BACKGROUND:Degenerative scoliosis is defined as a condition that occurs in adulthood with a coronal cobb angle of the spine>10° accompanied by sagittal deformity and rotational subluxation,which often produces symptoms of spinal cord and nerve compression,such as lumbar pain,lower limb pain,numbness,weakness,and neurogenic claudication.The finite element method is a mechanical analysis technique for computer modelling,which can be used for spinal mechanics research by building digital models that can realistically restore the human spine model and design modifications. OBJECTIVE:To review the application of finite element method in the etiology and treatment of degenerative scoliosis. METHODS:The literature databases CNKI,PubMed,and Web of Science were searched for articles on the application of finite element method in degenerative scoliosis published before October 2023.Search terms were"finite element analysis,biomechanics,stress analysis,degenerative scoliosis,adult spinal deformity"in Chinese and English.Fifty-four papers were finally included. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The biomechanical findings from the degenerative scoliosis model constructed using the finite element method were identical to those from the in vivo experimental studies,which proves that the finite element method has a high practical value in degenerative scoliosis.(2)The study of the etiology and treatment of degenerative scoliosis by the finite element method is conducive to the prevention of the occurrence of the scoliosis,slowing down the progress of the scoliosis,the development of a more appropriate treatment plan,the reduction of complications,and the promotion of the patients'surgical operation.(3)The finite element method has gradually evolved from a single bony structure to the inclusion of soft tissues such as muscle ligaments,and the small sample content is increasingly unable to meet the research needs.(4)The finite element method has much room for exploration in degenerative scoliosis.

Objective:To study the relationship between urinary arsenic methylation metabolism patterns and skin keratinization and pigmentation abnormalities in population exposed to arsenic through drinking water.Methods:Using a cross-sectional study method, a survey on endemic arsenic poisoning was conducted among permanent residents of drinking water endemic arsenic poisoning areas in Bayannur City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in 2004 (before water improvement). In 2017 (after water improvement), 71 arsenic exposed individuals were followed up as survey subjects. According to the "Diagnosis of Endemic Arsenism" (WS/T 211-2015), the clinical grading of skin injuries (skin keratinization, pigmentation abnormalities) in the survey subjects was evaluated. Urine samples were collected for detection of arsenic methylation metabolite levels by high-performance liquid chromatography inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and calibrated with urinary creatinine. The changes and amplitudes of urinary arsenic methylation indicators before and after water improvement were calculated and analyzed according to the outcome of skin keratinization and pigmentation abnormalities which were divided into reduced, unchanged, and added groups.Results:(1) The changes in urinary total arsenic (TAs), inorganic arsenic (iAs), monomethyl arsenic (MMA), and dimethyl arsenic (DMA) levels in different outcome groups of skin keratinization were compared, and the differences were statistically significant ( H = 9.08, 8.77, 9.28, 8.57, P < 0.05). The changes in urinary TAs, iAs, MMA, DMA levels, iAs percentage (iAs%), DMA percentage (DMA%), and primary methylation index (PMI) in different outcome groups of skin pigmentation abnormalities were compared, and the differences were statistically significant ( H = 8.04, 10.67, 8.29, 9.14, 6.30, 9.10, 7.20, P < 0.05). (2) The comparison of amplitudes in urinary TAs, iAs, MMA, and DMA levels in different outcome groups of skin keratinization showed statistically significant differences ( H = 6.92, 7.34, 6.66, 6.16, P < 0.05). The amplitudes in urinary iAs level, iAs%, DMA%, and PMI in different outcome groups of skin pigmentation abnormalities were compared, and the differences were statistically significant ( H = 7.94, 7.61, 9.95, 7.22, P < 0.05). Conclusion:The changes pattern of urinary TAs, iAs, MMA, DMA, iAs%, DMA%, and PMI in population exposed to arsenic through drinking water is related to the transformation of skin keratinization and pigmentation abnormalities.

