Objective: To retrospectively assess whether a lower hematocrit level (between 18% and 20%) had any impact on the safety of patients undergoing therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE), and to further determine the threshold for red blood cell supplementation prior to TPE. Methods: Clinical data from 181 adult patients who underwent TPE treatment at the Department of Blood Transfusion of our hospital from March 2023 to July 2024 were collected. The patients were divided into a study group of 44 patients (Hct ≥18% and <20%) and a control group of 137 patients (Hct≥20%). In two groups, blood volume-related safety indicators including respiration rate, heart rate, systolic blood pressure, and blood oxygen saturation levels before and after TPE were compared using t-test. Between-group differences in the grading of adverse reactions such as allergies and hypotension were analyzed using chi-square test. Results: A total of 659 TPE treatments were performed on 181 patients, with 169 TPE treatments on 44 patients in the study group (Hct≥18% and <20%) and 490 TPE treatments on 137 patients in the control group (Hct≥20%). There were no statistically significant differences in age, gender, BMI category, and the presence of cardiac insufficiency between the two groups. In the study group, there were no statistically significant differences in safety indicators such as respiration rate, heart rate, systolic blood pressure, and blood oxygen saturation level before and after TPE. In the control group, there were no statistically significant differences in heart rate and systolic blood pressure before and after TPE, but there were statistically significant differences in respiration rate and blood oxygen saturation level (P<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in the grading of adverse reactions such as allergic reactions and hypotension between the two groups. Conclusion: For adult patients with stable conditions, maintaining a lower hematocrit level (Hct ≥18% and <20%) during TPE is relatively safe. It is feasible to lower the TPE red blood cell supplementation threshold to 18%≤Hct<20%，which may save blood resources while potentially benefit patients by avoiding unnecessary red blood cell transfusion.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the single-use hemoperfusion device (UA230) in treating refractory gout (RG) via plasma perfusion. Methods: Thirty-four RG patients aged 18-65 years were recruited and randomly divided into a control group (febuxostat therapy, n=17) and an experimental group (plasma perfusion combined with febuxostat therapy, n=17). Differences in serum uric acid (SUA) levels and urate-lowering rates between the two groups were analyzed using t-tests. Between-group differences in incidence of adverse reactions were analyzed using chi-square tests. Results: At 7 and 14 days post-treatment, SUA levels in the experimental group were significantly lower than those in the control group, with a higher urate-lowering rate (all P<0.05). However, no statistically significant differences in SUA levels or urate-lowering rate were observed at 28 days post-treatment (all P>0.05). The incidence of adverse reactions showed no significant difference between the two groups (χ =0.15, P>0.05). Conclusion: The single-use hemoperfusion device (UA230), combined with plasma perfusion technology, is a safe and effective treatment for RG. It may serve as a novel therapeutic approach for RG patients in clinical practice.

When artificial intelligence is integrated into medical decision-making,the ambiguous definition of technological autonomy and the multi-party game of responsibility allocation lead to legal disputes over rights and responsibilities as well as ethical challenges.Focusing on clinical diagnosis,treatment strategy generation,and prognosis assessment,this paper reveals the data bias and decision traceability deficiencies caused by the"black box"of algorithms,and then proposes solutions from 3 dimensions:defining responsible parties,standardizing technical defect assessments,and promoting interdisciplinary collaboration.From a legal perspective,based on the"high-risk system"classification under the European Union Artificial Intelligence Act and no-fault liability principle under the product liability relative laws,a 3-tier responsibility framework of developer-operator-medical institution is constructed:for auxiliary systems,operating physicians bear ultimate responsibility;for decision-making systems,developers are required to provide verifiable algorithms and take joint liability.Ethically,dynamic review mechanisms(such as mandatory disclosure of decision tree logic and data balance metrics)are suggested to balance technological efficiency with patients' right to informed consent.

