OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy of acupoint thread-embedding therapy of regulating governor vessel, dispersing lung, and suppressing reflux for gastroesophageal reflux cough (GERC). METHODS: A total of 120 GERC patients were randomly assigned to an observation group (60 cases, 1 case dropped out) and a control group (60 cases, 1 case was eliminated). The observation group received acupoint thread-embedding treatment at positive response points of governor vessel. If no such points were detected, the following acupoints were used: Dazhui (GV14), Fenghu (Extra), Shendao (GV11), Lingtai (GV10), and Zhiyang (GV9). Treatment was administered once every two weeks. The control group received oral rabeprazole enteric capsules at 20 mg twice daily. All the treatment was given for 6 weeks. Clinical outcomes were assessed using cough symptom score, reflux disease questionnaire (RDQ) score, and Leicester cough questionnaire (LCQ) score before and after treatment in the two groups. Clinical efficacy was also compared between the two groups. RESULTS: After treatment, both groups showed decreased cough symptom scores and the each item scores and total scores of RDQ (P<0.001), and increased LCQ scores (P<0.001) compare with those before treatment. The observation group exhibited lower cough symptom score and chest pain, reflux and total score of RDQ, and higher LCQ score compared to those in the control group (P<0.05). The total effective rate in the observation group was 94.9% (56/59), which was higher than 84.7% (50/59) in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Acupoint thread-embedding therapy of regulating governor vessel, dispersing lung, and suppressing reflux could effectively alleviate cough and reflux symptoms in patients with GERC and improve their quality of life.
Humans ; Acupuncture Points ; Gastroesophageal Reflux/physiopathology* ; Male ; Female ; Cough/physiopathology* ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Treatment Outcome ; Lung/physiopathology* ; Meridians

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) combined with lower cervical fracture is often categorized into unstable fracture, with a high incidence of neurological injury and a high rate of disability and morbidity. As factors such as shoulder occlusion may affect the accuracy of X-ray imaging diagnosis, it is often easily misdiagnosed at the primary diagnosis. Non-operative treatment has complications such as bone nonunion and the possibility of secondary neurological damage, while the timing, access and choice of surgical treatment are still controversial. Currently, there are no clinical practice guidelines for the treatment of AS combined with lower cervical fracture with or without dislocation. To this end, the Spinal Trauma Group of Orthopedics Branch of Chinese Medical Doctor Association organized experts to formulate Clinical guidelines for the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis combined with lower cervical fracture in adults ( version 2024) in accordance with the principles of evidence-based medicine, scientificity and practicality, in which 11 recommendations were put forward in terms of the diagnosis, imaging evaluation, typing and treatment, etc, to provide guidance for the diagnosis and treatment of AS combined with lower cervical fracture.

Objective:To explore the reasonable timing of radiotherapy for epidermal growth factor receptor ( EGFR) mutation-positive non-small cell lung cancer patients with brain metastasis in the era of third-generation targeted drugs. Methods:Clinical data of EGFR mutation-positive non-small cell lung cancer patients with brain metastasis who received first-line treatment with third-generation targeted drugs and stereotactic radiotherapy at Shanghai Armed Police Corps Hospital from September 2019 to May 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the timing of radiotherapy before / after targeted drug resistance, all patients were divided into the early and salvage radiotherapy groups. The proportion of brain metastasis, physical fitness, complete response rate, objective response rate, delaying the progression of brain metastasis and overall survival (OS) were compared between two groups. Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis, log-rank test was used for univariate prognostic analysis, and factors with P <0.1 were included in Cox multivariate analysis. Results:A total of 85 patients were included, including 51 (60%) cases receiving early radiotherapy. Patients who participated in early radiotherapy had a higher proportion of symptomatic brain metastasis (82% vs. 56%, P=0.013) and poorer physical fitness (Kanofsky performance score <70: 61% vs. 26%, P=0.002) compared to patients who underwent salvage radiotherapy. Early radiotherapy significantly improved the complete response rate of intracranial lesions (35% vs. 12%, P=0.015) and objective response rate (88% vs. 71%, P=0.041), delayed the progression of brain metastasis (median intracranial progression free survival: 23.0 months vs. 16.0 months, P=0.005; median intracranial secondary progression free survival: 31.0 months vs. 22.0 months, P=0.021), and improved OS (median OS: 44.0 months vs. 35.0 months, P=0.046). In multivariate analysis, diagnosis-specific graded prognostic assessment score <2.5, mutation of EGFR exon 21, and salvage brain radiotherapy were adverse prognostic factors for OS. Conclusion:In the era of third-generation targeted drugs therapy, early involvement of stereotactic radiotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer patients with brain metastasis can bring greater clinical benefits.