Objective:To study the relationship between the levels of multiple elements in urine and the risk of arsenic poisoning in populations exposed to drinking water arsenic in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region (Inner Mongolia).Methods:From April 2023 to January 2024, a case-control study method was used to select 128 individuals with a residence time of ≥10 years in drinking water arsenic exposed areas in Inner Mongolia as study subjects. Eighty-one individuals diagnosed with arsenic poisoning were selected as the case group, and 47 healthy individuals were selected as the control group for urine sample collection and questionnaire survey. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was employed to determine the levels of 10 elements (chromium, manganese, cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, arsenic, molybdenum, cadmium and lead) in urine. The levels of each element in urine were divided into four groups ( Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4 groups) based on quartiles. The associations between the levels of various elements in urine and the risk of arsenic poisoning were studied using binary logistic regression model and restricted cubic spline (RCS). Results:The age of the control group and the case group [ M ( Q1, Q3)] were 61 (53, 69) and 61 (56, 67) years old, respectively. There were 19 and 43 males, and 28 and 38 females, respectively. There was no statistically significant differences in age and and gender composition between the two groups ( Z = - 0.39, P = 0.700; χ 2 = 1.91, P = 0.167). The levels of urinary copper and cadmium of the case group were higher than those of the control group, and the differences were statistically significant ( Z = - 2.66, - 2.16, P < 0.05). The results of univariate logistic regression analysis showed that urinary copper was an influencing factor for arsenic poisoning ( P = 0.017). The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that after adjusting for covariates, urinary copper and arsenic were independent influencing factors of arsenic poisoning ( P < 0.05). Taking Q1 group as a reference, urinary copper in Q3 group [ OR (95% CI) = 8.23 (1.81, 37.39), P = 0.006] increased the risk of arsenic poisoning, while urinary arsenic in Q2, Q3, and Q4 groups [ OR (95% CI) = 0.24 (0.06, 0.92), 0.12 (0.03, 0.53), 0.15 (0.04, 0.63), P < 0.05] decreased the risk of arsenic poisoning. After adjusting for covariates, RCS did not show a dose-response relationship between urinary copper, urinary arsenic, and arsenic poisoning ( P > 0.05). Conclusion:Urinary arsenic and copper are associated with the risk of arsenic poisoning in the drinking water arsenic exposed areas of Inner Mongolia, copper exposure may contribute significantly to arsenic poisoning.

Objective:To investigate the completion rate of tumor evaluation at initial assessment and after neoadjuvant therapy for mid and low rectal cancer patients in the national multicenter real-world database.Methods:The prospective real-world study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 1 074 patients who underwent surgical treatment for mid and low rectal cancer in 47 national medical institutions, including Peking Union Medical College Hospital et al, from May 12,2023 to May 11,2024 were collected. Observation indicators: (1) clinical characteristics of patients with mid and low rectal cancer; (2) initial colonoscopy and pathologic evaluation of tumors in patients with mid and low rectal cancer; (3) initial imaging evaluation of patients with mid and low rectal cancer; (4) imaging evaluation after neoadjuvant therapy for patients with mid and low rectal cancer. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean± SD, and measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M( Q1, Q3). Count data were described as absoluter numbers and/or percentages. Results:(1) Clinical characteristics of patients with mid and low rectal cancer. Of the 1 074 patients, there were 713 males and 361 females, aged 63(56,70)years. The body mass index of 1 074 patients was 24(21,26)kg/m 2.For American Society of Anesthesiologists classification, there were 147 cases of stage Ⅰ, 641 cases of stage Ⅱ, 157 cases of stage Ⅲ, 2 cases of stage Ⅳ, and there were 127 cases missing data. (2) Initial colonoscopy and pathologic evaluation of tumors in patients with mid and low rectal cancer. Of the 1 074 patients, there were 787 cases (73.28%) undergoing complete colonoscopy, and there were only 197 cases (18.34%) undergoing immunohistochemical evaluation of all four mismatch repair proteins. (3) Initial imaging evaluation of patients with mid and low rectal cancer. Of the 1 074 patients, there were 842(78.40%) patients completing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or ultrasound evaluation, and there were 914(85.10%) patients completing chest, abdomen, and pelvis enhanced computed tomography (CT) evaluation. In the 149 patients completing rectal ultrasound evaluation, there were 122 cases (81.88%) comple-ting T staging evaluation, and there were 81 cases (54.36%) completing N staging evaluation. In the 808 patients completing rectal MRI evaluation, there were 708 cases (87.62%) completing T staging evaluation, and there were 590 cases (73.02%) completing N staging evaluation. (4) Imaging evalua-tion after neoadjuvant therapy for patients with mid and low rectal cancer. Of the 388 patients with neoadjuvant therapy, there were 332 patients (85.57%) completing MRI or ultrasound evaluation, and there were 327 patients (84.28%) completing chest, abdomen, and pelvis enhanced CT evalua-tion. In the 70 patients completing rectal ultrasound evaluation, there were 65 cases (92.86%) com-pleting T staging evaluation, and there were 49 cases (70.00%) completing N staging evaluation. In the 327 patients completing rectal MRI evaluation, there were 246 cases (75.23%) completing T staging, and there were 228 cases (69.72%) completing N staging evaluation. Conclusion:The com-pletion rate of tumor imaging evaluation at initial assessment and after neoadjuvant therapy for mid and low rectal cancer patients on a national scale is relatively good.

