The relevant laws and regulations regarding the utilization of the deceased as medical research subjects are not yet fully developed in China nowadays. Taking the deceased as research subjects as a starting point， this paper discussed the definition of the deceased and the scope of their interest protection from multiple perspectives. It posited that the scope of interest protection for the deceased encompassed two components： spiritual personality interests and material personality interests represented by the remains. The spiritual personality interests of the deceased included identification information such as name， portrait， reputation， honor， privacy， and personal information， as well as medical and health information. The personal information of the deceased was not directly affected by the individual’s life and death status and remained relatively independent. In terms of ethical review， the research team approached from two perspectives： the remains and the personal information of the deceased. Based on the standard of whether the research subjects involve a human body， research with the remains of the deceased as the medical research subjects was classified as non-clinical research. According to the standard of whether a human body is clinically operated， research with the personal information of the deceased （including medical and health information） as the medical research subjects was recognized as clinical research without human research operation. This approach provided evidence for the application of existing laws and regulations in ethical review and record management. The ethical review of investigator-initiated clinical research conducted in medical and health institutions， as well as the regulatory conditions for exemption from ethical review， were examined. The forms， content， and acquisition of informed consent were summarized， and the risk-benefit characteristics of the research activity were evaluated， with a view to providing a basis for the smooth and compliant implementation of research activities involving the deceased as medical research subjects.

Objective:To explore the correlation between clinical and CT imaging features and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene mutation in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and screening of mutation prediction indicators.Methods:A retrospective case-control study was conducted. The clinical data of 178 NSCLC patients who were confirmed by pathology and underwent pre-treatment chest-enhanced CT scan and EGFR gene mutation testing in General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University from January 2015 to December 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were classified into EGFR mutation-positive and mutation-negative groups based on genetic testing results, and the clinical and CT imaging features were compared between the two groups; the multivariate logistic regression model was used to identify the independent influencing factors for EGFR gene mutation in NSCLC patients.Results:Among 178 NSCLC patients, 115 cases (64.6%) were EGFR gene mutation-positive and 63 cases (35.4%) were mutation-negative. Among the 115 EGFR gene mutation-positive patients, there were 61 cases (53.0%) of exon 19 deletion (19del) mutation, 45 cases (39.1%) of exon 21 L858R mutation, 8 cases (7.0%) of exon 20 mutation, and 1 case (0.9%) of exon 18 mutation. The proportions of female patients [60.0% (69/115) vs. 30.2% (19/63)] and patients with out smoking history [74.8% (86/115) vs. 36.5% (23/63)] in EGFR gene mutation-positive group were higher than those in the mutation-negative group, and the differences were statistically significant (both P < 0.001), while the proportions of patients with different pathological types and clinical stages in the two groups showed no statistically significant differences (both P > 0.05). The median maximum diameter of tumor [ M ( Q1, Q3)] detected by CT in the EGFR gene mutation-positive group was 3.70 (2.90, 4.70) cm, while in the mutation-negative group it was 5.30 (3.40, 6.80) cm, and the difference was statistically significant ( Z = -3.66, P < 0.001). The proportions of patients with air bronchogram [27.8% (32/115) vs. 7.9% (5/63)] and without emphysema [83.5% (96/115) vs. 55.6% (35/63)] in the EGFR gene mutation-positive group were higher than those in the mutation-negative group, and the differences were statistically significant (both P < 0.01). The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that no smoking history (yes vs. no, OR = 0.218, 95% CI: 0.073-0.647), short maximum diameter of tumor detected by CT ( OR = 0.814, 95% CI: 0.676-0.981), air bronchogram (yes vs. no, OR = 5.354, 95% CI: 1.782-16.090), and no emphysema (yes vs. no, OR = 0.289, 95% CI: 0.128-0.653) were independent risk factors for EGFR gene mutation in NSCLC patients (all P < 0.05). Conclusions:Clinical and CT imaging features may relate to EGFR gene mutation status in NSCLC patients, and no smoking history, short maximum diameter of tumor detected by CT, air bronchogram and no emphysema may predict EGFR gene mutation.