Objective:To explore the risk factors of recurrence after resection of thigh soft tissue malignant tumors and the evaluation of the postoperative lower limb function.Methods:A total of 211 patients who underwent thigh soft tissue malignant tumor resection in the Department of Orthopaedics of the second affiliated Hospital of Medical College of Zhejiang University from May 2011 to May 2021 were retrospectively analyzed, including 117 males and 94 females, aged 53 (43, 65) years. There were 59 cases of atypical/well-differentiated liposarcoma, 30 cases of other types of liposarcoma, 33 cases of malignant fibrous histiocytoma, 19 cases of fibrosarcoma, 12 cases of rhabdomyosarcoma, 12 cases of leiomyosarcoma, 9 cases of synovial sarcoma, and 37 cases of others. The tumor involvement of muscle, bone, blood vessel, nerve tissue and intermuscular compartment, postoperative Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) functional score and recurrence were recorded. The relationship between anatomical structure and postoperative recurrence was analyzed by Cox logistic regression to determine risk factors; the cumulative recurrence rate of different compartment groups (medial compartment, anterior compartment, and posterior compartment) were compared; The Box plot was used to compare the postoperative function of patients with resection of different anatomical structures (e.g., vastus lateralis, biceps femoris, femur, etc.).Results:A total of 34 out of 211 patients relapsed, with a recurrence rate of 16.1%. The recurrence time ranged from 2.6 months to 91.6 months after operation, with a median recurrence time of 37.0 (18.2, 52.8) months. Three independent risk factors were found to be associated with recurrence, namely: pathological grade [ HR=3.86, 95% CI(1.75, 8.51)], involvement of vastus intermedius [ HR=3.05, 95% CI(1.53, 6.06)], and involvement of vastus medialis [ HR=3.17, 95% CI(1.56, 6.41)]. The recurrence rate of patients with anterior chamber tumor resection was 35.3%, which was higher than that of patients without tumor resection (16.2%), and the difference was statistically significant ( P=0.020). There was no significant difference in recurrence rate between patients with medial chamber tumor resection and patients without tumor resection ( P>0.05). The recurrence rate of patients with posterior compartment tumor resection was 12.3%, which was lower than that of unresectable patients (37.6%), and the difference was statistically significant ( P=0.002).The postoperative MSTS score of 167 patients averaged 26±3.2 points (9-30 points). After intraoperative resection of part of the femur, vastus intermedius, vastus medialis, and rectus femoris, the patient's function was relatively poor [corresponding median MSTS score: 25 (23, 28), 26 (24 28), 26 (24,28), 26(24, 27)]. Conclusion:The risk factors for local recurrence after resection of thigh soft tissue malignant tumors include: pathological grade of the tumor, and whether the vastus intermedius or vastus medialis is involved. Anterior compartment tumors have a higher recurrence rate after surgery. If the tumor involves the above-mentioned anatomical structures, more attention should be paid to the risk of local recurrence after surgery.

Osteoporotic thoracolumbar fracture in the elderly will seriously reduce their quality of life and life expectancy. For osteoporotic thoracolumbar fracture in the elderly, spinal reconstruction is necessary, which should comprehensively consider factors such as the physical condition, fracture type, clinical characteristics and osteoporosis degree. While there lacks relevant clinical norms or guidelines on selection of spinal reconstruction strategies. In order to standardize the concept of spinal reconstruction for osteoporotic thoracolumbar fracture in the elderly, based on the principles of scientificity, practicality and progressiveness, the authors formulated the Clinical guideline for spinal reconstruction of osteoporotic thoracolumbar fracture in elderly patients ( version 2022), in which suggestions based on evidence of evidence-based medicine were put forward upon 10 important issues related to the fracture classification, non-operative treatment strategies and surgical treatment strategies in spinal reconstruction after osteoporosis thoracolumbar fracture in the elderly, hoping to provide a reference for clinical treatment.

