ObjectiveThis paper aims to use the digital muscle function assessment system Myoton PRO to assess the correlation between muscle tension，clinical characteristics， and traditional Chinese medicine（TCM） syndromes in patients with hepatolenticular degeneration ［also known as Wilson disease（WD）］. MethodsA total of 104 patients with WD accompanied by abnormal muscle tension（increased or decreased，hereinafter the same） who were hospitalized in the Brain Disease Centre of the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine from April 2021 to November 2023 were selected，all of whom were subjected to TCM syndrome diagnosis and Myoton PRO for the measurement of F value of muscle tension，Goldstein， and UWDRS-N scales. The age of onset of the disease and disease duration were analyzed，and the differences and correlations of the above indexes in different TCM syndromes of WD were analyzed ResultsAmong the 104 patients with WD ，the phlegm and stasis syndrome was the most common（60 patients），followed by the damp-heat syndrome（33 patients），and the least common was the liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome（11 patients）. The F value of the phlegm and stasis syndrome group was higher than that of the liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome group and the damp-heat syndrome group（P<0.01）. The F value of the damp-heat syndrome group was higher than that of the liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome group（P<0.05），and the F value of the lower limbs of each group was higher than that of the upper limbs（P<0.01）. Goldstein and UWDRS-N scores of the patients in the phlegm and stasis syndrome group were higher than those in the damp-heat syndrome group and the liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome group（P<0.05）. There was no significant difference between the Goldstein and UWDRS-N scores of patients in the liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome group and the damp-heat syndrome group. Correlation analysis revealed that the age of onset and duration of the disease were positively correlated with the F values of the lower limbs（r=0.20，P<0.05，r=0.38，P<0.01）and had no significant correlation with those of the upper limbs. The F value levels of muscle tension of all limbs in the three groups of patients were positively correlated with the Goldstein and UWDRS-N scores（muscle tension of the upper limbs in the phlegm and stasis syndrome group，r=0.36，P<0.01，r=0.42，P<0.01. muscle tension of the lower limbs in the phlegm and stasis syndrome group，r=0.70，P<0.01，r=0.60，P<0.01. muscle tension of the upper limbs in the damp-heat syndrome group，r=0.64，P<0.01，r=0.53，P<0.01. muscle tension of the lower limbs in the damp-heat syndrome group，r=0.59，P<0.01，r=0.70，P<0.01. muscle tension of the upper limbs in the liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome group，r=0.70，P<0.01，r=0.74，P<0.01. muscle tension of the lower limbs in the liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome group，r=0.85，P<0.01，r=0.62，P<0.01）. Conlusion： The digital muscle function assessment system Myoton PRO can objectively evaluate the muscle tension level of patients with WD accompanied by abnormal muscle tension. This level has significant differences among different TCM syndromes and can evaluate the patient's condition to some extent.

Schizophrenia (SZ) stands as a severe psychiatric disorder. This study applied diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) data in conjunction with graph neural networks to distinguish SZ patients from normal controls (NCs) and showcases the superior performance of a graph neural network integrating combined fractional anisotropy and fiber number brain network features, achieving an accuracy of 73.79% in distinguishing SZ patients from NCs. Beyond mere discrimination, our study delved deeper into the advantages of utilizing white matter brain network features for identifying SZ patients through interpretable model analysis and gene expression analysis. These analyses uncovered intricate interrelationships between brain imaging markers and genetic biomarkers, providing novel insights into the neuropathological basis of SZ. In summary, our findings underscore the potential of graph neural networks applied to multimodal DTI data for enhancing SZ detection through an integrated analysis of neuroimaging and genetic features.
Humans ; Schizophrenia/pathology* ; Diffusion Tensor Imaging/methods* ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Brain/metabolism* ; Young Adult ; Middle Aged ; White Matter/pathology* ; Gene Expression ; Nerve Net/diagnostic imaging* ; Graph Neural Networks

