Objective:To analyze retinal vascular parameters and distribution characteristics in Chinese population via the fully automated quantitative measurement of retinal vascular morphological parameters based on artificial intelligence technology.Methods:A cross-sectional study was performed.A total of 1 842 patients without fundus diseases who visited Beijing Tongren Hospital from January 2011 to December 2021 were included.Standardized questionnaires, blood draws and ophthalmologic examinations of enrolled subjects were conducted.Color fundus photographs centered on the optic disk of one eye of patients were collected, and a deep learning-based semantic segmentation network ResNet101-Unet was used to construct a vascular segmentation model for fully automated quantitative measurement of retinal vascular parameters.The main measurement indexes included retinal vascular branching angle, vascular fractal dimension, average vascular caliber, and average vascular tortuosity.To compare different retinal parameters between sexes, the correlation between the above parameters and ocular factors such as best corrected visual acuity, intraocular pressure, and axial length, as well as systemic factors such as sex, age, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular disease was analyzed.This study adhered to the Declaration of Helsinki.The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University (No.20001220). Written informed consent was obtained from each subject.Results:The model established in this study achieved an accuracy over 0.95 for both vascular and optic disk segmentation.The vascular branching angle, vascular fractal dimension, average vascular caliber, and average vascular tortuosity were (51.023±11.623)°, 1.573(1.542, 1.592), 64.124(60.814, 69.053)μm, (0.001 062±0.000 165)°, respectively.Compared with females, males had larger vascular branching angle, smaller average vascular caliber and smaller vascular tortuosity, and the differences were statistically significant (all at P<0.05). The average vascular caliber increased by 1.142 μm in people with cardiovascular disease compared to people without cardiovascular disease ( B=1.142, P=0.029, 95% CI: 0.116-2.167). The average vascular tortuosity was positively correlated with hypertension ( B=3.053×10 -5, P=0.002, 95% CI: 1.167×10 -5-4.934×10 -5) and alcohol consumption ( B=1.036×10 -5, P=0.014, 95% CI: 0.211×10 -5-1.860×10 -5) and negatively correlated with hyperlipidemia ( B=-2.422×10 -5, P=0.015, 95% CI: -4.382×10 -5-0.462×10 -5). For each 1-mm increase in axial length, there was a decrease of 0.004 in vessel fractal dimension ( B=-0.004, P<0.001, 95% CI: -0.006--0.002), a decrease of 0.266 μm in the average vessel caliber ( B=-0.266, P=0.037, 95% CI: -0.516--0.016), and a decrease of -2.45×10 -5° in the average vessel tortuosity ( B=-2.45×10 -5, P<0.001, 95% CI: -0.313×10 -5--0.177×10 -5). For each 1.0 increase in BCVA, there was an increase of 3.992° in the vascular branch angle ( B=3.992, P=0.004, 95% CI: 1.283-6.702), an increase of 0.090 in vascular fractal dimension ( B=0.090, P<0.001, 95% CI: 0.078-0.102) and a decrease of 14.813 μm in the average vascular diameter ( B=-14.813, P<0.001, 95% CI: -16.474--13.153). Conclusions:A model for retinal vascular segmentation is successfully constructed.Retinal vessel parameters are associated with sex, age, systemic diseases, and ocular factors.

Alzheimer disease(AD),commonly known as senile dementia,is the most common type of dementia,resulting in progressive impairment of cognitive function,and is often accompanied by a variety of psychiatric symptoms,such as agitation.Agitated symptoms in AD patients often cause an increasing burden on caregivers,and current psychiatric medications may exacerbate adverse effects such as cognitive impairment and motor retardation in patients.Therefore,non-drug intervention is a very important adjuvant treatment option.This article reviews the clinical manifestations,possible mechanisms,drug therapy and non-drug intervention measures of agitation in order to provide reference for more effective treatment of AD.

