Tick-borne encephalitis is a central nervous system disease caused by infections with tick-borne pathogens, which is characterized by severe clinical symptoms, multiple sequelae, and a high fatality rate. Currently, there is no cure for tick-borne encephalitis. Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is the most common pathogen of tick-borne encephalitis. Therefore, rapid and accurate detection of TBEV contributes to reducing the mortality of tick-borne encephalitis, improving patients' prognosis, and reducing the risk of TBEV transmission. The currently available serological tests for detection of TBEV infections mainly include neutralization test, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunofluorescence assay, and nucleic acid tests mainly include polymerase chain reaction (PCR), loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), reverse transcription polymerase spiral reaction, clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated proteins (Cas)-based assays. This review summarizes the progress of researches on serological and nucleic acid tests for detection of TBEV infections, so as to provide insights into prevention and control of tick-borne encephalitis.

Objective:o evaluate the clinical efficacy of the induced membrane technique combined with an antibiotic-impregnated bone cement-coated plate fixation in the treatment of chronic osteomyelitis of the distal femur.Methods:A retrospective study was performed on patients diagnosed with chronic osteomyelitis of the distal femur, who received the induced membrane technique combined with an antibiotic-impregnated bone cement-coated plate fixation at Southwest Hospital from November 2016 to December 2022. All patients underwent a two-stage surgical protocol. Stage I involved thorough debridement, placement of antibiotic-impregnated bone cement spacers, and internal fixation with antibiotic-impregnated bone cement-coated plates. Stage II comprised internal fixation for the repair and reconstruction of bone defects. Intraoperatively, microbial culture, antibiotic susceptibility testing, and pathological examination were conducted on bone tissue lesion samples to guide targeted anti-infective therapy. Postoperatively, laboratory markers including C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), along with clinical manifestations (e.g., incision drainage, redness, fever, and pain), were monitored to exclude infection recurrence. Infection control was ultimately confirmed by intraoperative frozen section analysis during the second stage. Additionally, bone healing was evaluated via X-ray of the affected limb every month after the second-stage surgery, and lower limb function was assessed using the final knee range of motion (ROM) and the lower extremity function scale (LEFS).Results:A total of 104 patients met the inclusion criteria, including 70 males and 34 females, with a mean age of 35.2±12.13 years. Thirty-seven patients were diagnosed with chronic hematogenous osteomyelitis (CHO) and 67 with post-traumatic osteomyelitis (PTOM). The mean follow-up was 25.48±6.61 months (range, 12-38 months). After the first-stage surgery, infection recurred in 6 CHO and 15 PTOM patients, requiring repeated debridement. Two CHO patients experienced infection recurrence after second-stage reconstruction, which was successfully controlled with further staged treatment. Five PTOM patients developed nonunion after second-stage bone grafting but ultimately achieved bone union after revision surgery. At final follow-up, CRP levels were 4.45±4.23 mg/L (CHO) and 5.16±4.26 mg/L (PTOM), and ESR levels were 5.47±7.42 mm/h (CHO) and 8.51±8.72 mm/h (PTOM), all significantly lower than preoperative values (CRP: CHO 68.31±65.61, PTOM 42.71±80.46; ESR: CHO 52.18±34.29, PTOM 45.87±39.13; all P<0.05). All patients ultimately achieved bone union. One PTOM patient with a preoperative rupture of the knee extensor mechanism had limited improvement in ROM (15° preoperatively vs. 12° at 4-year follow-up). In the remaining patients, knee ROM at final follow-up was significantly improved (CHO: 101.38°±43.73°, PTOM: 94.28°±43.94°) compared with preoperative values (CHO: 57.17°± 4.53°, PTOM: 39.61°±52.61°; all P<0.05). The final LEFS scores were 72.18±9.51 (CHO) and 71.66±10.25 (PTOM). Conclusion:The findings of this study demonstrate that the combination of the "Chongqing Technique" and the "Membrane-Induced Technique" is effective in eradicating chronic osteomyelitis of the distal femur, promoting bone healing, and restoring satisfactory knee joint function.