Objective: To study dose-response relationships of fractionated irradiation induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice according to radiological imaging changes of lung. Methods: A total of 8-10 week old-female C57BL6 mice were randomized into different groups for whole thoracic irradiation. The prescribed doses were 0, 2.0, 4.0, 6.0, 7.0, 8.5 Gy per fraction in a total of 5 fractions. CT imaging was performed at 24 weeks post irradiation. The averaged lung density and volume changes were obtained by the three-dimensional segmentation algorithm, and further analyzed in Boltzmann regression modeling. Results: At the endpoint of 24 weeks, the dose-dependent pulmonary radiological alternations were revealed by coronal view of CT images. Translational analysis of fibrosis-related gene-signatures as well as histological collagen stainings further corroborated the radiological findings. According to Boltzmann modeling, the E₅₀ of radiation-induced lung density changes was found to be (30.80±0.80)Gy (adjusted R²=0.97); whereas the E₅₀ for radiation-induced lung volume reduction was determined as (31.31±7.07)Gy (adjusted R²=0.92). Both outcomes indicated a remarkable enhancement of tolerance to normal lung tissues after exposure with 5-fraction versus single fraction scheme. Conclusions The radiation-induced lung density and volume changes depend not only on total dose, but also the number and dose of fractions.

Objective To evaluate the effects of prevention and control measures on coal-burning-borne endemic fluorosis in Shanxi Province, and to provide a scientific basis for further prevention and treatment of the disease. Methods In 2016, 7 diseased counties (cities) were selected in the whole province, three diseased townships were selected in each county(city), and five diseased villages were selected in each diseased township as the investigation sites. The investigation was carried out on the changes of improved stove and correct usage of the improved stove, and the correct drying behavior related to the corn and pepper for human consumption. Children aged 8 to 12 were examined dental fluorosis. In each village, 20 urine samples of 8 to 12 years old children were collected for fluorine determination. Urine fluoride was determined via the fluoride ion selective electrode method, and children dental fluorosis was diagnosed by "Diagnosis of Dental Fluorosis" method (WS/T 208-2011). Results Altogether 105 villages were investigated, including 31 696 households. The rates of the improved stove and the correct usage of the improved stove were 98.46%(31 209/31 696)and 98.80%(30 834/31 209);the correct drying rate related to the corn and pepper for human consumption was 99.97%(31 685/31 696);the dental fluorosis rate of 8 to 12 years old children,and the dental fluorosis index were 5.56%(264/4 751) and 0.13. The urine fluoride content was between 0.15 - 4.33 mg/L and the geometric mean value of fluoride content was 0.72 mg/L. Conclusions The prevention and control effect is obvious on coal-burning-borne endemic fluorosis in Shanxi Province. Disease surveillance,health education,the management and maintenance work of defluoridation stoves are keys in prevention of coal-burning-borne endemic fluorosis.

Objective To evaluate the effect of water improvement projects on drinking-water-borne endemic arsenism in Shanxi Province,to work out and refine sustainable prevention and control strategies.Methods The operating situation of water-improvement projects was investigated and monitored,and the arsenic content in drinking water was determined in drinking-water-borne arseniasis areas,which including 14 monitored sites in 5 countries from 2012 to 2017.The condition of arsenic poisoning in the resident population of the monitored sites was investigated and the arsenic content in the urine of patients was determined.Results Totally 14 monitored sites were already finished water improvement,the rate of water-improvement was 100％.Totally 11 water-improvement projects were monitored,including 7 small-scale water-improvement projects and 4 large-scale water-improvement projects,which all qualified and operated normally from 2012 to 2015.In 2016,one water-improvement project was found with excessive level (＞ 0.01 mg/L) of arsenic in drinking water in Shanyin County,and the other 10 water-improvement projects' arsenic contents were qualified.In 2017,two unqualified large-scale water-improvement projects had water arsenic content over (＞ 0.01 mg/L) in Shanyin County and Ying County,respectively.And the other 9 water-improvement projects were qualified.The detection rates of arsenic poisoning from 2012 to 2017 were 1.36％ (104/7 641),1.57％ (123/7 832),1.61％ (123/7 621),1.53％ (120/7 857),1.28％ (102/7 963) and 1.56％ (124/7 958),respectively,and the differences were not statistically significant (x2 =4.979 9,P ＞0.05).Most patients with arsenic poisoning were mild to moderate patients,accounted for 82.61％ (575/696) and no new case was detected.Conclusions Arsenic poisoning in drinking-water-borne arseniasis areas in Shanxi Province has been controlled.Natural operation of water-improvement projects has kept water arsenic levels normal.Water arsenic content has exceeded the standard in some of the water-improvement projects.The key point of next stage is strengthen the management of water improvement projects in prevention and treatment of drinking-water type endemic arsenism.