Objective To observe value of real-time functional MRI neurofeedback(rtfMRI-NF)for modulating brain activity changes in obese adults.Methods Twenty-two obese adults were prospectively recruited,3-week rtfMRI-NF training intervention was conducted.Barratt impulsivityness scale version 11(BIS-11),three-factor eating questionnaire(TFEQ)and food rating scales were scored before and after intervention,and whole-brain resting state fMRI(rs-fMRI)data were obtained.Clinical scale scores,rs-fMRI regional homogeneity(ReHo)values and amplitude of low frequency fluctuation(ALFF)values were compared before and after intervention.Then brain regions with differences of ReHo and ALFF values before and after intervention were explored,and correlations of values of rs-fMRI data differences and clinical scale score differences were analyzed.Results BIS-11 score,TFEQ emotional eating(TFEQ-EE)score and food rating scales scores decreased,while TFEQ cognitive restraint(TFEQ-CR)scores increased in obese adults after intervention(all P＜0.05).ReHo values in right inferior frontal gyrus,right anterior cingulate and left precuneus increased,while of left middle temporal gyrus decreased(all corrected P＜0.05).ALFF values of left precuneus increased,whereas of left middle occipital gyrus,right superior occipital gyrus,left calcarine fissure and surrounding cortex and left supramarginal and angular gyrus decreased(all corrected P＜0.05).ReHo difference in right anterior cingulate was negatively correlated with BIS-11 scores difference(r=-0.601,P＜0.05),and ALFF difference in left precuneus was negatively correlated with TFEQ-EE difference(r=-0.478,P＜0.05).Conclusion rtfMRI-NF intervention could correct disorder of cerebral functional areas in obese adults and change high-calorie food preference and poor dietary habits.

Objective:To explore the short-term effect of drug-coated balloon angioplasty (DCBA) and common plain old balloon angioplasty (POBA) in the isolated popliteal artery chronic total occlusion (CTO), and to analyze the factors affecting the postoperative primary patency rate.Methods:A retrospective cohort study approach was used in this study. A total of 42 isolated popliteal CTO patients admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical University from January 2020 to June 2022 were divided into two groups according to their different balloons: 24 as POBA group and 18 as DCBA group. The primary patency rate of target lesions, the clinically-driven target lesion revascularization(CD-TLR) rate, amputation and toe amputation rate, and the improvement of ankle-brachial index (ABI) and Rutherford grade at 6 and 12 months after surgery were compared.Measurement data with normal distribution was expressed as xˉ± s and means between two groups were compared using independent samples t-test. The percentage of counting data was calculated, and the rate between groups was compared by χ2 test or Fisher's exact probability method. Kaplan-Meier survival curve method was used to plot the survival curves of primary patency rate and CD-TLR free rate at 12 months after surgery, and Log rank test was used to compare the differences between groups . Univariate log rank test and multivariate Cox regression was used to analyze the factors affecting the primary patency rate at 12 months in patients with isolated popliteal CTO. Results:12 months after surgery, 4 patients in the DCBA group experienced lumen restenosis or occlusion while 12 patients in the POBA group experienced lumen restenosis or occlusion. The cumulative primary patency rate of target lesions in the DCBA group was higher than that in the POBA group (Log-rank χ2=4.03, P=0.045). ABI in the DCBA group at 6 and 12 months was greater than that in the POBA group [(0.91±0.11) vs (0.83±0.09), (0.84±0.11) vs (0.70±0.12), t=2.40, P=0.021, t=3.64 and P=0.001].There were no significant difference in cumulative CD-TLR exemption, amputation and amputation at 12 months, and Rutherford grade at 6 and 12 months for both groups(all P>0.05). The results of univariate analysis showed that DCBA as surgical method, hypertension and coronary heart disease were the influencing factors of the primary patency rate after chronic occlusion of the isolated popliteal artery (all P<0.05). The results of multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated that DCBA as surgical method was a protective factor for primary patency at 12 months (odds ratio =0.31,95% confidence interval: 0.10~0.870., P=0.038), while hypertension was an independent risk factor( OR=5.63,95% confidence interval: 1.54~20.56, P=0.009). Conclusions:The cumulative primary patency rate of target lesions 12 months after isolated popliteal CTO was higher than that of POBA. DCBA as surgical method was a protective factor for primary patency rate 12 months in patients with isolated popliteal CTO, while hypertension was an independent risk factor.

