Objective:This study investigates the utility of ultrasound in diagnosing eosinophilic fasciitis (EF).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical and ultrasound data of 109 EF patients seen at the center between January 1, 2006, and March 31, 2024. The diagnostic efficacy of ultrasound for EF was evaluated by comparing forearm fascia ultrasound findings among EF patients, systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients, and healthy controls (HC).Results:Among the 109 EF patients (male-to-female ratio 2.2︰1), the median age of onset was 36 (29, 48) years, with a median disease duration of 7 (3, 12) months. The study also included 20 SSc patients [median age 49 (35, 61) years] and 20 HC individuals [median age 48 (29, 54) years]. Ultrasound assessments of forearm fascia in EF patients revealed a median fascial thickness of 1.9 (1.4, 2.4) mm. The median fascial thickness was 0.8 (0.7, 0.9) mm in SSc patients and 0.7 (0.5, 0.9) mm in HC individuals. Fascial thickness in EF patients was greater than in SSc ( Z=-11.16, P<0.001) and HC groups ( Z=-11.87, P<0.001). There was a correlation between fascia thickness and C-reactive protein ( r=0.148, P=0.004), erythrocyte sedimentation rate ( r=0.143, P=0.005), and immunoglobulin G ( r=0.120, P=0.020) in EF patients. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis demonstrated a sensitivity of 84.0% and specificity of 95.9% for EF diagnosis, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.921 and a cut-off value of 1.005 mm. Conclusion:Ultrasound detection of forearm fascial thickening (>1 mm) aids in diagnosing eosinophilic fasciitis, indicating that ultrasound is a supplementary diagnostic tool for EF.

Objective:This study investigates the utility of ultrasound in diagnosing eosinophilic fasciitis (EF).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical and ultrasound data of 109 EF patients seen at the center between January 1, 2006, and March 31, 2024. The diagnostic efficacy of ultrasound for EF was evaluated by comparing forearm fascia ultrasound findings among EF patients, systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients, and healthy controls (HC).Results:Among the 109 EF patients (male-to-female ratio 2.2︰1), the median age of onset was 36 (29, 48) years, with a median disease duration of 7 (3, 12) months. The study also included 20 SSc patients [median age 49 (35, 61) years] and 20 HC individuals [median age 48 (29, 54) years]. Ultrasound assessments of forearm fascia in EF patients revealed a median fascial thickness of 1.9 (1.4, 2.4) mm. The median fascial thickness was 0.8 (0.7, 0.9) mm in SSc patients and 0.7 (0.5, 0.9) mm in HC individuals. Fascial thickness in EF patients was greater than in SSc ( Z=-11.16, P<0.001) and HC groups ( Z=-11.87, P<0.001). There was a correlation between fascia thickness and C-reactive protein ( r=0.148, P=0.004), erythrocyte sedimentation rate ( r=0.143, P=0.005), and immunoglobulin G ( r=0.120, P=0.020) in EF patients. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis demonstrated a sensitivity of 84.0% and specificity of 95.9% for EF diagnosis, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.921 and a cut-off value of 1.005 mm. Conclusion:Ultrasound detection of forearm fascial thickening (>1 mm) aids in diagnosing eosinophilic fasciitis, indicating that ultrasound is a supplementary diagnostic tool for EF.

Irradiation based on accelerator is the main method of radionuclide production. In recent years, with the development of theranostics of nuclear medicine, there is a new demand for the preparation of accelerator radionuclides. In this paper, the nuclides and nuclide pairs of theranostics prepared by accelerators are divided into the three categories: nuclides of theranostics, nuclide pairs of theranostics of same element and different elements. The physical properties and current applications of some nuclides and nuclide pairs are introduced. The problems in the application of accelerator radionuclides preparation in China are analyzed, and the application prospect of the integration of accelerator radionuclides diagnosis and treatment is prospected.