ObjectiveTo investigate the incidence rate of sarcopenia in patients with Wilson’s disease （WD）-related liver cirrhosis， as well as the risk factors for sarcopenia and their impact on clinical outcomes. MethodsA total of 140 patients with WD-related liver cirrhosis who were treated in The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine from January 2019 to June 2020， and according to the third lumbar skeletal muscle mass index （L3 SMI）， the patients were divided into sarcopenia group and non-sarcopenia group. Nutritional risk screening， anthropometric measurements， and blood biochemical tests were performed for the patients to identify the influencing factors for sarcopenia. The patients were followed up for 36 — 48 months， and survival status and complications were compared between the two groups. The independent-samples t test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups， and the chi-square test and the Mann-Whitney U rank sum test were used for comparison of categorical data between two groups. A binary Logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the influencing factors for sarcopenia， and univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to investigate the risk factors for the prognosis of patients with WD-related liver cirrhosis. The Kaplan-Meier survival curve was plotted， and the Log-rank test was used for comparison between groups. ResultsAmong the 140 patients with WD-related liver cirrhosis， 53 （37.9%） developed sarcopenia， with significantly lower body mass index （BMI） and L3 SMI than the patients without sarcopenia （t=10.550 and 3.982， both P<0.001）. The multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that age （odds ratio ［OR］=2.243， 95% confidence interval ［CI］： 1.196 — 4.208， P=0.012）， sex （OR=0.450， 95%CI： 0.232 — 0.872， P=0.018）， BMI （OR=0.126， 95%CI： 0.089 — 0.294， P<0.001）， and hepatic encephalopathy （OR=8.367， 95%CI： 2.423 — 28.897， P<0.001） were the main influencing factors for sarcopenia in patients with WD-related liver cirrhosis. Compared with the non-sarcopenia group， the sarcopenia group had significantly higher mortality rate （χ²=6.158， P=0.019） and significantly higher incidence rates of infection （χ²=8.008， P=0.040）， recurrent abdominal/pleural efflux （χ²=17.742， P<0.001）， and hepatic encephalopathy （χ²=4.338， P=0.039）. The multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that sarcopenia （hazard ratio ［HR］=4.685， P=0.002） and hepatic encephalopathy （HR=19.156， P<0.001） were independent risk factors for death in patients with WD-related liver cirrhosis. The Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis showed a significant reduction in survival rate in the patients with sarcopenia （P=0.003）. ConclusionSarcopenia is one of the manifestations of malnutrition in patients with WD-related liver cirrhosis， which increases the risk of mortality and other complications and has an adverse effect on prognosis. There is an increased risk of sarcopenia in male patients or patients with hepatic encephalopathy， a lower level of BMI or an older age.

OBJECTIVE To construct a risk prediction model for bloodstream infection （BSI） induced by carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae （CRKP）. METHODS Retrospective analysis was conducted for clinical data from 253 patients with BSI induced by K. pneumoniae in the First Hospital of Qinhuangdao from January 2019 to June 2022. Patients admitted from January 2019 to December 2021 were selected as the model group （n＝223）， and patients admitted from January 2022 to June 2022 were selected as the validation group （n＝30）. The model group was divided into the CRKP subgroup （n＝56） and the carbapenem- sensitive K. pneumoniae （CSKP） subgroup （n＝167） based on whether CRKP was detected or not. The univariate and multivariate Logistic analyses were performed on basic information such as gender， age and comorbid underlying diseases in two subgroups of patients； independent risk factors were screened for CRKP-induced BSI， and a risk prediction model was constructed. The established model was verified with patients in the validation group as the target. RESULTS Admissioning to intensive care unit （ICU）， use of immunosuppressants， empirical use of carbapenems and empirical use of antibiotics against Gram-positive coccus were independent risk factors of CRKP-induced BSI （ORs were 3.749， 3.074， 2.909， 9.419， 95%CIs were 1.639-8.572， 1.292- 7.312， 1.180-7.717， 2.877-30.840， P＜0.05）. Based on this， a risk prediction model was established with a P value of 0.365. The AUC of the receiver operating characteristic （ROC） curve of the model was 0.848 [95%CI （0.779， 0.916）， P＜0.001]， and the critical score was 6.5. In the validation group， the overall accuracy of the prediction under the model was 86.67%， and the AUC of ROC curve was 0.926 [95%CI （0.809， 1.000]， P＜0.001]. CONCLUSIONS Admission to ICU， use of immunosuppressants， empirical use of carbapenems and empirical use of antibiotics against Gram-positive coccus are independent risk factors of CRKP- induced BSI. The CRKP-induced BSI risk prediction model based on the above factors has good prediction accuracy.