Objective To observe value of real-time functional MRI neurofeedback(rtfMRI-NF)for modulating brain activity changes in obese adults.Methods Twenty-two obese adults were prospectively recruited,3-week rtfMRI-NF training intervention was conducted.Barratt impulsivityness scale version 11(BIS-11),three-factor eating questionnaire(TFEQ)and food rating scales were scored before and after intervention,and whole-brain resting state fMRI(rs-fMRI)data were obtained.Clinical scale scores,rs-fMRI regional homogeneity(ReHo)values and amplitude of low frequency fluctuation(ALFF)values were compared before and after intervention.Then brain regions with differences of ReHo and ALFF values before and after intervention were explored,and correlations of values of rs-fMRI data differences and clinical scale score differences were analyzed.Results BIS-11 score,TFEQ emotional eating(TFEQ-EE)score and food rating scales scores decreased,while TFEQ cognitive restraint(TFEQ-CR)scores increased in obese adults after intervention(all P＜0.05).ReHo values in right inferior frontal gyrus,right anterior cingulate and left precuneus increased,while of left middle temporal gyrus decreased(all corrected P＜0.05).ALFF values of left precuneus increased,whereas of left middle occipital gyrus,right superior occipital gyrus,left calcarine fissure and surrounding cortex and left supramarginal and angular gyrus decreased(all corrected P＜0.05).ReHo difference in right anterior cingulate was negatively correlated with BIS-11 scores difference(r=-0.601,P＜0.05),and ALFF difference in left precuneus was negatively correlated with TFEQ-EE difference(r=-0.478,P＜0.05).Conclusion rtfMRI-NF intervention could correct disorder of cerebral functional areas in obese adults and change high-calorie food preference and poor dietary habits.

Objective:To explore the short-term effect of drug-coated balloon angioplasty (DCBA) and common plain old balloon angioplasty (POBA) in the isolated popliteal artery chronic total occlusion (CTO), and to analyze the factors affecting the postoperative primary patency rate.Methods:A retrospective cohort study approach was used in this study. A total of 42 isolated popliteal CTO patients admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical University from January 2020 to June 2022 were divided into two groups according to their different balloons: 24 as POBA group and 18 as DCBA group. The primary patency rate of target lesions, the clinically-driven target lesion revascularization(CD-TLR) rate, amputation and toe amputation rate, and the improvement of ankle-brachial index (ABI) and Rutherford grade at 6 and 12 months after surgery were compared.Measurement data with normal distribution was expressed as xˉ± s and means between two groups were compared using independent samples t-test. The percentage of counting data was calculated, and the rate between groups was compared by χ2 test or Fisher's exact probability method. Kaplan-Meier survival curve method was used to plot the survival curves of primary patency rate and CD-TLR free rate at 12 months after surgery, and Log rank test was used to compare the differences between groups . Univariate log rank test and multivariate Cox regression was used to analyze the factors affecting the primary patency rate at 12 months in patients with isolated popliteal CTO. Results:12 months after surgery, 4 patients in the DCBA group experienced lumen restenosis or occlusion while 12 patients in the POBA group experienced lumen restenosis or occlusion. The cumulative primary patency rate of target lesions in the DCBA group was higher than that in the POBA group (Log-rank χ2=4.03, P=0.045). ABI in the DCBA group at 6 and 12 months was greater than that in the POBA group [(0.91±0.11) vs (0.83±0.09), (0.84±0.11) vs (0.70±0.12), t=2.40, P=0.021, t=3.64 and P=0.001].There were no significant difference in cumulative CD-TLR exemption, amputation and amputation at 12 months, and