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to update the latest data on the prevalence of hypertension (HTN) in the elderly Chinese population and to assess relationships between new anthropometric indices and HTN. METHODS: Data were obtained from the Basic Public Health Service (BPHS) survey for Jiangsu Province, China. A total of 944,760 people aged 65 years and older were included in this study. Blood pressure was measured by trained investigators. Body weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-height ratio (WtHR), conicity index (COI), body roundness index (BRI), and a body shape index (ABSI) were included in the analysis as anthropometric indices. Logistic regression analysis and restricted cubic splines were used to evaluate the association of anthropometric indices with HTN. RESULTS: The prevalence of HTN among elderly residents of Jiangsu Province was 64.7% (95% confidence interval, 64.6 to 64.8). After adjusting for multiple covariates, all anthropometric indices except ABSI showed significant non-linear positive dose-response associations with HTN across sex (pnonlinear<0.001). Among participants with BMI <28 kg/m2, abnormal weight, WC, WtHR, BRI, COI, and ABSI were positively associated with HTN. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of HTN in the elderly in Jiangsu Province is gradually increasing. It is necessary to consider the combination of ABSI and COI with BMI for screening elderly individuals for HTN in follow-up prospective studies.

BACKGROUND:Atlantoaxial fusion is currently the main surgical treatment of atlantoaxial dislocation, but the premise is at the expense of atlantoaxial range of motion, especial y the rotation motion. Restricted non-fusion fixation is a method that can maintain the atlantoaxial stability, while retain the atlantoaxial range of motion. Further research should be performed to compare the biomechanical characteristics between the two methods. OBJECTIVE:To develop a three-dimensional finite element model of atlantoaxial instability, compare and determine the biomechanical properties of posterior atlantoaxial restricted non-fusion fixation system and posterior atlantoaxial screw-rod fixation system. METHODS:A verified intact finite element upper cervical (C0-C3) model was established and analyzed by Simpleware 3.0, Geomagic 8.0, Hypermesh 10.0, Abaqus 6.9, and Rhino 4.0 softwares based on the CT data col ected from a 31-year-old healthy male volunteer. The moment couple of 1.5 N?m was loaded, which made the model movement in flexion-extension, lateral bending, and rotating direction, respectively. The range of motion was recorded and compared with the in vitro biomechanical experimental data to verify the effectiveness of the model. The ranges of motion of the posterior atlantoaxial restricted non-fusion fixation system model and the posterior atlantoaxial screw-rod fixation system model were analyzed using the finite element method under flexion, extension, lateral bending, and axial rotation;meanwhile, stress nephograms of the posterior atlantoaxial restricted non-fusion fixation system model were observed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) There were 206 747 elements and 72 500 nodes in the intact model of upper cervical spine (C0-C3) in this experiment, and the range of motion of intact model validated with the reported cadaveric experimental data. (2) The range of motion of the posterior atlantoaxial restricted non-fusion fixation system group was similar to which of the posterior atlantoaxial screw-rod fixation system group in flexion-extension direction. (3) In lateral bending direction, the range of motion of the posterior atlantoaxial restricted non-fusion fixation system model was obviously limited, respectively. The range of motion of the posterior atlantoaxial restricted non-fusion fixation system model was larger than that of the atlantoaxial dislocation model and basical y same as that of the normal atlantoaxial model. (4) As to the rotating direction, the range of motion of the posterior atlantoaxial restricted non-fusion fixation system mainly disappeared at the atlantoaxial segment;by contrast, a majority of rotating motion was stil retained in the posterior atlantoaxial restricted non-fusion fixation system group. (5) The stress concentration occurred in the contact part between the screw and the connecting rod in posterior atlantoaxial restricted non-fusion fixation system model. (6) Results suggest that posterior atlantoaxial restricted non-fusion fixation system is effective and useful for atlantoaxial fixation. It not only restricted atlantoaxial flexion-extension, but also preserved axial rotation and lateral bending at the atlantoaxial joint.

