ObjectiveTo evaluate the detection specificity for clinical samples and the detection capability for standard substances of five commercially available multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) nucleic acid detection kits (hereinafter referred to as the kits) for respiratory pathogens, and to provide a reference for selecting appropriate detection kits for multi-pathogen nucleic acid testing of respiratory infections. MethodsA total of 60 respiratory pathogen-positive clinical samples with known redults were selected and tested using the five kits (labeled as A, B, C, D, and E). The detection rates and Kappa coefficients were calculated to evaluate the consistency between the results from these kits and those from single-pathogen PCR kits. According to the limit of detection (LOD) provided by the kits, standard substances of respiratory pathogens (including 12 types such as influenza virus, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and Bordetella pertussis) were diluted to four concentrations (250, 500, 1 000, and 2 000 copies·mL⁻¹). All five kits were used for detection to evaluate their respective detection capabilities. ResultsCompared with the results from single-pathogen PCR kits, the five tested kits demonstrated good consistency (all Kappa >0.80). Among them, Kit A had the highest detection rate (100.00%), followed by Kits C and E (98.33%), and then Kits B and D (95.00%). All five kits showed a relatively low false negative rate (FNR) for samples with a cycle threshold (Ct) value ≤35 (≤2.38%). However, for samples with Ct values>35, the FNR increased accordingly(average FNR=6.67%, P=0.029). Kit C exhibited the highest detection sensitivity for the tested standard substances (average LOD: 458.33 copies·mL⁻¹), followed by Kit D, then Kits A/E, and finally Kit B. ConclusionThe five multiplex PCR kits showed good consistency with single-pathogen detection results, but each had its own performance emphasis. Kit A, with the highest detection rate and high throughput, is suitable for targeted viral screening. Kit B, covering the broadest pathogen spectrum (including fungi/bacteria), is suitable for comprehensive respiratory pathogen screening. Kits C, D and E, are applicable for rapid detection. It is important to note that the detection efficacy of all kits decreases for low viral load samples with Ct values >35. In practical application, selection should be based on specific screening objectives, throughput requirements, and sample types.

ObjectiveTo develop an assessment tool for apraxia of speech (AOS) of Chinese Putonghua speakers and test its reliability and validity. MethodsThe Chinese Apraxia of Speech Assessment and Diagnostic Tool (CAADT) was developed based on the Apraxia of Speech Rating Scale 3.5, combined with the linguistic characteristics of Chinese and clinical experience. The tool consistsed of eleven items across three sections: articulation, prosody and alternating motion rates. Six experts evaluated the content validity. From November, 2024 to May, 2025, 51 patients with post-stroke AOS (experimental group) and ten patients with post-stroke aphasia without AOS (control group) were recruited from Anhui Wannan Rehabilitation Hospital (the Fifth People's Hospital of Wuhu), and tested with CAADT. Reliability was assessed using Cronbach's α coefficient, Kendall's coefficient of concordance W and Pearson correlation coefficient. Validity was evaluated using the content validity index (CVI) and Spearman correlation coefficient. Discriminative effect was analyzed using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. ResultsThe Cronbach's α coefficients for the articulation and prosody sections and the total scale were all > 0.9, while it was 0.454 for the alternating motion rates. Inter-rater reliability was good (W ≥ 0.598, P < 0.001). Test-retest reliability showed high positive correlations for the three sections and the total score between the two assessments (r ≥ 0.84, P < 0.001). The scale-level CVI was 0.95, and the item-level CVI ≥ 0.83. The Spearman correlation coefficients among the sections ranged from 0.30 to 0.70. ROC analysis revealed an area under the curve of 0.953, with a cut-off value of 11, yielding a sensitivity of 0.92 and a specificity of 0.90. ConclusionCAADT demonstrates good reliability, validity and discriminative effect, which can be used for clinical assessment and auxiliary diagnosis of Chinese Putonghua speaking patients with post-stroke AOS.