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of Dulongneedling in the treatment of vertigo in cervical spondylosis of vertebral artery(CSA).Methods A total of 46 cases of patients with definitive diagnosis of vertigo in CSA admitted to the outpatient clinic of the Acupuncture,Muxibustion and Rehabilitation Department of Guangdong Second Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital from June to October 2024 were selected for the study.The patients were randomly divided into observation group and control group according to the random number table method,with 23 cases in each group.The observation group was treated with Dulongten-needling in shoulder and neck,and the control group was given conventional acupuncture treatment,the course of treatment for the two groups covered two weeks.After two weeks of treatment,the clinical efficacy of the two groups was evaluated,and the changes in the scores of Evaluation Scale For Cervical Vertigo(ESCV)before and after treatment were observed in the patients of the two groups.Three dimensional pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling(3D-pCASL)technique was applied to determin the changes in cerebral blood flow(CBF)values in the region of region of interest(ROI),and the changes in CBF values in the patients of the two groups were compared.Results(1)The total effective rate of the observation group was 91.30%(21/23),and that of the control group was 78.26%(18/23),and the efficacy of the observation group was superior to that of the control group,the difference being statistically significant(P<0.05).(2)After treatment,the ESCV scores of patients in the two groups were significantly improved(P<0.05),and the improvement in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group,the difference being statistically significant(P<0.05).(3)After treatment,the CBF change values of each ROI in the two groups showed elevated(positive),and the CBF change values of the right middle cerebral artery(R-MCA)in the control group showed decreased(negative).After treatment,the CBF change values of the observation group in the blood supply areas of the right posterior inferior cerebellar artery(R-PICA),right anterior inferior cerebellar artery(R-AICA),right anterior cerebral artery(R-ACA),branches from vertebral arteries(VA)and basilar arteries(BA),bilateral superior cerebellar arteries(SCA),and bilateral posterior cerebral arteries(PCA)were significantly elevated,and the observation group was significantly superior in improving the above ROIs in the CBF change value to that of the control group,the difference being statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion Dulongneedling in the treatment of vertigo in CSA can significantly improve the CBF of patients,reduce the clinical symptoms such as vertigo,neck and shoulder pain,headache.

OBJECTIVE To construct a double helix model for evaluating the job competency of licensed pharmacists in retail pharmacies， and to provide a reference for building a talented team of licensed pharmacists and promoting the high-quality development of pharmaceutical care. METHODS Based on the competency iceberg model and double helix structure theory， literature analysis and the Delphi method were adopted to explore the model indicators； questionnaires were designed to survey licensed pharmacists in retail pharmacies from Shandong Province. The exploratory factor analysis was used to correct the model indicators and establish a double helix model for evaluating the job competency of licensed pharmacists in retail pharmacies， which was examined by validation factor analysis. RESULTS The recovery rate of the questionnaires in the two rounds of expert consultation was greater than 90%， the expert authority coefficients were both more than 0.86， and the overall Kendall’s W values were 0.288 and 0.510， respectively； after the correction of the exploratory factor analysis， the double helix model for evaluating the job competency of licensed pharmacists in retail pharmacies was established， which contained 4 first-level indexes such as occupational literacy， occupational knowledge， occupational competency and internal motivation， and 23 second-level indexes. The model contained occupational knowledge and occupational competency in the explicit competency chain， occupational literacy and internal motivation in the implicit competency chain， and policy support， incentive mechanism， education and training as the hydrogen bonds connecting the two main chains. The validation factor analysis showed that the model’s goodness of fit index， comparative fit index， and normed fit index all exceeded 0.9； the reliability of the combination of the four first-level indexes ranged from 0.89 to 0.95； the average variance extracted ranged from 0.58 to 0.75， and Cronbach’s α coefficients for both the overall model and the first-level indicators were all greater than 0.84. CONCLUSIONS The constructed double helix model for evaluating the job competency of licensed pharmacists in retail pharmacies is scientific， reasonable and practical.

BACKGROUND:Previous studies have found that qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome is the main syndrome among various TCM syndromes of cervical spondylotic myelopathy.However,there is no report on proteomic markers as early diagnosis indicators for the transformation of developmental cervical spinal stenosis with qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome to cervical spondylotic myelopathy. OBJECTIVE:To explore serum proteomics difference between developmental cervical spinal stenosis and cervical spondylotic myelopathy and to find and identify the potential serum biomarkers between them. METHODS:Serum samples of nine patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy of qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome(experimental group)and nine patients with developmental cervical spinal stenosis of qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome(control group)were collected.The proteomic analysis was carried out by Tandem Mass Tag combined with liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry,so as to find and identify differentially expressed proteins. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:A total of 1027 significantly differential proteins were initially screened by TMT technology and 89 significantly differential proteins were finally identified(P<0.05).Compared with the control group,there were 45 up-regulated proteins in the experimental group,such as α-actinin-4,α-actinin-1,cell division control protein 42 homolog,integrin-linked protein kinase and B-actin.Conversely,there were 44 down-regulated proteins in the experimental group compared with the control group,such as fibronectin,fibrinogen γ chain,fibrinogen α chain,fibrinogen β chain.Gene ontology enrichment analysis indicated that these differential proteins were involved in signal receptor binding,kinase binding,protein kinase activity,integrin binding,actin filament binding and other molecular functions.Based on the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis,20 common differential signal/metabolic pathways were identified,including Rap1 signaling pathway,adherens junction,tight junction,platelet activation,and regulation of actin cytoskeleton.Protein-protein interaction analysis showed that ILK,FGA,FGB,FGG,FN1,Cdc42,ACTN1,ACTN4 and ACTB were located at the nodes of protein-protein interaction network and were closely related to bone formation and destruction system,nervous system,coagulation system,cellular inflammation and other systems.To conclude,the serum differentially expressed proteins between developmental cervical spinal stenosis and cervical spondylotic myelopathy can be successfully screened by Tandem Mass Tag combined with liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry.ILK,FN1,CDC42 and ACTN 4 are identified as specific markers for the transformation of developmental cervical spinal stenosis with qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome into cervical spondylotic myelopathy.These findings provide a basis for further clarifying the transformation mechanism.

