Objective To investigate the relationship between serum forkhead box F1(FOXF1)and Ape-lin-13 levels and carotid atherosclerosis(CAS)in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).Methods From January 2022 to March 2024,207 elderly T2DM patients admitted to the hospital(T2DM group)and 52 healthy elderly patients underwent physical examination(control group)were selected as the study objects.The elderly T2DM patients were divided into CAS group(128 cases)and non-CAS group(79 cases)according to the occurrence of CAS.Serum FOXF1 and Apelin-13 levels were detected by real-time flu-orescent quantitative PCR and enzyme-linked immunoadsorption assay.The influencing factors of CAS in eld-erly T2DM patients were determined by multivariate unconditional Logistic regression,and the predictive effi-cacy of serum FOXF1 and Apelin-13 levels was analyzed by receiver operating characteristic curve.Results The levels of FOXF1 and Apelin-13 in T2DM group were lower than those in control group(P＜0.05).The inci-dence of CAS in 207 elderly T2DM patients was 61.84％(128/207).The levels of serum FOXF1 and Apelin-13 in CAS group were lower than those in non-CAS group(P＜0.05).The independent risk factors of CAS in elderly T2DM patients were the duration of T2DM,glycosylated hemoglobin and low density lipoprotein cho-lesterol(P＜0.05),and the independent protective factors were FOXF1 and Apelin-13(P＜0.05).The com-bined prediction of serum FOXF1 and Apelin-13 levels for CAS in elderly T2DM patients was 0.882,which was larger than 0.782 and 0.791 predicted by serum FOXF1 and Apelin-13 levels alone(P＜0.05).Conclu-sion The decrease of serum FOXF1 and Apelin-13 levels in elderly T2DM patients is closely related to CAS,and the combined detection of serum FOXF1 and Apelin-13 levels has a high predictive effect on CAS in elder-ly T2DM patients.

Objective:To analyze the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of respiratory pathogens in China.Methods:This study was a cross-sectional study, which encompassed 19 core units of the clinical pathogen network and established a three-tiered clinical pathogen surveillance system. Thirty respiratory samples were collected every two weeks from various units from January to December 2024, and the clinical and pathogen diagnostic information were gathered. A total of 11 864 samples were tested using this system. The tier-1 clinical pathogen surveillance system covered influenza A virus (Flu-A), influenza B virus (Flu-B), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The tier-2 clinical pathogen surveillance system focused on 18 key respiratory pathogens. The tier-3 clinical pathogen surveillance system further clarified whether any emerging infectious diseases had occurred.Results:The tier-1 clinical pathogen surveillance system showed Flu-A predominated in December, Flu-B predominated in January, SARS-CoV-2 peaked in March and August, whereas RSV circulated sporadically throughout the year. Geographic trends were broadly consistent across the seven major regions, although Flu-A detection in December was notably higher in Northeast China (48.1%(111/231)) and East China (36.2%(148/409)), and RSV detection was concentrated in the Northwest and South China from January to March. Data from the tier-2 clinical pathogen surveillance system indicated that Streptococcus pneumoniae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, rhinovirus, and adenovirus were detected year-round, of these, Streptococcus pneumoniae and rhinovirus showed elevated positive detection rates from August to September, while adenovirus peaked in January. Legionella pneumophila was not detected throughout the year, and other pathogens fluctuated throughout the year without a consistent pattern. The predominant etiologic agents of pediatric pneumonia were Mycoplasma pneumoniae (35.0%(105/300)), rhinovirus (25.7%(77/300)), and adenovirus (17.3%(52/300)), whereas adult pneumonia was mainly caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae (10.5%(29/277)), Staphylococcus aureus (6.9%(19/277)), Mycoplasma pneumoniae (6.9%(19/277)), and Flu-A (6.1%(17/277)). The tier-3 clinical pathogen surveillance system did not identify any emerging respiratory pathogens. Conclusion:Respiratory pathogens in China in 2024 exhibit distinct temporal and spatial distribution patterns and vary among different populations.