Rutherford grade at 6 and 12 months for both groups(all P>0.05). The results of univariate analysis showed that DCBA as surgical method, hypertension and coronary heart disease were the influencing factors of the primary patency rate after chronic occlusion of the isolated popliteal artery (all P<0.05). The results of multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated that DCBA as surgical method was a protective factor for primary patency at 12 months (odds ratio =0.31,95% confidence interval: 0.10~0.870., P=0.038), while hypertension was an independent risk factor( OR=5.63,95% confidence interval: 1.54~20.56, P=0.009). Conclusions:The cumulative primary patency rate of target lesions 12 months after isolated popliteal CTO was higher than that of POBA. DCBA as surgical method was a protective factor for primary patency rate 12 months in patients with isolated popliteal CTO, while hypertension was an independent risk factor.

Objective:To explore the correlation between clinical and CT imaging features and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene mutation in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and screening of mutation prediction indicators.Methods:A retrospective case-control study was conducted. The clinical data of 178 NSCLC patients who were confirmed by pathology and underwent pre-treatment chest-enhanced CT scan and EGFR gene mutation testing in General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University from January 2015 to December 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were classified into EGFR mutation-positive and mutation-negative groups based on genetic testing results, and the clinical and CT imaging features were compared between the two groups; the multivariate logistic regression model was used to identify the independent influencing factors for EGFR gene mutation in NSCLC patients.Results:Among 178 NSCLC patients, 115 cases (64.6%) were EGFR gene mutation-positive and 63 cases (35.4%) were mutation-negative. Among the 115 EGFR gene mutation-positive patients, there were 61 cases (53.0%) of exon 19 deletion (19del) mutation, 45 cases (39.1%) of exon 21 L858R mutation, 8 cases (7.0%) of exon 20 mutation, and 1 case (0.9%) of exon 18 mutation. The proportions of female patients [60.0% (69/115) vs. 30.2% (19/63)] and patients with out smoking history [74.8% (86/115) vs. 36.5% (23/63)] in EGFR gene mutation-positive group were higher than those in the mutation-negative group, and the differences were statistically significant (both P < 0.001), while the proportions of patients with different pathological types and clinical stages in the two groups showed no statistically significant differences (both P > 0.05). The median maximum diameter of tumor [ M ( Q1, Q3)] detected by CT in the EGFR gene mutation-positive group was 3.70 (2.90, 4.70) cm, while in the mutation-negative group it was 5.30 (3.40, 6.80) cm, and the difference was statistically significant ( Z = -3.66, P < 0.001). The proportions of patients with air bronchogram [27.8% (32/115) vs. 7.9% (5/63)] and without emphysema [83.5% (96/115) vs. 55.6% (35/63)] in the EGFR gene mutation-positive group were higher than those in the mutation-negative group, and the differences were statistically significant (both P < 0.01). The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that no smoking history (yes vs. no, OR = 0.218, 95% CI: 0.073-0.647), short maximum diameter of tumor detected by CT ( OR = 0.814, 95% CI: 0.676-0.981), air bronchogram (yes vs. no, OR = 5.354, 95% CI: 1.782-16.090), and no emphysema (yes vs. no, OR = 0.289, 95% CI: 0.128-0.653) were independent risk factors for EGFR gene mutation in NSCLC patients (all P < 0.05). Conclusions:Clinical and CT imaging features may relate to EGFR gene mutation status in NSCLC patients, and no smoking history, short maximum diameter of tumor detected by CT, air bronchogram and no emphysema may predict EGFR gene mutation.

