Objective:To characterize the vaginal flora of pregnant women during the second trimester using full-length 16S rRNA sequencing.Methods:A total of 142 pregnant women were systematically sampled from a pregnancy cohort. Vaginal swabs were collected for full-length 16S rRNA gene sequencing，and bioinformatics analysis was performed to characterize the vaginal microbiota and identify associated influencing factors.Results:Among the 142 pregnant women，the most frequently detected species were Lactobacillus iners（83.10%，118/142）and Lactobacillus crispatus（49.30%，70/142）. The majority of samples（90.85%，129/142）were classified as Lactobacillus-dominant vagitypes，with the Lactobacillus iners vagitype accounting for 48.59%（69/142）and the Lactobacillus crispatus vagitype accounting for 38.73%（55/142）. The vaginal microbiota was clustered into five community state types（CSTs）：Ⅰa，Ⅰb，Ⅲa，Ⅲb，and Ⅳ. The most prevalent CSTs were Lactobacillus iners-dominated CST-Ⅲ（51.41%，73/142）and Lactobacillus crispatus-dominated CST-Ⅰ（24.65%，35/142）. No samples were classified as CST-Ⅱ or CST-Ⅴ. A significant negative correlation was observed between Lactobacill and vaginosis-associated bacteria. Age，alcohol consumption，smoking，and vaginal treatments showed significant associations or trends toward significance with various Alpha diversity indices. Vaginal douching was associated with CST clustering，while obstetric history（primiparity，previous miscarriage history）was associated with vagitype classification. However，no significant associations were identified between maternal baseline characteristics and Beta diversity indices. Conclusions:Full-length 16S rRNA gene sequencing reveals that the vaginal microbiota of pregnant women is dominated by Lactobacillus iners and Lactobacillus crispatus. Maternal age，lifestyle factors such as smoking and alcohol consumption，and obstetric history are significantly associated with variations in vaginal microbiota composition.

