baseline clinical data(all P>0.05),left main lesion condition(P=1.000),left main calcification condition(P=0.249),and preoperative TIMI flow grading(P=1.000).In the comparison between observation group and the control group,intraoperative occurrence of no-reflow(3.3%vs.5.0%,P=1.000),hypotension(10.0%vs.8.3%,P=1.000),pericardial effusion(3.3%vs.0%,P=0.333),the percentage of intravascular ultrasound(IVUS)use(86.7%vs.90.0%,P=0.635),and the use of circulatory assist device(P=0.699),and the proportion of intraoperative coronary spinning(26.7%vs.21.7%,P=0.597)were all similar between the two groups.The median follow-up time was 14.50(11.83,15.85)months,and the differences in the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events(MACE)such as recurrent angina,acute myocardial infarction,rebleeding,readmission for heart failure,and cardiac death(31.0%vs.32.1%,P=1.000)were not statistically significant between the observation group and the control group. Conclusions:PCI revascularization may be a viable approach for elderly patients with complex LM lesions with multiple underlying disease,and combined right coronary artery CTO,intolerance and reluctance to CABG.

Objective:To investigate the influencing factors of refractory anastomotic stenosis after laparoscopic intersphincteric resection (Ls-ISR) for rectal cancer and construction of nomogram prediction model.Methods:The retrospective case-control study was conducted. The clinicopatho-logical data of 495 patients who underwent Ls-ISR for rectal cancer in two medical centers, including 448 patients in Peking University First Hospital and 47 patients in Cancer Hospital Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, from June 2012 to December 2021 were collected. There were 311 males and 184 females, aged 61 (range, 20-84)years. Observation indicators: (1) incidence of anastomotic stenosis; (2) influencing factors of refractory anastomotic stenosis after Ls-ISR; (3) construction and evaluation of nomogram prediction model for refractory anastomotic stenosis after Ls-ISR. Follow-up was conducted using outpatient examination and telephone interview to detect the incidence of postoperative anastomotic leakage and anastomotic stenosis up to August 2022. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean± SD, and comparison between groups was conducted using the t test. Measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M(range). Count data were described as absolute numbers, and comparison between groups was conducted using the chi-square test. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted using the Logistic regression model. Factors with P<0.10 in univariate analysis were included in multivariate analysis. The R software (3.6.3 version) was used to construct nomogram prediction model. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was drawn and the area under curve (AUC) was used to evaluate the efficacy of nomogram prediction model. Results:(1) Incidence of anastomotic stenosis. All 495 patients underwent Ls-ISR successfully, without conversion to laparotomy, and all patients were followed up for 47(range, 8-116)months. During the follow-up period, there were 458 patients without anas-tomotic stenosis, and 37 patients with anastomotic stenosis. Of the 37 patients, there were 15 cases with grade A anastomotic stenosis, 3 cases with grade B anastomotic stenosis and 19 cases with grade C anastomotic stenosis, including 22 cases being identified as the refractory anastomotic stenosis. Fifteen patients with grade A anastomotic stenosis were relieved after anal dilation treat-ment. Three patients with grade B anastomotic stenosis were improved after balloon dilation and endoscopic treatment. Nineteen patients with grade C anastomotic stenosis underwent permanent stoma. During the follow-up period, there were 42 cases with anastomotic leakage including 17 cases combined with refractory anastomotic stenosis, and 453 cases without anastomotic leakage including 5 cases with refractory anastomotic stenosis. There was a significant difference in the refractory anastomotic stenosis between patients with and without anastomotic leakage ( χ2=131.181, P<0.05). (2) Influencing factors of refractory anastomotic stenosis after Ls-ISR. Results of multivariate analysis showed that neoadjuvant therapy, distance from tumor to anal margin ≤4 cm, clinic N+ stage were independent risk factors of refractory anastomotic stenosis after Ls-ISR ( hazard ratio=7.297, 3.898, 2.672, 95% confidence interval as 2.870-18.550, 1.050-14.465, 1.064-6.712, P<0.05). (3) Construction and evaluation of nomogram prediction model for refractory anastomotic stenosis after Ls-ISR. Based on the results of multivariate analysis, neoadjuvant therapy, distance from tumor to anal margin and clinic N staging were included to constructed the nomogram prediction model for refractory anastomotic stenosis after Ls-ISR. Results of ROC curve showed the AUC of nomogram prediction model for refractory anastomotic stenosis after Ls-ISR was 0.739 (95% confidence interval as 0.646-0.833). Conclusions:Neoadjuvant therapy, distance from tumor to anal margin ≤4 cm, clinic N+ stage are independent risk factors of refractory anastomotic stenosis after Ls-ISR. Nomogram prediction model based on these factors can predict the incidence of refractory anastomotic stenosis after Ls-ISR.