BACKGROUND:Currently,different methods of model establishment have been derived from different injury modes of spinal cord injury.Traditional physical injury modeling methods have their own advantages and disadvantages,and there is a lack of more effective and stable animal models of spinal cord injury. OBJECTIVE:To establish a reproducible,controllable,trauma-free,low-mortality,more stable,widely applicable,and short-term postoperative care rat model of spinal cord injury. METHODS:Forty Sprague-Dawley rats with similar body mass and ages were randomly divided into a control group and an improved group,with 20 rats in each group.Animal models of spinal cord injury in the control group were constructed using a clip model method,while the improved group used a modified ligation method based on the compression method to make the spinal cord injury models using suture ligation based on fenestration.Postoperative comparisons were made between the two groups,assessing urination behavior,hematuria,pyuria(infection rate),mortality,scoliosis rate and Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan locomotor rating scale scores at 1,3,5,and 7 days after modeling. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the conventional modeling method,the modified ligation method based on the compression method resulted in faster recovery of urination behavior,lower hematuria rate,lower infection rate,lower mortality rate,lower scoliosis rate,and more concentrated and stable Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan scores(all below 2 points within 1 week).This proves that the modified ligation method based on compression is more suitable for the establishment of spinal cord injury models in rats.

Objective To investigate a rapid detection method for compressed Nitrous oxide(N2O).Methods The GC-MS system was employed under conventional chromatographic conditions(without replacing standard columns or utilizing headspace sampling)by directly injecting a small gas sample for analysis.N2O identification was performed via NIST spectral library matching,while qualitative and quantitative purity assessments were achieved by monitoring the relative abundance variation of the characteristic fragment ion m/z 30 to eliminate CO2 interference.Results The fragment ion m/z 30 demonstrated specificity for N2O identification.A linear correlation was observed between the peak area of m/z 30 and N2O purity(y=22.741x-1.4565,R2=0.912 6),enabling quantitative purity determination.Additionally,the abundance of m/z30 exhibited a correlation with N2O in CO2 mixtures(y=0.7787x-0.0387,R2=0.722 2).Conclusion Conventional N2O identification typically requires dedicated GC-MS systems,gas-specific chromatographic columns,and headspace sampling.This study successfully utilized routine chromatographic conditions for organic toxicant screening to achieve rapid N2O analysis.The proposed method holds practical significance for compressed N2O identification in forensic and analytical applications.

Body weight abnormalities, including overweight, obesity, and underweight, have become a dual public health challenge in Chinese adults: overweight and obesity lead to a variety of chronic complications, while underweight increases the risks of malnutrition, sarcopenia, and organ dysfunction. To systematically address these issues, multidisciplinary experts in endocrinology, sports science, nutrition, and psychiatry from various regions have held multiple weight management seminars. Based on the latest epidemiological data and clinical evidence, they expanded the guideline to include assessment and intervention strategies for underweight, in addition to the core content of obesity management. This guideline outlines the etiological mechanisms, evaluation methods, and multidimensional management strategies for overweight and obesity, covering key areas such as diagnosis and assessment, medical nutrition therapy, exercise prescription, pharmacological intervention, and psychological support. It is intended to provide a scientific and standardized approach to weight management across the adult population, aiming to curb the rising prevalence of obesity, mitigate complications associated with abnormal body weight, and improve nutritional status and overall quality of life.

Objective:To investigate the effectiveness and safety of lacosamide (LCM) in pregnant women with epilepsy.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted involving 6 pregnant women with epilepsy who were treated with LCM at the Electroencephalogram Monitoring Center of the Department of Neurology, Xijing Hospital of Air Force Military Medical University from January 2022 to June 2023. Their electroclinical characteristics, seizures during pregnancy, breastfeeding, and follow-up were summarized.Results:The 6 patients were aged 22 to 30 years at the time of pregnancy. Three patients were treated with monotherapy, with a daily dose of LCM ranging from 150 mg to 200 mg, while the other 3 patients were treated with combination therapy, with a daily dose of 150 mg. The seizures of 5 patients decreased during pregnancy compared with progestation except for the case 2 without adherence to Medication. No malformations were observed in the newborns, with the Apgar scores of 9-10 at 1 minute and 5 minutes after birth. The infants showed normal growth, development, intelligence, and motor skills in subsequent assessments. Two patients breastfed their infants, 1 for 6 months and the other for 14 months by the last follow-up, with a daily LCM dose of 150 mg to 300 mg during the breastfeeding. No adverse reactions were observed in the infants.Conclusion:The addition of LCM during pregnancy and lactation showed good effectiveness and safety, with no observed birth malformations.