Calciphylaxis, also known as calcific uremic arteriopathy (CUA), is a rare arteriosclerosis disease characterized by skin ischemia and necrosis with severe pain, which occurs in end-stage renal disease patients. The efficacy of sodium thiosulfate (STS) in CUA has been widely verified and affirmed. However, there is no unified standard for the use of STS at home and abroad.This article introduced a case of severe CUA patient who had achieved good results under different STS usage treatments, and summarized the different STS usage treatments for CUA combined with literature.

Individual monitoring of occupational exposure consists of individual monitoring of external exposure and individual monitoring of internal exposure. In the early years, due to limitations in objective conditions, the implementation of internal exposure monitoring for radiation workers was relatively rare. Since 2018, the "Monitoring of Occupational Radiation Diseases Project" has supported provinces in successively conducting 131I measurements for nuclear medicine workers, and remarkable progress has been made. This paper analyzed and summarized the development of internal exposure monitoring for nuclear medicine in China in recent years and puts forward recommendations for future work.

Objective:To investigate the number of medical institutions and staff involved in 131I diagnosis and therapy in China, and to ascertain the level of 131I activity incorporated in thyroid of medical staff performing the 131I treatment. Methods:Questionnaires were used to investigate the basic information on nuclear medicine practices in all the non-military hospitals in China. Portable gamma spectrometers were used to determine and analyze the 131I activity in thyroid of the medical staff in some radioiodine treatment workplaces. The result were reported through National Radiological Health Information Platform. Results:Until December 2022, there had been 959 hospitals performing clinical nuclear medicine practices in China, with a total of 10 820 medical staff. In China, there have been 623 hospitals performing 131I therapeutical procedures, accounting for 65.0% of all nuclear medicine hospitals, and 333 hospitals performing 131I treatment of thyroid cancer, accounting for 34.7%. The hospitals equipped with automated radiopharmaceutical dispenser accounted for 61.3% of the 623 hospitals. A total of 2 210 nuclear medicine staff were monitored for internal exposure in 20 provinces in 2022, with 249 (11.3%) having activities above 100 Bq and the maximum value of 2.9 × 10 4 Bq. A total of 426 nuclear medicine staff in four provinces were detected using HPGe detectors, with 101 (23.7%) detected to have 131I in their thyroid glands. A total of 1 748 in 17 provinces were detected using NaI or LaBr detectors, with 379 (21.2%) detected to have 131I in their thyroid glands. The detection rate of 131I in the staff was found to increase with the increased amount of 131I purchased by hospitals. The detection rate of 131I in the hosptitals having purchased the amount of 131I≥3.70 × 10 6 MBq in 2021 was 32.1%. This value was notably higher than in the other three groups whose purchased amount <3.70 × 10 6 MBq, with a statistically significant difference( χ2=15.46, P < 0.001). Conclusions:There were great differences in the number of both hospitals and staff performing 131I treatment between different provinces in China. About one fifth of the staff in the 131I treatment workplaces could be detected to have incorporated 131I in their thyroid glands.

Objectives:The aim of this study was to investigate the value of assessing Selvester QRS score in evaluating myocardial fibrosis in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy(HCM)patients.Methods:A total of consecutive 149 patients with HCM,who were admitted in Fuwai Hospital from October 2008 to September 2013,were enrolled in this study.Qualitative and quantitative analyses of myocardial fibrosis were conducted based on late gadolinium enhancement(LGE)derived from enhanced cardiac magnetic resonance imaging(CMR).According to the qualitative analysis of myocardial fibrosis by CMR-LGE,the patients were divided into the LGE-negative group(n=46)and the LGE-positive group(n=103).Standard 12-lead electrocardiogram examination was performed and the Selvester QRS score was calculated.Multivariate binary Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the predictive factors of positive LGE,and the correlation analysis between the Selvester QRS score and the LGE score was also performed.Results:Compared with the LGE-negative group,the proportion of patients with a family history of HCM(12.8%vs.28.2%),the proportion of patients with a positive Selvester QRS score(65.2%vs.83.5%)and the Selvester QRS score([1.65±1.81]points vs.[5.71±3.80]points)were higher,the maximum thickness of the left ventricular wall([20.5±3.2]mm vs.[24.5±5.0]mm)and the percentage of left ventricular myocardial scar area([5.0±5.5]%vs.[17.1±11.4]%)were larger in the LGE-positive group(all P<0.05).Multivariate binary logistic regression analysis showed that the Selvester QRS score(OR=1.429,95%CI:1.128-1.802,P=0.003)and the maximum left ventricular wall thickness(OR=1.257,95%CI:1.029-1.537,P=0.025)were independent predictors of positive LGE.Pearson correlation analysis showed that in all HCM patients,the Selvester QRS score was positively correlated with the LGE score(r=0.682,P<0.001),and the percentage of left ventricular myocardial scar area was positively correlated with the percentage of enhanced area to the total mass of left ventricular myocardium(LGE%)(r=0.682,P<0.001);In the LGE positive group,the Selvester QRS score was positively correlated with the LGE score(r=0.569,P<0.001).Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis showed that the optimal cut-off values of Selvester QRS score and maximum left ventricular wall thickness for predicting positive LGE were≥3.5 points and≥21 mm,respectively.Conclusions:In HCM patients,the Selvester QRS score is significantly associated with myocardial fibrosis,and the total score≥3.5 serves as a good predictive cutoffvalue for identifying the presence of LGE.