Objective To evaluate the predictive ability and clinical application value of artificial intelligence (AI) systems in the benign and malignant differentiation and pathological type of pulmonary nodules, and to summarize clinical application experience. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of patients with pulmonary nodules admitted to the Department of Thoracic Surgery, Second Hospital of Lanzhou University, from February 2016 to February 2025. Firstly, pulmonary nodules were divided into benign and non-benign groups, and the discriminative abilities of AI systems and clinicians were compared. Subsequently, lung nodules reported as precursor glandular lesions (PGL), microinvasive adenocarcinoma (MIA), and invasive adenocarcinoma (IAC) in postoperative pathological results were analyzed, comparing the efficacy of AI systems and clinicians in predicting the pathological type of pulmonary nodules. Results In the analysis of benign/non-benign pulmonary nodules, clinical data from a total of 638 patients with pulmonary nodules were included, of which there were 257 males (10 patients and 1 patient of double and triple primary lesions, respectively) and 381 females (18 patients and 1 patient of double and triple primary lesions, respectively), with a median age of 55.0 (47.0, 61.0) years. Different lesions in the same patient were analyzed as independent samples. Univariate analysis of the two groups of variables showed that, except for nodule location, the differences in the remaining variables were statistically significant (P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age, nodule type (subsolid pulmonary nodule), average density, spicule sign, and vascular convergence sign were independent influencing factors for non-benign pulmonary nodules, among which age, nodule type (subsolid pulmonary nodule), spicule sign, and vascular convergence sign were positively correlated with non-benign pulmonary nodules, while average density was negatively correlated with the occurrence of non-benign pulmonary nodules. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of the malignancy risk value given by the AI system in predicting non-benign pulmonary nodules was 0.811, slightly lower than the 0.898 predicted by clinicians. In the PGL/MIA/IAC analysis, clinical data from a total of 411 patients with pulmonary nodules were included, of which there were 149 males (8 patients of double primary lesions) and 262 females (17 patients of double primary lesions), with a median age of 56.0 (50.0, 61.0) years. Different lesions in the same patient were analyzed as independent samples. Univariate analysis results showed that, except for gender, nodule location, and vascular convergence sign, the differences in the remaining variables among the three groups of PGL, MIA, and IAC patients were statistically significant (P<0.05). Multinomial multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the differences between the parameters in the PGL group and the MIA group were not statistically significant (P>0.05), and the maximum diameter and average density of the nodules were statistically different between the PGL and IAC groups (P<0.05), and were positively correlated with the occurrence of IAC as independent risk factors. The average AUC value, accuracy, recall rate, and F1 score of the AI system in predicting lung nodule pathological type were 0.807, 74.3%, 73.2%, and 68.5%, respectively, all better than the clinical physicians’ prediction of lung nodule pathological type indicators (0.782, 70.9%, 66.2%, and 63.7% respectively). The AUC value of the AI system in predicting IAC was 0.853, and the sensitivity, specificity, and optimal cutoff value were 0.643, 0.943, and 50.0%, respectively. Conclusion This AI system has demonstrated high clinical value in predicting the benign and malignant nature and pathological type of lung nodules, especially in predicting lung nodule pathological type, its ability has surpassed that of clinical physicians. With the optimization of algorithms and the adequate integration of multimodal data, it can better assist clinical physicians in formulating individualized diagnostic and treatment plans for patients with lung nodules.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the accuracy and safety of pedicle screw placement using 3D-printed auxiliary guides in scoliosis correction surgery for adolescents. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 51 patients who underwent posterior scoliosis correction surgery from January 2020 to March 2023. Among them, there were 35 cases of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis and 16 cases of congenital scoliosis. The patients were divided into two groups based on the auxiliary tool used:the 3D-printed auxiliary guide screw placement group (3D printing group) and the free-hand screw placement group (free-hand group, without auxiliary tools). The 3D printing group included 32 patients (12 males and 20 females) with an average age of (12.59±2.60) years;the free-hand group included 19 patients (7 males and 12 females) with an average age of (14.58±3.53) years. The two groups were compared in terms of screw placement accuracy and safety, spinal correction rate, intraoperative blood loss, number of intraoperative fluoroscopies, operation time, hospital stay, and preoperative and last follow-up scores of the Scoliosis Research Society-22 (SRS-22) questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 707 pedicle screws were placed in the two groups, with 441 screws in the 3D printing group and 266 screws in the free-hand group. All patients in both groups successfully completed the surgery. There was a statistically significant difference in operation time between the two groups (P<0.05). The screw placement accuracy rate of the 3D printing group was 95.46% (421/441), among which the Grade A placement rate was 89.34% (394/441);the screw placement accuracy rate of the free-hand group was 86.47% (230/266), with a Grade A placement rate of 73.31% (195/266). There were statistically significant differences in the accuracy of Grade A, B, and C screw placements between the two groups (P<0.05), while no statistically significant differences were observed in intraoperative blood loss, number of fluoroscopies, correction rate, or hospital stay (P>0.05). In the SRS-22 questionnaire scores, the scores of functional status and activity ability, self-image, mental status, and pain of patients in each group at the last follow-up were significantly improved compared with those before surgery (P<0.05), but there were no statistically significant differences in all scores between the two groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSION In scoliosis correction surgery, compared with traditional free-hand screw placement, the use of 3D-printed auxiliary guides for screw placement significantly improves the accuracy and safety of screw placement and shortens the operation time.
Humans ; Male ; Scoliosis/surgery* ; Female ; Adolescent ; Printing, Three-Dimensional ; Retrospective Studies ; Pedicle Screws ; Child

Objective:To characterize the vaginal flora of pregnant women during the second trimester using full-length 16S rRNA sequencing.Methods:A total of 142 pregnant women were systematically sampled from a pregnancy cohort. Vaginal swabs were collected for full-length 16S rRNA gene sequencing，and bioinformatics analysis was performed to characterize the vaginal microbiota and identify associated influencing factors.Results:Among the 142 pregnant women，the most frequently detected species were Lactobacillus iners（83.10%，118/142）and Lactobacillus crispatus（49.30%，70/142）. The majority of samples（90.85%，129/142）were classified as Lactobacillus-dominant vagitypes，with the Lactobacillus iners vagitype accounting for 48.59%（69/142）and the Lactobacillus crispatus vagitype accounting for 38.73%（55/142）. The vaginal microbiota was clustered into five community state types（CSTs）：Ⅰa，Ⅰb，Ⅲa，Ⅲb，and Ⅳ. The most prevalent CSTs were Lactobacillus iners-dominated CST-Ⅲ（51.41%，73/142）and Lactobacillus crispatus-dominated CST-Ⅰ（24.65%，35/142）. No samples were classified as CST-Ⅱ or CST-Ⅴ. A significant negative correlation was observed between Lactobacill and vaginosis-associated bacteria. Age，alcohol consumption，smoking，and vaginal treatments showed significant associations or trends toward significance with various Alpha diversity indices. Vaginal douching was associated with CST clustering，while obstetric history（primiparity，previous miscarriage history）was associated with vagitype classification. However，no significant associations were identified between maternal baseline characteristics and Beta diversity indices. Conclusions:Full-length 16S rRNA gene sequencing reveals that the vaginal microbiota of pregnant women is dominated by Lactobacillus iners and Lactobacillus crispatus. Maternal age，lifestyle factors such as smoking and alcohol consumption，and obstetric history are significantly associated with variations in vaginal microbiota composition.