Three evaluation methods were recommended for the key properties of the intravascular catheter lubricating coating such as stability,lubricity and integrity,including insoluble particle test method,friction test procedure and appearance detection method.Fifteen batches of microcatheters produced by different manufacturers were selected for testing to clarify the three methods in test principle,step,result,characteristic.References were provided for the design,production,evaluation and regulation of intravascular catheters with lubricant coatings.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(1):66-72]

Objective:To analyze the safety and short-term efficacy of thoracic radiotherapy combined with anlotinib in the treatment of inoperable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).Methods:A prospective study was conducted on patients with unresectable locally advanced NSCLC who were intolerant to concurrent chemoradiotherapy and treated at the Department of Radiation Oncology, Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, from October 2020 to September 2023. Anlotinib was administered orally concurrently with radiotherapy (days 1-14, 21 days per cycle, for 3 cycles). Adverse effects and short-term tumor recurrence were observed from the beginning of radiotherapy to the 3-month post-radiotherapy. Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) rates from the date of initial treatment (induction therapy), and intergroup comparisons were performed using the log-rank test.Results:The median age was 62 years (range:42-76 years), with a male predominance ( n=36, 88%) of the included 41 patients. The incidence of grade 3-4 acute hematologic adverse events was 20% (8 cases); the incidence of grade 3 hemoptysis was 2% (1 case), with no grade 4 hemoptysis; the incidence of grade 3-4 radiation pneumonitis was 10% (4 cases). No grade 5 adverse events were observed in the entire cohort. With a median follow-up of 19.7 months (range: 7.1-50.1 months), 19 patients (46%) experienced recurrence, including 4 patients (10%) with local recurrence, 6 patients (15%) with regional lymph node recurrence, and 11 patients (27%) with distant metastases. The 1-year PFS rate was 78.3%. 8 patients (20%) died, including 3 patients died from COVID-19 infection during the follow-up period, 1 patient who died from hypostatic pneumonia due to prolonged bed rest after cerebral infarction, and 4 patients died from tumor-related causes. The 1-year OS rate was 78.0%. Conclusions:Thoracic radiotherapy combined with anlotinib demonstrates good safety, manageable adverse events, and favorable short-term efficacy in NSCNC patients intolerant to concurrent chemoradiotherapy.

Objective:To analyze the prognostic value of systemic inflammatory score (SIS) in patients with unresectable stage Ⅲ non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated by definitive chemoradiotherapy (dCRT) combined with or without consolidation immunotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI).Methods:The medical record data of 229 patients who received dCRT from January 2014 to December 2017 and 183 patients who received dCRT combined with any form of ICI (induction, concurrent, consolidation or combination) from August 2018 to August 2022 in the Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences were retrospectively analyzed. Upon admission, 1 and 3 months after treatment (efficacy evaluation) and upon tumor recurrence, peripheral blood count was collected, and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and SIS were calculated, respectively. The SIS before, 1 and 3 months after treatment was defined as SIS 0, SIS 1 and SIS 3, respectively. Overall survival (OS) was considered as the primary endpoint. All patients were divided into dCRT group and dCRT+ICI group according to whether received immunotherapy, and then divided into different subgroups based on the cutoff value of SIS determined by X-Tile software. The prognostic value of SIS was evaluated by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) was used to evaluate the predictive efficiency. The predictive value of SIS was compared with inflammatory indexes (NLR, PLR) and independent prognostic factors. Results:In the dCRT group, the optimal cutoff value of SIS 0 was 590×10 9 and 530×10 9 in the dCRT+ICIs group. Univariate and multivariate analyses indicated that SIS 0 was an independent predictive factor of OS, progression - free survival (PFS), local - recurrence free survival (LRFS) and distant metastasis free survival (DMFS) in the dCRT group, but not associated with DMFS in the dCRT+ICI group. In the dCRT group, SIS 1>970×10 9 (optimal cutoff value) predicted poor OS ( HR=2.512, 95% CI=1.622-3.198, P<0.001), PFS ( HR=1.726, 95% CI=1.187-2.509, P=0.004), and DMFS ( HR=1.625, 95% CI=1.029-2.564, P=0.037). In the dCRT+ICI group, SIS 3>1570×10 9 (optimal cutoff value) indicated poor OS ( HR=5.107, 95% CI=1.731-15.069, P=0.003). In both groups, the AUC of SIS was higher than NLR, PLR and other traditional clinicopathological predictive indexes except T stage. Conclusions:SIS before treatment can be considered as an independent, dependable and easily acquired prognostic marker in patients with unresectable stage Ⅲ NSCLC treated by dCRT or dCRT+ICI. In the dCRT+ICI group, the optimal time point of post-radiotherapy SIS (3 months after treatment) is postponed than that (1 month after treatment) in the dCRT group.