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine turbid phlegm obstructing lung decoction on patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(AECOPD)and its influence on laboratory indexes.Methods A total of 191 patients with AECOPD who were hospitalized in the First People's Hospital of Changde from January 2021 to December 2022 were selected.Patients were divided into observation group(96 cases)and control group(95 cases)according to their treatment intention.The control group received conventional treatment of western medicine,and the observation group received oral administration of traditional Chinese medicine turbid phlegm obstructing lung decoction for one week.TCM symptom scores,COPD assessment test(CAT),lung function,laboratory indicators and efficacy were compared between two groups.Results The total effective rate of observation group was significantly higher than that of control group(χ2=4.573,P=0.030).After treatment,TCM symptom score,CAT score,hypersensitive C-reaction protein(hsCRP)and interleukin-6(IL-6)of patients in both groups were significantly lower than before treatment,percentage of forced vital capacity to predicted value(FVC%)and percentage of forced expiratory volume in one second to predicted value(FEV1%)were significantly higher than before treatment(P<0.05),arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide(PaCO2)of observation group was lower than before treatment,and arterial partial pressure of oxygen(PaO2)was higher than before treatment(P<0.05).The TCM symptom score,CAT score,hsCRP and IL-6 of observation group were significantly lower than those of control group,while FVC%,FEV1%and PaO2 were significantly higher than those of control group(P<0.05).Conclusion On the basis of western medicine treatment,traditional Chinese medicine turbid phlegm obstructing lung decoction can more effectively improve clinical symptoms of AECOPD patients,relieve the inflammation in the body,contribute to the recovery of lung function and improve the quality of life of patients.

Objective To study the impact of a Western diet-type feed on biological indicators and histopathology in APOE-/-mice.Methods Forty-eight female and 48 male APOE--mice,and 48 female and 48 male C57BL/6J mice were divided into eight breeding groups:APOE-/-breeding feed group,APOE-/-Western dietary feed group,C57BL/6J breeding feed group,and C57BL/6J Western dietary feed group(24 male and 24 female mice per group).Mice were fed the respective diets from 3 weeks until the end of the experiment at 20 weeks.After the experiment,serum was collected for measurement of biochemical indicators.Aortas were removed for oil red O staining and gross examination and the aorta root was paraffin sectioned and stained with hematoxylin and eosin.Results A Western diet did not significantly increase body weight in APOE-/-mice,but did significantly improve the blood lipid index and total cholesterol,low-density lipoprotein,and high-density lipoprotein levels,and promoted the formation of atherosclerotic plaques.Male mice were suitable for modeling gross aortic plaques while female mice were suitable for modeling aortic arch root plaques.Conclusions A Western diet can promote atherosclerosis in APOE-/-mice,increase the aortic plaque area ratio,shorten modeling time,and improve modeling uniformity.

Objective:To compare the clinical effect of transaxillary non-inflatable endoscopic surgery and traditional open thyroid surgery in the treatment of PTC. Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed on 342 patients with PTC treated in the Otorhinolaryngology Department of Qilu Hospital of Shandong University from December 2020 to December 2022. There were 73 males and 269 females, aged 16-72 years, who underwent unilateral non-inflatable transaxillary endoscopic thyroid surgery（endoscopic group） and unilateral traditional open thyroid surgery（open group）. There were 108 patients in the endoscopic group and 234 in the open group. Results:The endoscopic group was lower in age（37.1±9.4 vs 43.5±11.2） years and BMI（23.4±3.4 vs 25.7±3.8 ）kg/m² than that in the open group, and the difference was statistically significant（t was 5.53, 5.67 respectively, P<0.01）. There was no significant difference in hospitalization days between the two groups（P>0.05）. The logarithmic curve of the operation time showed a smooth downward trend, and the overall operation time of the endoscopic group was relatively consistent. There was no significant difference in intraoperative blood loss between the endoscopic group（13.3±3.2） mL and the open group（14.7±6.3） mL（P>0.05）, but the operation time（130.1±37.9） min was longer than that in the open group（57.4±13.7） min, and the difference was statistically significant（t=19.40, P<0.01）. There was no significant difference in complications such as temporary recurrent laryngeal nerve injury within 3 days after operation between the two groups（P>0.05）. The aesthetic satisfaction score of the surgical incision and the incision concealment effect score in the endoscopic group were higher than those in the open group, and the difference was statistically significant（P<0.05）. Conclusion:Compared with traditional open thyroidectomy, transaxillary non-inflatable endoscopic thyroidectomy has more advantages in the concealment and aesthetics of postoperative incision. Although the former has longer operation time and more drainage, it is still a safe and feasible surgical method with good postoperative clinical effect.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Thyroid Neoplasms/surgery* ; Retrospective Studies ; Neck ; Thyroidectomy/methods* ; Endoscopy/methods*