OBJECTIVE To compare the cost-utility of eight programmed death 1(PD-1)/programmed cell death-ligand 1(PD-L1) inhibitor combination regimens for first-line treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC) from the perspective of Chinese healthcare system. METHODS Relevant data were derived from a published network meta-analysis and randomized controlled trails, a three-state Markov model was established to analyze the cost-utility of eight immunotherapy combinations. The robustness of results were validated through sensitivity analyses and a series of scenario analyses was also conducted. RESULTS The incremental cost-utility ratio(ICUR) of the sintilizumab plus chemotherapy group and the tislelizumab plus chemotherapy group were ￥125143.88/quality adjusted life year(QALY) and ￥189609.64/QALY, respectively, which were less than the willingness-to-pay(WTP) threshold of ￥257094/QALY, and all the ICURs of other PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor combination regimens exceeded the WTP threshold and were not economical. Scenario analyses found that even if the medical insurance reimbursement ratio reached 80%, the different combinations of pembrolizumab, nivolumab and atezolizumab were not economical. CONCLUSION Compared with other PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor combination regimens, sintilizumab plus chemotherapy and tislelizumab plus chemotherapy have cost-utility advantages in the first-line treatment of advanced NSCLC, which can provide a certain reference for selecting a reasonable treatment plan for NSCLC patients.

Abstract: Objective To explore the risk factors for macrolide unresponsive mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MUMPP) in children and to develop a model for predicting the risk of MUMPP. Methods Children with mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia admitted to the Pediatric Department of Leshan People's Hospital who met the inclusion criteria from March 1, 2023, to December 1, 2023, were retrospectively selected and divided into the responsive group and unresponsive group according to their reactions to macrolides. General patient data, laboratory tests, and imaging findings were collected and compared. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the risk factors of the Macrolide unresponsive mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia, and R language (R4.2.3) to establish the nomogram model. The goodness of fit, discriminative ability, calibration, and clinical utility of the model were assessed using the Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness of fit test, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, calibration curve analysis, and decision curve analysis, respectively. Results A total of 224 patients were included in the analysis of children. Among them, 156 (70%) were randomly selected as the training set, and the remaining 68 cases (30%) were used as the validation set. Logistic regression analysis revealed that pleural effusion (OR=6.986, 95%CI 1.362-35.847), highest temperature before admission (OR=3.095, 95%CI 1.487-6.439), neutrophil count (OR=1.294, 95%CI:1.103-1.519), C-reactive protein (OR=1.030, 95%CI 1.002-1.058), and procalcitonin (OR=2.899, 95%CI:1.353-6.214) were independent risk factors for MUMPP in children (all P<0.05). A nomogram was established using R software. The Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness of fit tests for the training set and the validation set were χ2=4.018 and χ2=4.657 (all P>0.05), indicating a good fit of the model. The AUC values for the training set and validation were 0.825 (95%CI: 0.755-0.894) and 0.828 (95%CI 0.729-0.928), respectively, suggesting good discriminative ability of the model. Calibration curve analysis suggested that the model had good predictive performance, while decision curve analysis indicated a high clinical application value of the predictive model. Conclusions Pleural effusion, highest body temperature before admission, neutrophil count, C-reactive protein, and procalcitonin are independent risk factors for MUMPP in children. The prediction model constructed based on the above variables has high predictive efficacy and clinical application value.

Conventional transcatheter aortic valve replacement is normally recommended with transthoracic echocardiography, and contrast agent mediated fluoroscopy under anesthesia to guide a better implantation of the transcatheter valve. However, iodine-containing contrast agent possibly damages the patient’s kidney, and even induces the acute kidney injury. We reported a 75-year-old patient diagnosed with severe aortic valve stenosis, moderate regurgitation, and chronic renal failure. We performed the aortic valve replacement under the guidance of fluoroscopy and transesophageal ultrasound without contrast agent. Seven days after surgery, the patient recovered well and discharged with alleviated aortic stenosis and fixed transcatheter aortic valve.

In recent years, the research on boron-containing drugs, especially boric acid drugs, has been increasing gradually.Boron-containing drugs, which have been a new area of research for pharmaceutical chemists in the development of new drugs, play an increasingly important anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and anti-tumor role.At present, five boron-containing drugs have been approved, many are under clinical trials, and more are under investigation around the world, which has greatly expanded the application of boron in the research of new drugs.This paper introduces the characteristics of boron, and reviews the indications of representative boron-containing drugs in various research stages, their binding mechanisms with targets, and their progress after entering clinical trials, aiming to provide reference for further research on boron-containing drugs.