BACKGROUND:Unilateral biportal endoscopic technique has been widely used in lumbar interbody fusion in recent years,but there is little comparison between its clinical efficacy and that of minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion(MIS-TLIF)in the treatment of lumbar degenerative disease,whether the unilateral biportal endoscopic technique is a safe and effective lumbar fusion remains to be further demonstrated. OBJECTIVE:To compare the clinical efficacy of unilateral biportal endoscopic lumbar interbody fusion(UBE-LIF)and MIS-TLIF in the treatment of lumbar degenerative diseases and explore a more efficient lumbar fusion procedure. METHODS:Patients with single-level lumbar degenerative disease were enrolled in Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical College from October 2020 to February 2022,including 35 patients who underwent UBE-LIF and 286 patients who underwent MIS-TLIF.Propensity score matching was used to eliminate confounders.Four covariates including sex,age,disease type and surgical segment were matched 1:1(caliper value 0.01).After matching,29 patients from each group were included in the study.The perioperative operative time,hemoglobin loss and hospital stay were compared between the two groups.Visual analog scale score and Oswestry disability index were used to evaluate the functional recovery of the two groups before,1,6 months and 1 year after operation.The excellent and good rate of the two groups was evaluated by the modified MacNab standard at the last follow-up.The fusion of the two groups was evaluated by Lenke Dynamic X-ray film. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The operative time in the MIS-TLIF group was shorter than that in the UBE-LIF group(P＜0.05).The amount of intraoperative hemoglobin loss in the MIS-TLIF group was higher than that in the UBE-LIF group.The hospital stay in the MIS-TLIF group was longer than that in the UBE-LIF group,and the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.05).(2)The visual analog scale scores for lumbago and leg pain,and Oswestry disability index were significantly reduced in both groups 1,6 months,and 1 year after surgery compared to before surgery(P＜0.05).Except for the visual analog scale score for lumbago at 1 month after surgery,there was no significant difference in the visual analog scale score for lumbago and leg pain,and Oswestry disability index between the two groups at the above time points(P＞0.05).(3)At the last follow-up,the modified MacNab standard efficacy evaluation showed that the excellent and good rates were 93%(27/29)in the UBE-LIF group and 90%(26/29)in the MIS-TLIF group;there was no significant difference between the two groups(P＞0.05).(4)Lenke dynamic radiographic evaluation system evaluation for lumbar fusion exhibited that the fusion rate was 90%(grade A,21 cases;grade B,5 cases;grade C,3 cases)in the UBE-LIF group;the fusion rate was 86%(grade A,20 cases;grade B,5 cases;grade C,4 cases)in the MIS-TLIF group;there was no significant difference between the two groups(P＞0.05).(5)It is indicated that UBE-LIF and MIS-TLIF have similar clinical effects in the treatment of single-level lumbar degenerative disease with the advantages of less trauma,less bleeding and shorter hospital stay.In addition,the early postoperative lumbago was relatively mild and the learning curve was relatively smooth.Although the operative time in the UBE-LIF group was longer than that in the MIS-TLIF group,it was still a safe and effective operation.

BACKGROUND:Serum-specific biomarkers between normal healthy individuals and populations with developmental cervical canal stenosis(Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome)have not been fully defined. OBJECTIVE:To screen and identify the potential biomarkers of developmental cervical canal stenosis with Qi deficiency and blood stasis. METHODS:Serum samples were collected from nine patients with developmental cervical canal stenosis with Qi deficiency and blood stasis and eight healthy people.Differentially expressed proteins in serum were screened and identified using isotope relative labeling and absolute quantification combined with liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry.Western blot was used to verify some significant differentially expressed proteins. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:A total of 61 differentially expressed proteins(P<0.05)were identified using tandem mass spectrometry techniques.Compared with the healthy normal population group,14 differentially expressed proteins such as complement component C1q receptor,apolipoprotein A4,and C-C motif chemokine ligand 18 were significantly upregulated,while 47 differentially expressed proteins such as myosin light chain 3,mitochondrial translation elongation factor,and nucleolar phosphoprotein 1 were significantly downregulated.The results of gene ontology enrichment analysis indicated that these differentially expressed proteins might participate in molecular functions such as regulation of chromosomal tissue,mitochondrial membrane tissue,and muscle system processes.Protein-protein interaction network analysis showed that 38 common differential proteins,including complement component C1q receptor,apolipoprotein A4,C-C motif chemokine ligand 18,myosin light chain 3,mitochondrial translation elongation factor,and nucleolar phosphoprotein 1,were located at functional network nodes between healthy normal individuals and those with developmental cervical canal stenosis(Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome),and were closely related to the local energy metabolism of the cervical spine,the production of cervical vertebral osteocytes,and the formation of osteoclasts.The main differentially expressed protein myosin light chain 3 was validated using western blot assay,and the validation results were consistent with the proteomic results.To conclude,the preliminary discovery of differentially expressed proteins in serum between healthy normal individuals and those with developmental cervical canal stenosis(Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome)through absolute quantitative technology combined with liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry technology suggests that myosin light chain 3 may be a specific serum marker for developmental cervical canal stenosis(Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome).