Objective:To explore the risk factors of mortality in patients with Klebsiella pneumoniae bloodstream infection, and to construct a predictive model. Methods:The clinical data of 234 patients with Klebsiella pneumoniae bloodstream infection admitted in the First Hospital of Qinhuangdao from January 2020 to December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed, including 202 cases admitted during January 2020 to June 2022 (model set), and 32 cases admitted during July to December 2022 (validation set). There were 64 cases died (fatal group) and 138 cases survived (survival group) within 28 d after admission in model set. Multivariate Logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors of death in patients with Klebsiella pneumoniae bloodstream infection and a mortality prediction model was constructed. The constructed model was applied in validation set, and the consistency between predicted mortality and real mortality was analyzed. Results:Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that male sex ( OR=2.598, 95% CI 1.179-5.725, P=0.018), age≥65 years ( OR=4.420, 95% CI 2.029-9.627, P<0.001), admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) ( OR=10.299, 95% CI 4.752-22.321, P<0.001), and the empirical use of quinolones antibiotics ( OR=4.288, 95% CI 1.127-16.317, P=0.033) were independent risk factors for 28-day mortality in Klebsiella pneumoniae bloodstream infection patients. The regression equation for predicting the risk of death was -3.469+ male × 0.955+ age ≥ 65 years × 1.486+ admitted to ICU × 2.332+ empirical use of quinolone antibiotics × 1.456. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) for predicting death in the model set was 0.831, with sensitivity and specificity of 71.9% and 80.4%, respectively. The AUC for predicting death in the validation set was 0.881, with sensitivity and specificity of 91.7% and 75.0%, respectively. Conclusion:The constructed mortality prediction model in the study has good application value for the prognosis of patients with Klebsiella pneumoniae bloodstream infection.

Objective:To explore the clinical efficacy of thermal moxibustion combined with Duhuo Jisheng Decoction in the treatment of liver and kidney deficiency syndrome of knee osteoarthritis (KOA).Methods:From January 2020 to January 2021, 124 KOA patients with liver and kidney deficiency syndrome, who met the inclusion criteria, were divided into 2 groups according to the random number table method, with 62 in each group. The control group was treated with Duhuo Jisheng Decoction, and the observation group was treated with thermal moxibustion on the basis of the control group. Both groups were treated for 28 days. TCM symptom scores were performed before and after treatment, the Osteoarthritis Index of Western Ontario and McMaster University (WOMAC) was used to evaluate joint function. ELISA was used to detect serum insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2), transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α levels, and the clinical efficacy was evaluated.Results:The total effective rate was 91.9% (57/62) in the observation group and 77.4% (48/62) in the control group, and there was significant difference between two groups ( χ2=5.04, P=0.025). After treatment, the TCM symptom score and WOMAC score of the observation group were significantly lower than those of the control group ( t values were 11.33 and 12.23, respectively, all Ps<0.01). After treatment, the serum levels of IGF-1 [(15.63±2.03) ng/L vs. (12.78±1.57) ng/L, t=8.75], FGF-2 [(30.26±5.37) ng/L vs. (26.31±1.94) ng/L, t=5.45] and TGF-β1[(30.39±6.71)μg/L vs. (24.31±5.12) μg/L, t=5.67] in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group ( P<0.01), while the levels of IL-1β [(12.50±3.36) ng/L vs. (16.09±4.90) ng/L, t=4.76], IL-6 [(10.59±3.28) ng/L vs. (21.75 ± 4.09) ng/L, t=16.76] and TNF-α [(4.04±1.92) ng/L vs. (6.48±1.43) ng/L, t=8.03] in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group ( P<0.01). There was no adverse events from both groups during treatment. Conclusion:Thermal moxibustion combined with Duhuo Jisheng Ddecoction can alleviate the joint pain of KOA patients with liver and kidney deficiency syndrome, promote cartilage repair and improve the clinical curative effect.

Objective To design a notched flexible articulation applied to electric stapler and study its turning performance. Methods The notched flexible articulation was designed and modeled. The kinematics and statics models of the articulation were established for simulation calculations. The stress, deflection angle, top displacement and driving force of the articulation with 3 different turning structures were studied under equal and variable stiffness of symmetrical notches by using finite element simulation. An experimental platform for performance test of the turning structure was built to verify the simulation results and the model. Results The theoretical model of the turning structure in bending process was basically consistent with the experimental results. With the optimization of symmetrical notch stiffness, the maximum stress of the articulation with variable stiffness was reduced by 20.64% and 39.20%, respectively. The articulation with variable stiffness required the smallest tensile force during bending, which was 33.41% lower than that of the articulation with equal stiffness, and the tip displacement (30.8 mm) along the bending plane was the smallest. The maximum deflection angle for the articulation with 3 different turning structures all could reach 90°. Conclusions The kinematics and statics models of the articulation can be used for the calculation of its tensile force and position changes. The turning performance of the articulation with variable stiffness using symmetrical notch is better than that with equal stiffness. The notched flexible articulation meets the design requirements and the turning needs of electric stapler.