We aimed to explore the value of personalized narrative intervention in the nursing care of elderly patients with stroke hemiplegia(SH).A total of 68 elderly patients with SH were selected and divided into two groups using the ball-rolling method,with 34 cases in each group.The control group received routine nursing care,while the observation group received routine care and personalized narrative nursing.The nursing outcomes of the two groups were compared.Compared with the control group,the observation group had lower scores in anxiety and depression(P<0.05),and higher scores in the Functional Evaluation of Cognitive State-Short Screening(FECS-SS)(P<0.05).The rehabilitation effects of normal rate in the observation group was higher than that in the control group(P<0.05).Personalized narrative nursing for SH patients can effectively relieve the patients'negative emotions,enhance their compliance with rehabilitation,and improve the outcomes of rehabilitation.

[Purpose]To analyze the lifetime risk of developing and dying from lung cancer at global and regional levels.[Methods]Data of lung cancer incidence and mortality were obtained from GLOBOCAN 2022 and the population and all-cause mortality data were obtained from the United Nations.The lifetime risk of developing and dying from lung cancer globally and across different regions was estimated by multiple primary adjustment method.[Results]The global lifetime risk of developing lung cancer was 3.59％[95％confidence interval(CI):3.58％～3.59％],ranking third among all cancer types.There were significant gender and regional differences in lifetime risk values.The risk for male was 4.43％(95％CI:4.42％～4.44％),which was higher than that for female(2.71％,95％CI:2.70％～2.72％),with a male-to-female ratio of 1.63.Among regions with varying human development index(HDI)levels,the risk increased with HDI levels,in very high HDI re-gions risk was 5.36％(95％CI:5.34％～5.37％),while in low HDI regions the risk was 0.34％(95％CI:0.33％～0.34％).Among the 20 global regions,East Asia had the highest lifetime risk of 7.53％(95％CI:7.52％～7.55％),while West Africa had the lowest risk of 0.16％(95％CI:0.16％～0.17％).The global lifetime risk of dying from lung cancer was 2.78％(95％CI:2.78％～2.78％),ranking the first among all cancer types.There were significant sex and regional differ-ences in lifetime death risk values.The risk for male was 3.64％(95％CI:3.63％～3.64％),which was higher than that for female(1.89％,95％CI:1.89％～1.90％),with a male-to-female ratio of 1.93.Among regions with varying HDI levels,the risk increased with HDI levels,in very high HDI re-gions the risk was 3.98％(95％CI:3.97％～3.99％),while in low HDI regions the risk was 0.31％(95％CI:0.31％～0.31％).Among the 20 global regions,the Federated States of Micronesia/Poly-nesia had the highest death risk of 5.80％(95％CI:4.98％～6.62％),while West Africa had the lowest risk of 0.15％(95％CI:0.15％～0.16％).The lifetime risk of developing and dying from lung cancer in China was 7.54％(95％CI:7.52％～7.56％)and 5.88％(95％CI:5.87％～5.90％),respec-tively,both ranking the first among all cancer types.[Conclusion]The lifetime risk of developing and dying from lung cancer remains high globally and across different regions,with a particularly heavy burden in high-HDI areas.In China,both the lifetime risk of developing and dying from lung cancer are higher than the global average.This highlights the need for continued enhance-ment of comprehensive prevention and control measures,including addressing lung cancer-related risk factors,as well as improving screening,early diagnosis,and treatment efforts to reduce the lung cancer burden.