Objective: To explore the effect of hematopoietic cytokines IL-11 on invasion and metastasis abilities of anaplastic thyroid cacinoma(ATC) cells. Methods: Real-time PCR was performed for examining the IL-11 mRNA expression in thyroid carcinoma cell lines, and IL-11 protein expression in the supernament of thyroid carcinoma cell lines was detected by ELISA. Molecular cloning was employed to construct IL-11 stable knockdown cell line; MTT assay was used to analyze the effect of IL-11 on the proliferation of ATC cells; Transwell and wound healing assays were employed to analyze the abilities of migration and invasion in ATC cells. Western blotting was used to detect the relative pathway proteins. SPSS statistical package 19.0 was used to analyze the date, and Student′s t test was used for multiple comparisons. Results: The protein level of IL-11 were significantly lower in knock-down cell lines than that in negative control cell lines(21.55±1.69, 16.18±0.85, 26.37±2.00 vs 54.54±3.99, all P<0.05). Colony formation assays reveal that colony number between knock-down cells and negative control cells has no significance(P>0.05). Meanwhile, MTT assays show that there is no significance between knock-down cell lines and negative control cell line(P>0.05). However, Transwell invasion and migration assays show that number of migrated cells is increased when ATC cells were treated with rhIL-11(0-100 ng/ml)at increasing concentrations. Conclusion IL-11 improves the migratory and invasive abilities of ATC cells via inducing EMT of ATC cells, and it can be used as a potential target for ATC molecular targeted therapy.

Objective To master the results of examination and evaluation of coal-burning-borne endemic fluorosis in Shanxi Province,and to provide a scientific basis for further prevention and treatment of the disease.Methods In 2012-2015,the prevention and control situation and condition survey were carried out in all coalburning-borne endemic fluorosis villages of 20 counties in Shanxi Province.A county-level self-inspection and a provincial-level spot-check were conducted to investigate the changes of improved stove and correct usage of the improved stove,and the correct drying of corn and pepper for human consumption.Children aged 8 to 12 were examined for dental fluorosis.The endemic areas were selected according to the Control Standards of Endemic Fluorosis in Endemic Areas (GB 17017-2010) and Eliminating Standards of Coal-burning Type Endemic Fluorosis,and dental fluorosis children was diagnosed based on the Diagnosis of Dental Fluorosis method (WS/T 208-2011).Results Totally 3 371 villages and 716 683 households were investigated,the rates of the improved stove and the correct usage of the improved stove were 98.72％ (707 502/716 683) and 98.74％ (698 608/707 502);the correct drying rate of corn and pepper for human consumption was 99.85％ (715 605/716 683);the dental fluorosis rate of 8 to 12 years old children and the dental fluorosis index were 6.41％ (6 762/105 453) and 0.14.A total of 20 counties in the province,9 counties had reached the control standards,11 counties had reached the elimination standards.Provincial and municipal level checked a total of 57 towns,157 villages,and the results of the overall compliance rate was 87.26％ (137/157).Conclusions The prevention and control effect is obvious on coalburning-borne endemic fluorosis in Shanxi Province.Disease surveillance,health education,the management and maintenance work on defluoridation stoves are keys in control of coal-burning-borne endemic fluorosis.