Background: Epithelial ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death among gynecological malignancies. Platinum resistance remains a dilemma and bottleneck in treatment, and salvage chemotherapy has limited effectiveness. Recently, the role of secondary cytoreductive surgery (SCS) in patients with platinum-resistant recurrent ovarian cancer (ROC) has caused attention especially in patients with oligometastases. However, there is neither high-quality evidence-based evidence nor standardized criteria for selecting SCS for patients with platinum-resistant ROC until now. Methods This multicenter, randomized, controlled clinical trial is to evaluate the value of SCS and to clarify reliable criteria of utilizing SCS in women with ROC, which is led by Gynecologic Oncology Group, Women’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine.Recruitment has started on January 1st, 2023, and is scheduled to end in December 2026.One hundred and forty participants with platinum-resistant ROC who meet the “RSCS criteria” will be randomized assigned at a ratio of 1:1 to either the experimental arm or the standard arm. Patients in the experimental arm will receive SCS followed by non-platinum single agent chemotherapy (paclitaxel, gemcitabine or liposomal adriamycin) for at least 4 cycles while patients in the standard arm will be provided with only non-platinum single agent chemotherapy. The primary outcome is progression-free survival. The secondary outcomes are overall survival, adverse events and health-related cancer-specific quality of life.

Objective To investigate the plasma levels of signal peptide-CUB epidermal growth fac-tor domain inclusion protein-1(SCUBE-1),asymmetric dimethylarginine(ADMA)and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-2(IGFBP-2)in elderly patients with acute pulmonary embol-ism(PE)and their relationship with risk stratification and poor prognosis.Methods A total of 117 elderly patients with acute PE admitted to our hospital from January 2022 to December 2023 were retrospectively enrolled in this study.With risk stratification,there were 41 patients of high-risk,46 of medium-risk and 30 of low-risk.According to their clinical outcomes,they were divided into good prognosis group(85 cases)and bad prognosis group(32 cases).The plasma levels of SCUBE-1,ADMA,and IGFBP-2 were measured using ELISA.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was applied to identify the risk factors for poor prognosis,and ROC curves were drawn to analyze the predictive value of plasma levels of SCUBE-1,ADM A and IGFBP-2 for poor prognosis of these patients.Results The levels of cTnI,BNP,D-dimer,SCUBE-1,ADMA and IGFBP-2 were significantly higher in the poor prognosis group than the good prognosis group(0.95±0.28μg/L vs 0.30±0.08 μg/L,2017.62±308.15 μg/L vs 538.14±102.73 μg/L,5.24±1.13 μg/L vs 1.63±0.27 μg/L,22.50±10.14 μg/L vs 9.25±4.36 μg/L,2.01±0.72 μmol/L vs 0.61±0.17μmol/L,468.16±90.51 μg/L vs 155.27±30.74 μg/L,P＜0.01).The high-risk patients had high-er plasma levels of SCUBE-1,ADMA and IGFBP-2 than the medium-and low-risk patients in or-der(all P＜0.01).Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that elevated levels of cTnI,BNP,D-dimer,SCUBE-1,ADMA and IGFBP-2 were risk factors for death in acute PE patients(P＜0.05).ROC curve analysis indicated that the AUC value of SCUBE-1,ADMA and IGFBP-2 combined together in predicting death for acute PE patients was the highest(0.927,95％CI:0.864-0.993),with an accuracy of 93.1％.The plasma levels of SCUBE-1,ADMA and IGFBP-2 were positively correlated with the levels of cTnI,BNP and D-dimer in the elderly patients(P＜0.01).Conclusion For the elderly patients with acute PE,elevated plasma levels of SCUBE-1,ADMA and IGFBP-2 are associated with risk stratification and poor prognosis.Combination of these three indicators has certain predictive value for poor prognosis in the patients.