[Purpose]To analyze the lifetime risk of developing and dying from lung cancer at global and regional levels.[Methods]Data of lung cancer incidence and mortality were obtained from GLOBOCAN 2022 and the population and all-cause mortality data were obtained from the United Nations.The lifetime risk of developing and dying from lung cancer globally and across different regions was estimated by multiple primary adjustment method.[Results]The global lifetime risk of developing lung cancer was 3.59％[95％confidence interval(CI):3.58％～3.59％],ranking third among all cancer types.There were significant gender and regional differences in lifetime risk values.The risk for male was 4.43％(95％CI:4.42％～4.44％),which was higher than that for female(2.71％,95％CI:2.70％～2.72％),with a male-to-female ratio of 1.63.Among regions with varying human development index(HDI)levels,the risk increased with HDI levels,in very high HDI re-gions risk was 5.36％(95％CI:5.34％～5.37％),while in low HDI regions the risk was 0.34％(95％CI:0.33％～0.34％).Among the 20 global regions,East Asia had the highest lifetime risk of 7.53％(95％CI:7.52％～7.55％),while West Africa had the lowest risk of 0.16％(95％CI:0.16％～0.17％).The global lifetime risk of dying from lung cancer was 2.78％(95％CI:2.78％～2.78％),ranking the first among all cancer types.There were significant sex and regional differ-ences in lifetime death risk values.The risk for male was 3.64％(95％CI:3.63％～3.64％),which was higher than that for female(1.89％,95％CI:1.89％～1.90％),with a male-to-female ratio of 1.93.Among regions with varying HDI levels,the risk increased with HDI levels,in very high HDI re-gions the risk was 3.98％(95％CI:3.97％～3.99％),while in low HDI regions the risk was 0.31％(95％CI:0.31％～0.31％).Among the 20 global regions,the Federated States of Micronesia/Poly-nesia had the highest death risk of 5.80％(95％CI:4.98％～6.62％),while West Africa had the lowest risk of 0.15％(95％CI:0.15％～0.16％).The lifetime risk of developing and dying from lung cancer in China was 7.54％(95％CI:7.52％～7.56％)and 5.88％(95％CI:5.87％～5.90％),respec-tively,both ranking the first among all cancer types.[Conclusion]The lifetime risk of developing and dying from lung cancer remains high globally and across different regions,with a particularly heavy burden in high-HDI areas.In China,both the lifetime risk of developing and dying from lung cancer are higher than the global average.This highlights the need for continued enhance-ment of comprehensive prevention and control measures,including addressing lung cancer-related risk factors,as well as improving screening,early diagnosis,and treatment efforts to reduce the lung cancer burden.

Objective:This study investigated the expression level of phosphatidylserine-specific phospholipase A1(PLA1A)in colorectal can-cer(CRC)and analyzed its correlations with clinicopathological features,prognosis,and immune infiltration.Methods:The expression level of PLA1A in CRC was screened,and the influence of this expression level on patient prognosis was analyzed using bioinformatics methods.A cohort of 192 patients diagnosed with CRC at Shanxi Province Cancer Hospital from January to December 2020 were selected.The PLA1A ex-pression level in those with CRC was determined using immunohistochemistry(IHC)and real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR(RT-qPCR).The relationship between PLA1A level and the clinicopathological features of the patients with CRC was analyzed using the chi-square test.The expression levels of immune cell markers CD4 and CD8 as well as immunosuppressive checkpoints PD-1,TIM-3,and CTLA-4 in CRC were detected via IHC,and their correlations with PLA1A level were analyzed using the chi-square test.Results:The results of bioinformatics analysis showed that the expression level of PLA1A in CRC tissue was higher than paracancerous tissue,which correlated with overall surviv-al(OS)(P<0.05).The IHC and RT-qPCR results showed that PLA1A expression level was significantly upregulated in CRC tissiue(P<0.05).High PLA1A level was closely associated with the TNM stage,degree of differentiation,and lymph node metastasis(P<0.05).The IHC results demonstrated that PLA1A positively correlated with the infiltrating CD8+T cell level(P<0.05).In addition,the elevated PLA1A levels upregu-lated the expressions of immunosuppressive checkpoints PD-1,TIM-3,and CTLA-4(P<0.05).Conclusions:PLA1A is highly expressed in CRC,which is closely related to immune infiltrating cells and immunosuppressive checkpoints,suggesting that PLA1A plays an important role in immune infiltration in CRC,a finding that provides guidance in the treatment of CRC.