Objectives:To summarize the characteristics of Fabry′s disease with cardiac involvement.Methods:This was a single-center, cross-sectional, retrospective study. Patients with Fabry disease who were admitted to Zhongda Hospital Affiliated to Southeast University from January 2022 to March 2023 were included. Clinical data, laboratory results, electrocardiogram, echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance findings of enrolled patients were collected. Clinical presentations and imaging features of patients with Fabry′s disease with cardiac involvement were summarized and analyzed.Results:A total of 17 patients from 8 families were included, with 9 males and diagnosis age of (44.35±13.72) years. Cardiac involvement and other organ involvement were presented in all patients and the heart was the most vulnerable organ (17/17). 24 h electrocardiogram showed frequent sinus arrhythmia in 3 patients. Echocardiography showed reduced left ventricular ejection fraction in 1 patient, myocardial hypertrophy in 13 patients, and left ventricular wall thickness ≥13 mm in 10 patients. Mitral regurgitation was observed in 11 patients and tricuspid regurgitation in 12 patients. Two patients underwent two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography, both revealing reduced regional longitudinal strain of the left ventricle, primarily in the basal segments. Cardiac magnetic resonance showed reduced left ventricular ejection fraction in 2 patients, myocardial hypertrophy in 16 patients, and left ventricular wall thickness≥13 mm in 14 patients. T1 value was reduced in 16 patients, with late gadolinium enhancement observed in 9 patients and “pseudo-normalization” of T1 values in 1 patient. The most susceptible target organ besides the heart was the kidneys (14/17), followed by the central nervous system (9/17). Additional findings inclucling cutaneous angiokeratoma in 4 patients, peripheral neuropathy with burning pain and hypohidrosis or hyperhidrosis in 6 patients, and corneal vortex opacities in 2 patients.Conclusion:The main manifestations of cardiac involvement in Fabry′s disease are decreased cardiac function, left ventricular hypertrophy and myocardial fibrosis. Advanced imaging techniques such as two-dimensional speckle tracking, T1 Mapping, and late gadolinium enhancement are useful in detecting myocardial pathological changes of Fabry′s disease.