Objective:To explore the perioperative precautions, rehabilitation effect, and affecting factors in cochlear implantation (CI) among patients with hereditary syndromic hearing loss.Methods:This was a retrospective cohort study. 47 patients diagnosed as hereditary syndromic deafness were treated in the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery of the Chinese PLA General Hospital from 2010 to 2021, including 26 males and 21 females, aged 0.9-25 years. All patients received unilateral or bilateral CI. Clinical manifestation combined with genetic testing was used to diagnose syndromic hearing loss. The risks and precautions of CI in these patients were summarized from preoperative imaging, intraoperative observations, and postoperative complications. Single factor linear regression and multiple linear regression models in SPSS 26.0 software were used to evaluate the effects of various factors on auditory and speech rehabilitation after CI for syndromic hearing loss. The postoperative outcomes were analyzed through aided hearing thresholds, categories of auditory performance (CAP) scale, and speech intelligibility rate (SIR) scale.Results:Thirteen kinds of syndromes, totally 47 cases, including CHARGE (20 cases), Waardenburg (9 cases), Autosomal dominant deafness-onychodystrophy (DDOD, 4 cases), Pendred (3 cases), Noonan Syndrome with Multiple Lentigines (NSML, 2 cases), Branchio-Oto-Renal (BOR, 2 cases), Bart-Pumphery (1 case), Perrault (1 case), Kabuki (1 case), Frontometaphyseal dysplasia type 2 (FMD 2, 1 case), Mandibulofacial dysostosis Guion-Almeida type (MFDGA, 1 case), Coffin-Siris (1 case), and 10q26.12-q26.3 del (1 case), were enrolled. The perioperative special management included the following measures. For patients with cardiac and/or cartilage development issues, preoperative assessments of cardiac function and/or laryngeal cartilage development were performed to minimize anesthetic risks. For patients with mild intellectual disability and/or an auditory neuropathy phenotype, preoperative communication with the patients′ families was conducted to explain the limitations of CI and assist in setting reasonable expectations. For syndromic hearing loss patients who commonly present with inner ear malformations, facial nerve anomalies, and/or intraoperative cerebrospinal fluid leakage, appropriate electrodes were selected prior to surgery, intraoperative facial nerve monitoring and careful cerebrospinal fluid leak repair were conducted, respectively. For patients with NSML accompanied by coagulation issues, the postoperative compression bandaging duration was extended to reduce the risk of hematoma formation. The daily duration of cochlear implant use, the presence of cochlear malformation, and developmental delay were independent factors influencing postoperative CAP scores. The daily duration of cochlear implant use, developmental delay, and unilateral or bilateral CI were independent factors influencing postoperative SIR scores.Conclusions:Hereditary syndrome deafness is a rare disease that affects multiple organs and causes extensive functional impairment. Before CI, a comprehensive evaluation of major affected organ functions is required to assess anesthetic and surgical risks. Genetic diagnosis not only identifies the molecular etiology of patients with syndromic hearing loss and reveals rare phenotypes, but also aids in prognostic evaluation. The main factors affecting CI outcomes in patients with syndromic hearing loss include the presence of cochlear malformations, developmental delays, daily duration of cochlear implant use, and bilateral implantation status.