【Objective】 To investigate the resource allocation status of blood testing laboratories in 14 blood stations in Gansu Province, explore the impact of differences in basic conditions on the comprehensive testing ability of laboratories, so as to promote the homogenization and standardization of blood screening capacity in blood stations in Gansu and improve blood safety and effectivenes. 【Methods】 An evaluation index system of laboratory resource allocation was constructed and a question-naire was designed. The data of human resources, infrastructure and key equipment of 14 blood stations were collected. The entropy weight -TOPSIS method was used to evaluate and rank the resource allocation of 14 blood stations. 【Results】 In the comprehensive evaluation of blood testing laboratory resource allocation in 14 blood stations in Gansu, the top three were laboratories A, B and I, and the last three were laboratories G, M and J. On the whole, the main issue was unreasonable structure of human resources: most laboratories had unreasonable age structure; except for Laboratory A, there was no personnel with bachelor's degree or above in laboratories; most laboratories had not established a team with intermediate professional titles. In terms of infrastructure, the size of seven laboratories could not meet the needs of modern laboratory testing, and all eight blood stations had no spare nucleic acid laboratories nor a mutual spare laboratory with other blood stations As for the key equipment, 5 laboratories had no automatic blood grouping diagnostic instrument, 5 laboratories only had one set of enzyme immunoassay detection system, 3 laboratories had no spare equipment for the key equipment, which means if the equipment failure could not be repaired in time, the release of results would be affected. 【Conclusion】 There were significant differences in human resources, infrastructure and key equipment of blood testing laboratories in 14 blood stations in Gansu, which had a great impact on laboratory testing capacity and subsequent development. It is suggested that governments at all levels and health administrative departments optimize the input of laboratory resource allocation according to the blood collection volume of blood stations to gradually narrow the differences in resource distribution between different regions, improve the degree of laboratory automation and optimize the personnel structure, so as to build high-quality and efficient blood testing laboratories and ensure the safety of clinical blood use.

【Objective】 To analyze the composition of urinary calculi in Longnan, Gansu province, and the relationship between the composition and clinical characteristics of patients, so as to provide reference for the prevention and treatment of this disease. 【Methods】 The composition of 500 cases of urinary calculi hospitalized in our department during Apr. 2021 and Feb.2023 were analyzed using the infrared spectrum stone composition analyzer. The clinical characteristics of the patients were evaluated and analyzed. 【Results】 The male-to-female ration of patients was 2.70∶1. Most patients aged 21 to 60 years (437, 87.4%). Most cases were ureteral calculi (72.8%), followed by renal calculi (22.2%), and bladder calculi (5.0%). There were 166 cases of calcium oxalate calculi, 293 cases of calcium oxalate + carbonated apatite calculi, 24 cases of calcium oxalate + carbonated apatite + hydroxyl apatite calculi, 4 cases of calcium oxalate + calcium bicarbonate calculi, 7 cases of urate calculi, 6 cases of carbonated apatite + struvite calculi. Oxalate calculi were the most common in all age groups, and urate calculi were the most common in the 21 to 40 age group. Calcium oxalate calculi were most common in the ureter (127, 76.5%), significantly higher than in other sites (χ²=3.222, P=0.020). Calcium oxalate + calcium hydrogen phosphate calculi was the least common in the bladder, significantly different from the other parts (χ²=2.092, P=0.037). Magnesium ammonium phosphate hexahydrate and/or calcium carbonate or calcium oxalate calculi were the most common in the kidney (50.0%), significantly different from the other parts (χ²=9.448, P=0.007). 【Conclusion】 In Longnan area, the incidence of urinary calculi is significantly higher in male than in female. Ureteral calculi are mainly composed of calcium oxalate + carbonated apatite and calcium oxalate. According to different risk factors, individual prevention programs should be developed.

Acute lung injury is one of the common and serious complications of acute aortic dissection, and it greatly affects the recovery of patients. Old age, overweight, hypoxemia, smoking history, hypotension, extensive involvement of dissection and pleural effusion are possible risk factors for the acute lung injury before operation. In addition, deep hypothermia circulatory arrest and blood product infusion can further aggravate the acute lung injury during operation. In this paper, researches on risk factors, prediction model, prevention and treatment of acute aortic dissection with acute lung injury were reviewed, in order to provide assistance for clinical diagnosis and treatment.