Background:Drug-induced liver injury( DILI)is a kind of commonly seen diseases,in which typical clinical manifestations are lacking and misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis are frequently occurred. Aims:To investigate the clinical characteristics of patients with DILI. Methods:Clinical data of patients with DILI at Zhongshan Hospital,Xiamen University from January 2014 to December 2015 were collected. Clinical characteristics were retrospectively analyzed and the relationship between clinical characteristics and prognosis was investigated. Results:A total of 51 patients with DILI were enrolled,the ratio of male to female was 1∶ 1. 32,the average age at diagnosis was(50. 6 ± 17. 9)years old,the highest proportion(43. 1% )of patients were aged 60 and older. Hepatocellular damage was the main type of liver injury (84. 3% ). Chinese herbs,cardiovascular drugs,hormone and endocrine drugs were the most common drugs causing DILI, which accounted for 51. 0% ,19. 6% and 9. 8% ,respectively. Concomitant diseases of DILI covered many systems. The clinical manifestation of DILI was atypical,and the laboratory examination also lacked specificity. The positivity rate of autoimmune antibody was 5. 9% . Most patients had good prognosis,and the cure rate and improvement rate were 21. 6%and 66. 7% ,respectively. The mortality rate was 5. 9% with the cause of death being liver failure. Levels of alanine aminotransferase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST),total bilirubin(TBIL),albumin,prothrombin time(PT) and international normalized ratio( INR) at admission were correlated significantly with prognosis( P ﹤ 0. 05 ). Conclusions:DILI commonly occurs in elderly population,and inappropriate use of Chinese herbs maybe the important cause. The clinical manifestation of DILI is not typical,and most patients have good prognosis. Levels of ALT,AST, TBIL,albumin,PT and INR at admission are correlated significantly with prognosis.

Objective To explore the distinctive ultrasonographic characters of enthesitis in patients with spondyloarthritis (SpA) and evaluate the diagnostic value of ultrasonography in SpA by comparing ultrasonography of enthesis in the lower limbs of patients with SpA,rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis(OA).Methods Entheses in the lower limbs (quadriceps tendon,proximal patellar ligament,distal patellar ligament,achilles tendon and plantar aponeurosis) were detected in SpA,RA,OA patients and health controls by ultrasonographic examination.Results A total of 46 SpA,23 RA and 12 OA patients were enrolled in this study,with 26 SpA and 7 RA patients complaining of heel pain(P ＜0.05).There were 126 enthesal sites(126/460,27.2％) were detected abnormal in SpA group,compared with 54 of 230 (23.5 ％) sites in RA group and 27 of 120 (22.5 ％) sites in OA group (P ＞ 0.05).Sixty five (70.7 ％) sites of the distal patellar ligaments were abnormal in SpA group,while that were 19(41.3％)in RA group(P ＜ 0.05)and 13 (54.2％)in OA group.Twenty six sites of tendon thickness and 22 sites of bone erosion in the distal patellar ligaments were found in SpA group,while only one site of each in RA group(P ＜ 0.05) and 4 sites of tendon thickness in OA group (P ＜ 0.05) were found.Tendon thickness,bursal synovitis and bone erosion coexisting in one distal patellar ligament indicated SpA,the sensitivity,specificity and the area under the curve (AUC) of which were 70.7％,65.5％ and 0.740,respectively.Conclusion Tendon thickness and bone erosion of entheses were more likely the distinctive ultrasonographic characters of enthesitis in SpA patients.Tendon thickness,bursal synovitis and bone erosion in the distal patellar ligament could be an ideal tool for SpA diagnosis.

Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) in treatment of chyluria.Methods Retrospectively analyze the HIFU-based treatment results of 131 patients with chyluria received treatment between Jan 2010 and Jun 2011.The patients' age ranges from 23 to 83 years old,with average 59.The patients consisted of 59 male patients and 72 female patients.74 cases were on the left side,right side 51 cases,6 cases bilateral.There were 47 patients with chylous hematuria,22 cases of recurrence after renal pedicle lymphatic vessel ligation,5 cases of recurrence after laparoscopic ligation of renal lymphatic,1 cases of recurrent pelvic perfusion after silver nitrate.The treatment was carried out according to the following procedure.The affected kidney pedicle and superior segment of ureter,after being divided into two or three irradiation layers,were irradiated daily from deep to superficial layers which completely cover the affected kidney pedicle and superior segment of ureter.The technical parameters of the treatment were:focal region size 4 mm×4 mm×7 mm,Ultrasonic power 800-1100 W,Unit firing time 0.15s,Dutv time 0.18s,Single point total transmit 50 times.The patients were followed up and re-examined within one to five years after treatment.Statistical analyses were conducted on the data of Color doppler ultrasound images on kidney pedicle and renal function tests before and after the treatment,blood routine examination and routine urianlysis.Results 116 patients were followed up and the treatment to 96 of them was deemed effective in which 85 patients completely recovered (73.3％ recovering rate) and 11 patients became better (9.5％).The other 20 patients (17.2％) was ineffective.With regard to the time required to cure chyluria,67 patients (69.8％) required one week,13 (13.5％) required two weeks,11 (11.5％) required four weeks,and 5 (7.5％) required five weeks.Results of color doppler ultrasound images on kidney pedicle and renal function tests were as follows.The volume of kidney,the inner diameter of renal artery,Vmax,RI,inner diameter and blood flow rate of renal vein and serum Cr,serum BUN had no significant difference before and after the treatment (P＞0.05).Results of anemia,hematuria,microscopic hematuria and urinary protein positive were significantly different from the before-treatment results (P＜0.05).During the treatment process,all patients had stable vital signs without serious complications.Conclusions Treating chyluria with HIFU could be a safe and effective method.

[Summary] With populational proportional sampling (PPS) method in Baiguo village,one central primary sehool was selected,and villagers aged 20-80 in nearly village were chosen as control.Cross-seetional survey methodology was employed,B-type ultrasonography was used to determine thyroid volume and nodule of ebildren.Arsenic cerium catalytic spectrophotonetric assay was employed to detect urinary iodine.A direct titration measurement was used to determinate iodine content in salt.180 children aged 6-12 were surveyed,2 cases of goiter were found (1.11％).16 cases of thyroid nodules were discovered(8.89％),including 3 boys(3.45％,n =87) and 13 girls(13.98％,n =93).Girls had a higher prevalence than boys (x2 =6.154,P =0.015).The prevalence of thyroid nodules in that village was 24.51％,being statistically significant between 2 groups (x2 =17.368,P =0.001),and increasing with the age.

Objective To evaluate the outcome of posterior screw-rod fixation system in reduction and internal fixation of atlantoaxial dislocation. Methods A retrospective study was done on 27 patients with atlantoaxial instability including 18 male and 9 female (at age range of 13-51 years, mean 31 years) from January 2007 to May 2009. There were 11 patients with chronic odontoid fractures, five with isolated bone odontoid, seven with transverse ligament rupture of atlas and four with rheumatoid arthritis. Skeletal reduction was performed in all the patients. The anterior atlantodens interval (ADI)ranged from 8 mm to 15 mm, average 11 mm. All the patients underwent an intraoperative reduction by posterior C1 lateral mass and C2 pedicle screws with rod fixation. According to American Spine Injury Association (ASIA) impairment scale, there were eight patients at grade B, 15 at grade C and four at grade D. Results All patients were followed up for 6-24 months (average 13 months), which showed that the neck symptoms were improved, with bony union. The ADI was reduced to 2-4 mm (average 2.8 mm)postoperatively. Postoperative ASIA scale was grade C in four patients, grade D in 12 and grade E in 11.There were no neurologic or vascular complications occurred, or no failure of the internal fixtors, pseudarthrosis or instability. Conclusion Posterior screw-rod fixation system has advantages of simple procedures, few complications and good results and can be used for intraoperative reduction of atlantoaxial dislocation.