Objective To analyze the correlation between inflammation,nutritional indicators and hy-poproteinemia in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(AECOPD).Meth-ods The clinical data of patients with AECOPD admitted to the Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine of the First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University from January 2020 to September 2022 were ret-rospectively analyzed,and the patients were divided into the hypoproteinemia group(n=73)and the non-hy-poproteinemia group(n=141)according to whether the serum albumin(ALB)was lower than 35 g/L.The clinical data,inflammatory indicators and nutritional indicators of the two groups were compared,Spearman correlation analysis was performed,and binary logistic regression analysis was performed to analyze the influ-encing factors of patients with AECOPD complicated with hypoproteinemia.Results There were statistically significant differences in age,length of hospital stay,and body weight between the two groups(P＜0.05).There were no significant differences in gender,number of hospitalizations in the past 1 year,height,diabetes,hypertension and proportion of coronary heart disease(P＞0.05).Compared with the non-hypoproteinemia group,the hypoproteinemia group had longer hospital stays and higher levels of C-reactive protein,neutrophil/albumin ratio(NAR),neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio(NLR),platelet-lymphocyte ratio(PLR),and systemic immunoinflammatory index(SII).The prognostic nutritional index(PNI),body mass index(BMI),hemoglo-bin and total protein levels were lower,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).Body weight,BMI,hemoglobin,total protein,PNI and AECOPD patients with hypoproteinemia were negatively cor-related(P＜0.05),while age,length of hospital stay,C-reactive protein,NAR,NLR,PLR,SII and AECOPD patients with hypoproteinemia were positively correlated(P＜0.05).Binary logistic regression analysis showed that PNI,SII and NLR were the influencing factors of hypoproteinemia in AECOPD patients.Conclusion In clinical practice,attention should be paid to and timely correction of hypoproteinemia in pa-tients with AECOPD,improvement of inflammatory indicators and nutritional status of patients,and preven-tion of acute exacerbation.

Objective:To analyze the association between visceral fat area (VFA) and fatty liver based on quantitative CT (QCT) in people receiving health examination with normal body mass index (BMI).Methods:A cross-sectional study. A total of 1 305 physical examiners who underwent chest CT and QCT examination in the Department of Health Management of Henan Provincial People′s Hospital from January to December 2021 were retrospectively selected as subjects. The physical components at the central level of the lumbar two cone were measured with QCT, including subcutaneous fat area (SFA), VFA and liver fat content (LFC). And the metabolic indexes, such as blood lipids and blood glucose, were collected. The t-test and χ2 test were used to analyze the correlation between the detection rate of fatty live and LFCr and age and gender. According to level of VFA (<100 cm 2, 100-150 cm 2 and≥150 cm 2), the subjects were divided into three groups, and one-way ANOVA and χ2 test were used in comparison between groups. Multiple linear regression was used to analyze the correlation between VFA and metabolic indexes and LFC. Results:Of the 1 305 subjects, there were 634 males and 671 females. The detection rate of fatty liver in normal BMI population was 65.67%, and it was 72.71% and 59.02% respectively in men and women ( χ2=27.12, P<0.001), and the detection rate of fatty liver and LFC increased with age (both P<0.05). With the increase of VFA, the age, BMI, SFA, LFC, total cholesterol (TC), triacylglycerol (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), fasting blood glucose (FBG), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), blood uric acid and prevalence of fatty liver increased (all P<0.05), and the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) decreased ( P<0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that after adjustment for age factors, regardless of male or female, LFC was independently positively related with VFA, BMI, and ALT (male β=0.206, 0.145, 0.174, female β=0.194, 0.150, 0.184; all P<0.05). FBG was positively correlated with male independently ( β=0.134; P<0.001). The indicators related to female independently were TC, TG, and blood uric acid ( β=-0.121, 0.145, 0.141, all P<0.05) Conclusion:In the population receiving health examination with normal BMI, the VFA measured by QCT technique is closely related to fatty liver.