An analytical liquid-liquid extraction-gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (LLE-GC-MS) method was established for the determination of genotoxic impurities including methyl methanesulfonate (MMS), ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) and isopropyl methanesulfonate (IMS) in methanesulfonic acid. An Agilent HP-1MS capillary column (30 m × 0.32 m, 1 μm) was used for separating the analytes by programmed heating with the inlet temperature of 220 °C. Mass spectrometry was operated in positive ion mode, and selective ion monitors were set at m/z 80 for MMS, m/z 79 for EMS, m/z 123 for IMS and m/z 56 for internal standard butyl methanesulfonate (BMS). Results showed that the baseline separation of MMS, EMS and IMS was achieved, and the blank extraction solution had no interference; good linearity was achieved in the range of 37-1 480 ng/mL for three alkyl methanesulfonates; The mean recoveries of MMS, EMS, IMS were 104.99%, 107.26%,108.85%, respectively, with RSD ≤ 4.54%. The established method has the characteristics of specific, sensitive, accurate, stable and good versatility, and has been used for the detection and control of alkyl methanesulfonate impurities in methanesulfonic acid from a variety of manufacturers.

Objective: To analyze the urinary iodine status of urban and rural residents in some areas of Gansu Province and its related influencing factors, and to provide certain references for scientific iodine intake of urban and rural residents in Gansu Province. Methods: Subjects in Gansu Province with normal thyroid function were recruited in the investigation of thyroid diseases and iodine nutritional status, conducted a questionnaire survey and measured height, weight, waist circumference, collected 1 urine sample, and tested their urinary iodine levels. The urinary iodine levels of different groups were compared based on different gender, region, age, body weight, the waist, and salt intaking. The affecting factors of urinary iodine levels were analyzed by multiple linear regression models. Results: Totally 1 964 subjects were recruited, including 1 099 males, and 865 females. The age was (41.23 ± 14.75) years old. The median urinary iodine of the selected group was 225.60 (158.80, 311.58) μg/L. The urinary iodine level of rural residents was significantly higher than that of urban residents [μg/L: 249.80 (180.58, 336.88) vs 206.25 (148.03, 280.33), Z=-8.015, P < 0.05], and there was no significant difference between the urinary iodine levels of male and female [μg/L: 222.40 (161.60, 298.90) vs 230.60 (158.00, 326.40), P > 0.05]. The composition ratio of < 100 μg/L group in rural areas was lower than that in urban areas (5.14% vs 8.27%, χ²= 7.45, P < 0.05), and the composition ratio of ≥300 μg/L group was higher than that in urban areas (34.93% vs 21.51%, χ²= 43.87, P < 0.05). The composition ratio of ≥300 μg/L group in male was lower than that in female (24.57% vs 31.21%, χ²= 10.73, P < 0.05). The multiple linear regression analysis showed that lived in rural areas, age, moderate and severe salt intaking, student, and weight were independently correlated with urinary iodine levels (β= 0.074, -0.001, 0.059, 0.034, 0.096, -0.003, P < 0.05). And the urinary iodine levels were decreased with age and weight increased (P < 0.05). Conclusions At present, the iodine nutrition level of urban and rural residents in some areas of Gansu Province is generally over the adequate level. The urinary iodine level of rural residents is higher than that of urban residents. In the future, we should pay attention to the impact of different living areas, salt intaking and body weight on urinary iodine levels to prevent thyroid diseases.

Objective: To analyze the genotypes, amino acid vatiations and molecular epidemiological characteristics of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in pediatric patients in Gansu province for the future research. Methods: A total of 4 556 respiratory tract specimens were colleted from pediatric patients under 10 years of age in five cities in Gansu from 2012 to 2017. These specimens were tested for RSV and its subtypes.The coding region of the RSV G gene was amplified using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and sequenced for RSV positive specimens. Sequences were edited using DNA Star software. Sequence alignment and phylogenetic trees were built by MEGA 6.0 software. Results: Out of 4 556 specimens, 1 135 (24.91%) were positive for RSV, totally 216 G protein sequences were obtained. RSV A isolates were clustered into three genotypes: NA1、NA3 and ON1. The nucleotides and amino-acid homology was 84.9%-100% and 77.3%-100%, respectively. The nucleotides and amino-acid homology between this study and prototype long strain was 81.2%-83.3% and 74.1%-88.0%. RSV B isolates were clustered into only BA9 one genotypes. The nucleotides and amino-acid homology was 97.7%-100% and 95.8%-100%, respectively. The nucleotides and amino-acid homology between this study and prototype CH18537 strain was 84.9%-85.7% and 77.9%-80.1%. Conclusions The genetic characteristics and the amino-acid changes were analyzed systematically using data of RSV G gene collected from 2012 to 2017 in Gansu province in this study. These data were used for analyses of the etiology, control and prevention of RSV infection.