Objective To evaluate the clinical utility of the f-wave to QRS complex amplitude ratio(f/R ratio)in intracardiac electrogram(IC-ECG)-guided positioning of peripherally inserted central catheter(PICC)tips in patients with atrial fibrillation(AF),providing evidence to enhance clinical practice.Methods This study employed a conve-nience sampling method to enroll eligible AF patients admitted to a tertiary hospital in Suzhou from July 2023 to July 2024.During PICC placement,IC-ECG was utilized to monitor f-wave and QRS complex amplitude variations.Following successful catheterization,the f/R ratio was measured,and chest X-ray was performed to confirm the catheter tip position.The accuracy of PICC tip positioning across different f/R ratio ranges was analyzed,and the incidence of arrhythmias was recorded.A receiver operating characteristic curve was constructed to assess the diag-nostic performance of the f/R ratio in PICC tip localization.Results A total of 68 AF patients were included,with f/R ratios ranging from 20.63％to 91.24％.PICC tip positioning accuracy varied significantly across different f/R ratio ranges(P=0.006).The area under the ROC curve(AUC)for f/R ratio in PICC tip positioning was 0.784(P=0.009),with a maximum Youden index of 0.567,an optimal diagnostic threshold of 40.00％,a sensitivity of 81.7％,a speci-ficity of 75.0％,a positive predictive value of 96.1％,and a negative predictive value of 35.3％.No arrhythmias other than AF occurred during the procedure.Conclusion The f/R ratio provides reliable and safe guidance for PICC tip positioning in AF patients.An f/R ratio ≥40％is associated with higher accuracy in identifying the optimal catheter tip position.

Objective:To summarize the clinical and imaging presentations of the pontine tegmental cap dysplasia (PTCD).Methods:The clinical, high resolution CT(HRCT) and MRI materials of 4 patients with PTCD between August 2007 to December 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. Among these, there were 2 males and 2 females, their ages ranged from 10 months to 16 years.Results:Of 4 PTCD patients, severe or profound severe hearing loss ( n=8 ears), developmental delay, hypotonia and severe facioplegia ( n=3 cases) were found. On HRCT, all of 4 cases were associated with temporal anomalies [including a narrow bony cochlear nerve canal ( n=8 ears), duplicated (each n=4 ears) or narrow ( n=1 ear) internal auditory canal, enlarged vestibular aqueduct ( n=2 ears), enlarged vestibules and dysplastic lateral semicircular canals ( n=3 ears), ossicular deformation( n=2 ears). The stenosis of the labyrinthine segments of the facial nerve canal ( n=3 ears) and facial nerve canal ectopia(n=6 ears)], atrial or ventricular septal defect (each n=1 case), thoracic or lumbar vertebral anomalies and ribs fusion ( n=3 cases). On the brain MRI, the variable flattening of the ventral pons and dysmorphism of the dorsal upper pons cap-like bulging and protruding in the fourth ventricle were shown in all cases, the vermian and cerebellar peduncles hypoplasia gave rise to a molar tooth appearance. The dysplastic ( n=3 ears), aplastic( n=5 ears) cochlear nerves and dysplastic facial nerves ( n=3 ears) were found. Conclusion:The PTCD patients usually present severe hearing loss, developmental delay, hypotonia, and facioplegia. The flattening of the ventral pons and the dorsal upper pons cap-like bulging usually with duplicated internal auditory canal and severe facial and auditory nerves dysplasia are its imaging features.

OBJECTIVE To construct a prevention and control index system suitable for stomatology outpatient de-partment of general hospital,so as to provide a theoretical basis for risk assessment of stomatology outpatient de-partment,and to provide an evidence-based basis for precise prevention and control.METHODS Based on the methods of literature research,literature quality evaluation and brainstorming,a draft index of the prevention and control of the general hospital's oral outpatient department was constructed,and the index system for the preven-tion and control in the stomatology outpatient department of a general hospital was finally established through re-search group discussion,content analysis and expert consultation.The three-level indicators in the index system were incorporated into the risk points of risk assessment,the failure mode and effects analysis were applied to con-duct the risk assessment,and the intervention measures and rectification cycles were formulated and implemented in clinical practice for the risk points with risk priority number(RPN)greater than 125.Based on the established index system and risk points with RPN＞125,the hospital infection prevention and control checklist for stoma-tology outpatient was developed and regularly checked in the clinic.After the rectification was completed,the risk points were evaluated again,and the RPN values were compared before and after the risk control.RESULTS The recovery rate of expert consultation questionnaire was 100.00％,and the average expert authority coefficient was 0.84.The consistency ratio(CR)for the first-level indicators was 0.0499,and the consistency ratio(CR)of the second-level indicators was 0.0000-0.0790,which was less than 0.1,and the consistency was acceptable.Final-ly,a hospital infection prevention and control index system was established,comprising 5 first-level indicators,7 second-level indicators and 23 third-level indicators.The improved key control risk points were evaluated again,and the RPN values before and after comparing the risk control were reduced and＜125,indicating that the im-provement measures were effective.CONCLUSION The evaluation system of prevention and control for the stoma-tology outpatient department of a general hospital established in this study is reliable,scientific and practical,and the improvement measures of risk assessment before and after the control of risk points are effective,which pro-vides evidence-based basis for risk assessment and precise prevention and control in the stomatology outpatient de-partment of general hospitals.

Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 （TREM2） is expressed in resident non-parenchymal cells （NPCs） and is involved in various pathological processes including liver inflammation and immunoregulation. In recent years， TREM2 has attracted attention in the field of acute and chronic liver diseases， and more and more studies have shown that TREM2 is a potential target for the treatment of acute and chronic liver diseases； however， there is a lack of systematic summary for the mechanism of action of TREM2 in acute and chronic liver diseases. Therefore， this article reviews the latest research advances in the regulatory role of TREM2 in acute and chronic liver diseases， in order to provide new ideas for the clinical prevention and treatment of acute and chronic liver diseases.

Objective:To summarize the clinical and imaging presentations of the pontine tegmental cap dysplasia (PTCD).Methods:The clinical, high resolution CT(HRCT) and MRI materials of 4 patients with PTCD between August 2007 to December 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. Among these, there were 2 males and 2 females, their ages ranged from 10 months to 16 years.Results:Of 4 PTCD patients, severe or profound severe hearing loss ( n=8 ears), developmental delay, hypotonia and severe facioplegia ( n=3 cases) were found. On HRCT, all of 4 cases were associated with temporal anomalies [including a narrow bony cochlear nerve canal ( n=8 ears), duplicated (each n=4 ears) or narrow ( n=1 ear) internal auditory canal, enlarged vestibular aqueduct ( n=2 ears), enlarged vestibules and dysplastic lateral semicircular canals ( n=3 ears), ossicular deformation( n=2 ears). The stenosis of the labyrinthine segments of the facial nerve canal ( n=3 ears) and facial nerve canal ectopia(n=6 ears)], atrial or ventricular septal defect (each n=1 case), thoracic or lumbar vertebral anomalies and ribs fusion ( n=3 cases). On the brain MRI, the variable flattening of the ventral pons and dysmorphism of the dorsal upper pons cap-like bulging and protruding in the fourth ventricle were shown in all cases, the vermian and cerebellar peduncles hypoplasia gave rise to a molar tooth appearance. The dysplastic ( n=3 ears), aplastic( n=5 ears) cochlear nerves and dysplastic facial nerves ( n=3 ears) were found. Conclusion:The PTCD patients usually present severe hearing loss, developmental delay, hypotonia, and facioplegia. The flattening of the ventral pons and the dorsal upper pons cap-like bulging usually with duplicated internal auditory canal and severe facial and auditory nerves dysplasia are its imaging features.

Objective To evaluate the clinical utility of the f-wave to QRS complex amplitude ratio(f/R ratio)in intracardiac electrogram(IC-ECG)-guided positioning of peripherally inserted central catheter(PICC)tips in patients with atrial fibrillation(AF),providing evidence to enhance clinical practice.Methods This study employed a conve-nience sampling method to enroll eligible AF patients admitted to a tertiary hospital in Suzhou from July 2023 to July 2024.During PICC placement,IC-ECG was utilized to monitor f-wave and QRS complex amplitude variations.Following successful catheterization,the f/R ratio was measured,and chest X-ray was performed to confirm the catheter tip position.The accuracy of PICC tip positioning across different f/R ratio ranges was analyzed,and the incidence of arrhythmias was recorded.A receiver operating characteristic curve was constructed to assess the diag-nostic performance of the f/R ratio in PICC tip localization.Results A total of 68 AF patients were included,with f/R ratios ranging from 20.63％to 91.24％.PICC tip positioning accuracy varied significantly across different f/R ratio ranges(P=0.006).The area under the ROC curve(AUC)for f/R ratio in PICC tip positioning was 0.784(P=0.009),with a maximum Youden index of 0.567,an optimal diagnostic threshold of 40.00％,a sensitivity of 81.7％,a speci-ficity of 75.0％,a positive predictive value of 96.1％,and a negative predictive value of 35.3％.No arrhythmias other than AF occurred during the procedure.Conclusion The f/R ratio provides reliable and safe guidance for PICC tip positioning in AF patients.An f/R ratio ≥40％is associated with higher accuracy in identifying the optimal catheter tip position.