Objective:To propose a novel radiotherapy marking method-the"#"-character method,which aimed at improving the accuracy and repeatability of positioning during radiotherapy.Methods:A specially"cross-shaped"stamp was designed by this study,which consisted of a handheld square base with a"cross-shaped"protrusion.Using this stamp,the extreme positions of end-expiration and end-inspiration were marked respectively at the laser-guided regions on the directly above and bilateral sides of the patient's body,and each position was printed a"+"character.Finally,a"#-shaped"signal was formed,which represented the full range of respiratory motion of patients.The study included two parts:surface displacement caused by respiration was simulated through a three-dimensional(3D)motion platform,which was used to conduct a phantom experiment for anthropomorphic dummy,A randomized controlled study involving 40 patients,who were treated between January and June 2024 at the Department of Radiotherapy,Cancer Hospital,Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences,were conducted.The cohort included 20 patients with breast tumor(Positioning the outer contour by exposing the chest)and 20 patients with thoracic tumor(fixed position of using thermoplastic film).These patients were divided into two groups for comparison,which received respectively the"#-shaped"method and the conventional"+-shaped"method.The cone-beam computed tomography(CBCT)images before treatment were used to compare the influences of the two kinds of marking methods on the positioning errors of patients with breast tumor and patients with thoracic tumor.Then,the statistical analysis was used to assess precision and accuracy of positioning.Results:The result of phantom experiment indicated that the positioning error of the"#-shaped"method was significantly better than that of the"+-shaped"method under various parameters of respiratory movement.Under three kinds of different respiratory cycles(3,4,and 5 seconds)and amplitudes(8,12,and 15 mm),the positioning errors of the"#-shaped"method were respectively(0.15±0.04)cm,(0.19±0.05)cm and(0.35±0.14)cm,while the"+-shaped"method were respectively(0.42±0.16)cm,(0.64±0.28)cm and(0.88±0.37)cm,and the differences were statistically significant(t=8.347,3.416,2.901,P<0.05).The results of actual patients indicated the positioning error[(0.97±0.32)cm]of the"#-shaped"method was significantly lower than[(1.62±0.47)cm]of the"+-shaped"method for patients with breast tumor(Positioning the outer contour by exposing the chest),and the difference was significant(t=3.615,P<0.05).On the other hand,the positioning error[(0.69±0.24)cm]of the"#-shaped"method was significantly lower than[(0.97±0.39)cm]of the"+-shaped"method for patients with thoracic tumor(fixed position of using thermoplastic film),and the difference also was significant(t=1.934,P<0.05).Conclusion:Compared to the conventional"+-shaped"method,the"#-shaped"method appears higher accuracy and repeatability during the positioning process of radiotherapy,which especially is suitable to the treatment for breast tumor and thoracic tumor that need accurately control the influences of respiratory motion.

This study was aimed at analyzing the biotypes and genetic diversity characteristics of five non-major Brucella species,to provide a scientific basis for understanding the species diversity of Brucella and strengthening pathogen monitoring and control.According to the biotypes(species,hosts,isolation locations,and time)and MLVA-16 genotypes(MLVA-16 lo-cus data,MLVA-11 genotypes)of five non-major pathogenic Brucella in the international MLVA database,we used Bionu-merics 8.0 software and PHYLOVIZ2.0 online software to analyze the geographical origin and genetic diversity characteristics of strains.A total of 227 strains were studied,including 121 Brucella ceti,47 B.pinnipedialis,37 Brucella ovis,11 B.mi-croti,and Brucella neotomae.The greatest host diversity was observed for B.ceti,followed by B.pinnipedialis and B.mi-croti.B.ceti was distributed in European and South American countries;B.pinnipedialiswas distributed in Europe;and B.microti.was distributed in the Czech Republic,Austria,and Hungary in Central Europe.B.ovis was widely distributed in Af-rica,Argentina,Australia,Brazil,Greece,the United States,Spain,and France.The MLVA-11 genotypes of different types of Brucella showed high polymorphism and large differences,thus suggesting that the strains have different geographical ori-gins.MST analysis indicated that the studied strains were divided into four branches(BCⅠ-Ⅳ),among which B.ceti was di-vided into two different branches(BC-Ⅰ and BC-Ⅱ),the strains of other types formed different branches(or sub-branches),and the strains of different types showed clear regional and dominant host characteristics.Genetic correlation analysis of strains of the Brucella genus revealed that non-major pathogenic Brucella had clear genetic,distribution,and host spectrum differ-ences with respect to four classical pathogenic Brucella species.Five non-major pathogenic Brucella strains presented unique genetic evolutionary patterns,geographical distributions,and host tropism characteristics,thereby providing new insight for understanding the biological and genetic diversity of those Brucella strains.