Objective:To investigate the long-term clinical effect of deep brain stimulation (DBS) on patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) at Hoehn-Yahr stage 2.5-5 and the differences of clinical effect among patients at different Hoehn-Yahr stages.Methods:A total of 69 PD patients (7 at Hoehn-Yahr stage 2.5, 27 at stage 3, 31 at stage 4, and 4 at stage 5) accepted DBS in Department of Functional Neurosurgery, Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from May 2014 to December 2016 were selected for long-term follow-up observation at 60 months after DBS. Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) was evaluated in the "off" phase of the patients before DBS and the "off" phases of the drugs under DBS start-up and continuous treatment at 6, 12, 24, 36, 48 and 60 months after DBS, respectively; Parkinson's Quality of Life Questionnaire (PDQ-39) and levodopa equivalent dose (LED) data were collected before and 6, 12, 24, 36, 48 and 60 months after DBS. DBS parameters of the patients were collected at 12 months after DBS; the total stimulation power, single pulse average energy and large single pulse energy were calculated. The differences in UPDRS-III scores, PDQ-39 scores and LEDD in these patients before DBS and at different time points after DBS were compared; the differences in UPDRS-III and PDQ-39 scores at different time points after DBS and postoperative DBS parameters at 12 months after DBS in patients at different Hoehn-Yahr stages were compared.Results:Compared with those before DBS, the UPDRS-III scores, PDQ-39 scores and LED were significantly reduced at 6, 12, 24, 36, 48 and 60 months after DBS ( P<0.05). Significant differences in UPDRS-III scores were noted between patients at Hoehn-Yahr stage 5 and Hoehn-Yahr stage 2.5 and stage 3 at 12 and 24 months after DBS ( P<0.05); however, no significant differences in UPDRS-III scores were noted between patients at Hoehn-Yahr stage 5 and Hoehn-Yahr stage 4 at same time points ( P>0.05); and no significant differences in UPDRS-III scores were noted between patients at Hoehn-Yahr stage 5 and patients at Hoehn-Yahr stage 2.5, stage 3, and stage 4 at other time points ( P>0.05). No significant differences in PDQ-39 scores were noted between patients at different Hoehn-Yahr stages at 6, 12, 24, 36, 48, and 60 months after DBS ( P>0.05). No significant difference in total stimulation power, single pulse average energy or large single pulse energy was noted among patients at different Hoehn-Yahr stages at 12 months after DBS ( P>0.05). Conclusion:DBS is long-term effective in improving motor function and quality of life in PD patients at Hoehn-Yahr stage 2.5-5, and patients at Hoehn-Yahr stage 5 do not need higher DBS parameters to obtain similar clinical improved effects as patients at Hoehn-Yahr stage 2.5-4.

BACKGROUND: Intensive phototherapy (IPT) and exchange transfusion (ET) are the main treatments for extreme hyperbilirubinemia. However, there is no reliable evidence on determining the thresholds for these treatments. This multicenter study compared the effectiveness and complications of IPT and ET in the treatment of extreme hyperbilirubinemia. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study was conducted in seven centers from January 2015 to January 2018. Patients with extreme hyperbilirubinemia that met the criteria of ET were included. Patients were divided into three subgroups (low-, medium-, and high- risk) according to gestational week and risk factors. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed to balance the data before treatment. Study outcomes included the development of bilirubin encephalopathy, duration of hospitalization, expenses, and complications. Mortality, auditory complications, seizures, enamel dysplasia, ocular motility disorders, athetosis, motor, and language development were evaluated during follow-up at age of 3 years. RESULTS: A total of 1164 patients were included in this study. After PSM, 296 patients in the IPT only group and 296 patients in the IPT plus ET group were further divided into the low-, medium-, and high-risk subgroups with 188, 364, and 40 matched patients, respectively. No significant differences were found between the IPT only and IPT plus ET groups in terms of morbidity, complications, and sequelae. Hospitalization duration and expenses were lower in the low- and medium-risk subgroups in the IPT only group. CONCLUSIONS In this study, our results suggest that IPT is a safe and effective treatment for extreme hyperbilirubinemia. The indication of ET for patients with hyperbilirubinemia could be stricter. However, it is necessary to have a contingency plan for emergency ET as soon as IPT is commenced especially for infants with risk factors. If IPT can be guaranteed and proved to be therapeutic, ET should be avoided as much as possible.
Child, Preschool ; Exchange Transfusion, Whole Blood/adverse effects* ; Humans ; Hyperbilirubinemia, Neonatal/therapy* ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Kernicterus/therapy* ; Phototherapy/methods* ; Retrospective Studies