Objective:To compare the effects of early orthodontic intervention and conventional sequential periodontal-orthodontic treatment to periodontal health in patients with stage Ⅳ periodontitis.Methods:A total of 30 patients with stage Ⅳ periodontitis, who underwent combined periodontal and orthodontic therapies at the Department of Periodontology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, from January 2018 to August 2024, were included. Patients who underwent early orthodontic intervention were initiated simultaneously or within one month after supragingival scaling and subgingival root planning ( n=15). While patients in control group accomplished supragingival scaling, subgingival root planning, and corresponding periodontal surgeries to achieve inflammation control before starting orthodontic treatment ( n=15). Periodontal parameters, including clinical attachment loss (CAL), probing depth (PD), and bleeding on probing (+) % [BOP (+) %], were measured at baseline, one year after orthodontic treatment, and at the end of combined periodontal-orthodontic therapy respectively. Improvements in periodontal parameters and differences in tooth loss between the two groups were compared. Results:After receiving combined periodontal-orthodontic treatment, the CAL of the early orthodontic intervention group significantly decreased from (4.39±0.90) mm before treatment to (2.41±0.35) mm at the end of treatment ( t=7.92, P<0.001). Similarly, the PD significantly reduced from (4.20±1.04) mm before treatment to (2.20±0.38) mm at the end of treatment ( t=7.01, P<0.001). The BOP(+)% also showed a significant improvement, decreasing from 89.29% (68.00%, 100.00%) before treatment to 13.04% (7.14%, 17.86%) at the end of treatment ( Z=-3.41, P<0.001). There were no statistically significant differences between the early orthodontic intervention group and control group in terms of baseline mean CAL, mean PD, and BOP(+)% ( t=1.30, P=0.205; t=1.28, P=0.212; Z=0.58, P=0.559). Furthermore, the improvements in CAL and PD between the two groups were not significantly different compared to baseline ( Z=-1.10, P=0.272; Z=-0.93, P=0.351). However, the number of missing teeth was significantly lower in the early orthodontic intervention group than in the control group (χ2=3.96, P=0.047). The duration of combined periodontal-orthodontic treatment in the early orthodontic intervention group was [33.13 (23.37, 36.20) months], which was significantly shorter than that in the control group [37.47 (32.33, 50.90) months] ( Z=2.07, P=0.037). Conclusions:Both early orthodontic intervention and conventional periodontal-orthodontic treatment significantly improved CAL, PD, and BOP(+)% in stage Ⅳ periodontitis patients. Early orthodontic intervention contributed to the preservation of natural teeth and shortened the treatment duration of stage Ⅳ periodontitis.

Objective:To digitally measure the three-dimensional (3D) size of primary tooth crowns and the dimensions of the dental arch in children with individual normal primary dentition, preliminarily obtaining baseline data on the 3D size of primary tooth crowns as well as the length and width of the dental arch, and their influence factors. This study aims to provide a data foundation for the design of reference models for primary dentition.Methods:From May to June 2021, 122 caries-free children aged 3.5-4.5 years with individual normal occlusion were selected from five kindergartens in Haidian District, Beijing. Impressions were taken and plaster models were cast. After preliminary screening, 67 eligible models were scanned to obtain digital dental models. Digital measurement software was used for landmark-based measurements. Parameters included 3D crown dimensions (mesiodistal diameter, buccolingual diameter, and occlusogingival height), dental arch dimensions (length and width at specific regions), and occlusal measurements (overjet and overbite at the primary central incisors, and Bolton index for anterior and full dentition). Gender differences in crown dimensions and bilateral symmetry of homologous teeth, as well as the correlations between arch dimensions and gender, height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) were analyzed.Results:The homonymous teeth of 67 children exhibited strong bilateral symmetry in all 3D dimensions ( P>0.05). Gender differences were observed in the buccolingual dimension for all deciduous molars except for the right mandibular first deciduous molar ( P<0.05). For the occlusogingival dimension, gender differences were found in the right maxillary first and second deciduous molars, left maxillary first deciduous molar, and left mandibular first and second deciduous molars ( P<0.05). For the mesiodistal dimension, only the left mandibular second deciduous molar and right mandibular deciduous canine showed gender differences ( P<0.05). All significant differences above indicated larger dimensions in boys compared to girls. In both maxillary and mandibular arches, the lengths and widths at various locations were significantly larger in boys than in girls ( P<0.05). Univariate correlation analysis revealed that body weight was positively correlated with the width of the terminal plane in both the maxilla and mandible and the total length of the mandibular dental arch, while BMI was positively correlated with the width of the maxillary terminal plane and the widths at all measured sites in the mandible ( P<0.05). Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that, after controlling for relevant variables, BMI was a significant positive predictor for the lengths and widths at various sites of the dental arch ( P<0.05), and height was a positive predictor for dental arch length ( P<0.05), as well as body weight was a positive predictor for the width in the molar region ( P<0.05). Overjet at the primary central incisors was 2.28 (1.57, 2.66) mm, and overbite was 1.13 (0.75, 1.92) mm. The anterior Bolton index was 0.79±0.03, and the overall Bolton index was 0.94±0.03. Conclusions:Primary tooth crowns of individual normal occlusion children demonstrate strong bilateral symmetry in homologous teeth. Most primary molars exhibit gender differences in buccolingual and occlusogingival dimensions, with larger values in boys. Arch dimensions (length and width) are consistently larger in boys.