Objective:To analyze the correlation between body fat distribution measured by quantitative CT (QCT) and body mass index in adults receiving physical examination.Methods:It was a cross-sectional study. From January to December 2021, 3 205 adults undergoing physical examination who met the inclusion criteria and underwent chest CT and QCT examination in the health management discipline of Henan Provincial People′s Hospital were selected as the research objects. The general data were collected; and the subcutaneous fat area, visceral fat area, total abdominal fat area, liver fat content, abdominal obesity and fatty liver detection rate were measured by QCT. According to body mass index, the subjects were divided into normal group (18.5-<24.0 kg/m 2, 1 343 cases), overweight group (24.0-<28.0 kg/m 2, 1 427 cases) and obesity group (≥28.0 kg/m 2, 435 cases). One-way analysis of variance and χ2 test were used to compare the differences of QCT indexes among the three groups. Pearson and Spearman correlation analysis were used to evaluate the correlation between QCT indexes and body mass index. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was drawn to analyze the diagnostic effect of QCT on obesity and fatty liver. Results:Subcutaneous fat area, visceral fat area, total abdominal fat area, liver fat content, abdominal obesity and fatty liver detection rate in obese group were all significantly higher than those in overweight group and normal group [males, (147.60±46.44) vs (104.33±27.68), (73.46±22.65) cm 2; (297.46±54.70) vs (229.40±53.12), (159.57±49.68) cm 2; (445.06±70.24) vs (333.73±62.91), (233.02±61.87) cm 2; 11.30% (7.90%, 15.55%) vs 8.75% (6.50%, 11.70%), 6.60% (4.80%, 8.70%); 100.0% vs 96.0%, 64.0%; 92.9% vs 86.7%, 73.3%; females, (213.96±48.61) vs (155.85±35.31), (107.24±31.01) cm 2; (185.41±43.88) vs (142.48±41.75), (96.56±36.50) cm 2; (399.37±68.07) vs (298.33±56.86), (203.80±57.53) cm 2; 9.80% (6.90%, 13.30%) vs 7.30% (5.05%, 9.80%), 5.40%(3.50%, 7.20%); 96.4% vs 74.8%, 28.9%; 87.3% vs 75.6%, 56.5%], and were all positively correlated with body mass index (males, r/ rs=0.709, 0.738, 0.831, 0.402, 0.464, 0.225; females, r/ rs=0.798, 0.695, 0.841, 0.416, 0.605, 0.276) (all P<0.001). In both male and female subjects, the detection rates of obesity based on QCT were significantly higher than those based on body mass index (male, 86.9% vs 16.6%; female, 49.3% vs 8.9%), and the detection rates of fatty liver based on QCT were significantly higher than those based on ultrasound (male, 83.6% vs 57.1%; female, 65.2% vs 27.6%) (all P<0.001). ROC curve showed that when the visceral fat area of 142 cm 2 was used as the cut-off value for the diagnosis of obesity in male subjects, the sensitivity and specificity was 100% and 15.8%, respectively; and when the cut-off value of liver fat content 5.0% was used to diagnose fatty liver, the sensitivity and specificity was 88.9% and 25.1%, respectively. When the visceral fat area of 115 cm 2 was set as the cut-off value for the diagnosis of obesity in female subjects, the sensitivity and specificity was 96.4% and 55.3%, respectively; when the liver fat content of 5.0% was set as the cut-off value for the diagnosis of fatty liver, the sensitivity and specificity was 83.7% and 43.2%, respectively. Conclusions:The indexes of abdominal fat and liver fat measured by QCT in adults receiving physical examination are all positively correlated with body mass index. The effect of QCT in the diagnosis of obesity and fatty liver are both better than body mass index and ultrasound.