The massive accumulation of β-amyloid （Aβ） in the brain is believed to be the first pathological mechanism of Alzheimer's disease （AD）， and the accumulation is mainly resulted from the overproduction and dysfunction in the clearance. Extensive and in-depth research has been carried out on AD. In addition to the drugs which are commonly used in clinical settings to improve cognitive function， Aβ monoclonal antibody aducanumab （Aduhelm） has been successfully marketed in the US， which may delay the progress of AD. Thus， it is a potential method for the treatment of AD to target Aβ， but it is expensive， with many adverse reactions and contraindications， which hinders the clinical promotion. Traditional Chinese medicine， featuring multiple components， multiple targets， multiple pathways， and high safety， can regulate the level of Aβ deposition in the brain， alleviate neurotoxicity， and prevent and treat AD by inhibiting the production and aggregation of Aβ and promoting the clearance in the brain. Berberine， gallic acid， osthole， scutellaria barbata flavonoids， Huannao Yicong decoction and Ditantang can promote α-secretase and inhibit the activity and expression of β- and γ-secretase， thus reducing production of Aβ. Baicalein， aloe-emodin， gallic acid， and curcumin can suppress the aggregation of Aβ， promote its depolymerization， and reduce the toxic effect of Aβ on nerve cells by interacting with the hydrophobic structure of Aβ and the H bond， salt bridge， and β-sheet that mediate the aggregation of Aβ. Curcumin and resveratrol can promote the expression of triggering receptor 2 in bone marrow cells of microglia and the migration and phagocytosis of Aβ in microglia. Bilobalide， Kaixinsan and curcumin can up-regulate the expression of encephalin-degrading enzyme and insulin degrading enzyme to promote Aβ degradation， and geniposide， dihydrotanshinone， dihydroartemisinin， and curcumin can degrade Aβ in cells by activating normal autophagy or inhibiting abnormal autophagy. Cycloastragenol， Danggui Shaoyaosan， Yizhi Fangdai formula and Linggui Zhugan decoction can promote the outflow of Aβ and inhibit the inflow of Aβ by improving the integrity and permeability of the blood-brain barrier （BBB）. Yizhi Fangdai formula and Xueshuantong can promote the polarization of aquaporin 4（AQP4）， allow Aβ to be cleared through the lymphatic system， and reduce the aggregation of Aβ in the brain， thereby relieving or preventing nerve cell damage and improving cognitive function. The above summary aims to provide more sufficient evidence and ideas for the clinical treatment of AD with traditional Chinese medicine.

Objective:To study the effect of heating skin disinfectant during peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) in preterm infants.Methods:Premature infants were retrospectively analyzed who received PICC catheterization during hospitalization in the Department of Neonatology of the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University from April 2020 to March 2021. They were divided into the control and heating groups according to different disinfection methods in two different periods. The skin of premature infants in the heating group was disinfected with disinfectant at 37℃, and the control group was disinfected with room temperature disinfectant. The rate of successful primary catheterization, operation duration, and catheter-associated infection were compared between the two groups.Results:The rate of successful primary catheterization in the heating group was higher than that of the control group [80.2% (65/81) vs. 66.7% (56/84)], and the operation time was shorter than that of the control group [(45.0±9.0) min vs. (48.4±11.9) min] ( P<0.05). There was no statistical difference in catheter keeping time, unplanned extubation rate, the rate of positive catheter tip cultures, and the blood cultures. Conclusions:During PICC puncture in premature infants, heating skin disinfectant can increase the success rate of one-time PICC catheterization, reduce the operation duration, and not increase the risk of catheter-associated infection.