Objective:o evaluate the clinical efficacy of the induced membrane technique combined with an antibiotic-impregnated bone cement-coated plate fixation in the treatment of chronic osteomyelitis of the distal femur.Methods:A retrospective study was performed on patients diagnosed with chronic osteomyelitis of the distal femur, who received the induced membrane technique combined with an antibiotic-impregnated bone cement-coated plate fixation at Southwest Hospital from November 2016 to December 2022. All patients underwent a two-stage surgical protocol. Stage I involved thorough debridement, placement of antibiotic-impregnated bone cement spacers, and internal fixation with antibiotic-impregnated bone cement-coated plates. Stage II comprised internal fixation for the repair and reconstruction of bone defects. Intraoperatively, microbial culture, antibiotic susceptibility testing, and pathological examination were conducted on bone tissue lesion samples to guide targeted anti-infective therapy. Postoperatively, laboratory markers including C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), along with clinical manifestations (e.g., incision drainage, redness, fever, and pain), were monitored to exclude infection recurrence. Infection control was ultimately confirmed by intraoperative frozen section analysis during the second stage. Additionally, bone healing was evaluated via X-ray of the affected limb every month after the second-stage surgery, and lower limb function was assessed using the final knee range of motion (ROM) and the lower extremity function scale (LEFS).Results:A total of 104 patients met the inclusion criteria, including 70 males and 34 females, with a mean age of 35.2±12.13 years. Thirty-seven patients were diagnosed with chronic hematogenous osteomyelitis (CHO) and 67 with post-traumatic osteomyelitis (PTOM). The mean follow-up was 25.48±6.61 months (range, 12-38 months). After the first-stage surgery, infection recurred in 6 CHO and 15 PTOM patients, requiring repeated debridement. Two CHO patients experienced infection recurrence after second-stage reconstruction, which was successfully controlled with further staged treatment. Five PTOM patients developed nonunion after second-stage bone grafting but ultimately achieved bone union after revision surgery. At final follow-up, CRP levels were 4.45±4.23 mg/L (CHO) and 5.16±4.26 mg/L (PTOM), and ESR levels were 5.47±7.42 mm/h (CHO) and 8.51±8.72 mm/h (PTOM), all significantly lower than preoperative values (CRP: CHO 68.31±65.61, PTOM 42.71±80.46; ESR: CHO 52.18±34.29, PTOM 45.87±39.13; all P<0.05). All patients ultimately achieved bone union. One PTOM patient with a preoperative rupture of the knee extensor mechanism had limited improvement in ROM (15° preoperatively vs. 12° at 4-year follow-up). In the remaining patients, knee ROM at final follow-up was significantly improved (CHO: 101.38°±43.73°, PTOM: 94.28°±43.94°) compared with preoperative values (CHO: 57.17°± 4.53°, PTOM: 39.61°±52.61°; all P<0.05). The final LEFS scores were 72.18±9.51 (CHO) and 71.66±10.25 (PTOM). Conclusion:The findings of this study demonstrate that the combination of the "Chongqing Technique" and the "Membrane-Induced Technique" is effective in eradicating chronic osteomyelitis of the distal femur, promoting bone healing, and restoring satisfactory knee joint function.

Objective:To separate and purify the polysaccharides from Polygonatum filipes,characterize their primary structure and investigate the immunomodulatory effects on RAW264.7 macrophages.Methods:Crude polysaccharides from Polygonatum filipes were extracted by ultrasound assisted method,then Polygonatum filipes polysaccharides(CSPFPs)were obtained after elimination of the proteins with combined papain-Sevag method.The total sugar content was determined by phenol-sulfuric acid method.Structures of CSPFPs were analyzed by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FT-IR),high performance gel permeation chromatography(HPGPC)and high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC).Effects of CSPFPs on cell viability,pinocytic activity,TNF-α secretion,MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways of RAW264.7 cells were explored by MTT,Neutral red,ELISA and Western blot,respectively.Results:Extraction rate of CSPFPs by ultrasound-assisted method was 41.61%,which contained total sugar content of 94.00%.CSPFPs with Mw of 3 125 Da was composed of arabinose(1.85%),galactose(6.14%),glucose(56.41%)and mannose(35.60%).The in vitro experiments showed that CSPFPs were non-cytotoxic and enhanced the pinocytic activity,TNF-α secretion and phosphorylation levels of p38,ERK,JNK,p65,IκB and IKK,indicating the activation of MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways under the concentra-tion of 2.5～200 μg/ml.Conclusion:The ultrasound-assisted method can efficiently isolate CSPFPs with immunomodulatory activity,which provides basic data for the development and application of CSPFPs as an immunostimulant.

Individual monitoring of occupational exposure consists of individual monitoring of external exposure and individual monitoring of internal exposure. In the early years, due to limitations in objective conditions, the implementation of internal exposure monitoring for radiation workers was relatively rare. Since 2018, the "Monitoring of Occupational Radiation Diseases Project" has supported provinces in successively conducting 131I measurements for nuclear medicine workers, and remarkable progress has been made. This paper analyzed and summarized the development of internal exposure monitoring for nuclear medicine in China in recent years and puts forward recommendations for future work.