Objective To observe the effect of energy CT and color mapping to optimize displaying of ossification after lumbar interbody fusion.Methods A total of 76 patients who underwent lumbar fusion were retrospectively enrolled.According to the way of rescanning CT,the patients were divided into energy CT group(n=30)and traditional CT group(n=46).Subjective scoring of imaging quality of both groups on anatomic details,i.e.ossification of bone graft particles in the interbody fusion zone,cancellous bone growth near the endplate in the vertebral body,bone bridge connecting the interface between the fusion zone and the endplate in the vertebral body,as well as image artifacts were performed using a five-point scale.The image noise(SD value),and radiation dose represented by dose length product(DLP)were measured and compared between groups.Results Compared with traditional CT group,energy CT group had elevated subjective scores for anatomical details(4.50[4.28,4.50]vs.3.80[3.50,4.00])and image artifacts(4.30[4.00,4.50]vs.3.60[3.50,4.00]),while significantly lower SD value(37.22[34.90,38.85]HU vs.57.50[53.30,68.59]HU)and DLP(255.28[177.57,321.26]mGy·cm vs.327.60[298.13,415.95]mGy·cm)(all P＜0.05).Compared with grayscale images,images processed with color mapping demonstrated enhanced visualization of osseous details.Conclusion Energy CT after lumbar fusion could reduce image artifacts and improve the visualization of anatomical details at a lower radiation dose compared to conventional CT,while color mapping might further enhance the clarity of osseous details.

Objective To observe the effect of energy CT and color mapping to optimize displaying of ossification after lumbar interbody fusion.Methods A total of 76 patients who underwent lumbar fusion were retrospectively enrolled.According to the way of rescanning CT,the patients were divided into energy CT group(n=30)and traditional CT group(n=46).Subjective scoring of imaging quality of both groups on anatomic details,i.e.ossification of bone graft particles in the interbody fusion zone,cancellous bone growth near the endplate in the vertebral body,bone bridge connecting the interface between the fusion zone and the endplate in the vertebral body,as well as image artifacts were performed using a five-point scale.The image noise(SD value),and radiation dose represented by dose length product(DLP)were measured and compared between groups.Results Compared with traditional CT group,energy CT group had elevated subjective scores for anatomical details(4.50[4.28,4.50]vs.3.80[3.50,4.00])and image artifacts(4.30[4.00,4.50]vs.3.60[3.50,4.00]),while significantly lower SD value(37.22[34.90,38.85]HU vs.57.50[53.30,68.59]HU)and DLP(255.28[177.57,321.26]mGy·cm vs.327.60[298.13,415.95]mGy·cm)(all P＜0.05).Compared with grayscale images,images processed with color mapping demonstrated enhanced visualization of osseous details.Conclusion Energy CT after lumbar fusion could reduce image artifacts and improve the visualization of anatomical details at a lower radiation dose compared to conventional CT,while color mapping might further enhance the clarity of osseous details.

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of electroacupuncture treatment,the clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture in the treatment of abdominal obesity patients with stomach heat and dampness resistance type was observed by randomized controlled clinical trials.Methods 74 patients with stomach heat and dampness resistance type abdominal obesity recruited by Shanghai Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital were randomly assigned to the electroacupuncture group and the control group(1∶1,37 patients in each group).The electroacupuncture group selected acupoints such as Zhongwan,Jianli,Xiawan,Bilateral Quchi,Hegu,Liangmen,Tianshu,Shuidao,Zusanli,Shangjuxu,Neiting,etc.After the needle was inserted,the patient was given Qi by using techniques such as lifting,inserting,twisting,and turning.The bilateral Liangmen and Tianshu transverse acupoints were selected to connect the electroacupuncture,and a continuous wave of 3 Hz was selected,with the intensity determined based on the patient's tolerance.The needle was left for 30 min.The control group received Streitberger comfort sham acupuncture at the same acupoint,and the flat headed needle was struck through a cannula without piercing the skin.The electroacupuncture device was connected to the same acupoint but not electrified.Both groups of patients received treatment three times a week for 30 min each time,a total of 36 times.The main outcome measure was waist to hip ratio.The secondary outcome measures were weight,blood lipids,and the impact of weight on quality of life scale(IWQOL-Lite)and food desire trait questionnaire(FCQ-T).Each indicator was recorded before and after treatment in both groups.Simultaneously record all medication usage during the treatment period and monitor adverse reactions.Results After treatment,the waist hip ratio and average weight of patients in the electroacupuncture group decreased significantly(P＜0.05).The levels of triglycerides and cholesterol decreased,and the scores of IWQOL-Lite and FCQ-T decreased,but there was no statistically significant difference before and after treatment.Compared with the control group,the waist hip ratio of patients in the electroacupuncture group was lower after treatment(P＜0.05).Conclusion Electroacupuncture can effectively improve abdominal obesity caused by stomach heat and dampness resistance,and is superior to sham acupuncture in reducing the waist hip ratio.

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of electroacupuncture treatment,the clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture in the treatment of abdominal obesity patients with stomach heat and dampness resistance type was observed by randomized controlled clinical trials.Methods 74 patients with stomach heat and dampness resistance type abdominal obesity recruited by Shanghai Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital were randomly assigned to the electroacupuncture group and the control group(1∶1,37 patients in each group).The electroacupuncture group selected acupoints such as Zhongwan,Jianli,Xiawan,Bilateral Quchi,Hegu,Liangmen,Tianshu,Shuidao,Zusanli,Shangjuxu,Neiting,etc.After the needle was inserted,the patient was given Qi by using techniques such as lifting,inserting,twisting,and turning.The bilateral Liangmen and Tianshu transverse acupoints were selected to connect the electroacupuncture,and a continuous wave of 3 Hz was selected,with the intensity determined based on the patient's tolerance.The needle was left for 30 min.The control group received Streitberger comfort sham acupuncture at the same acupoint,and the flat headed needle was struck through a cannula without piercing the skin.The electroacupuncture device was connected to the same acupoint but not electrified.Both groups of patients received treatment three times a week for 30 min each time,a total of 36 times.The main outcome measure was waist to hip ratio.The secondary outcome measures were weight,blood lipids,and the impact of weight on quality of life scale(IWQOL-Lite)and food desire trait questionnaire(FCQ-T).Each indicator was recorded before and after treatment in both groups.Simultaneously record all medication usage during the treatment period and monitor adverse reactions.Results After treatment,the waist hip ratio and average weight of patients in the electroacupuncture group decreased significantly(P＜0.05).The levels of triglycerides and cholesterol decreased,and the scores of IWQOL-Lite and FCQ-T decreased,but there was no statistically significant difference before and after treatment.Compared with the control group,the waist hip ratio of patients in the electroacupuncture group was lower after treatment(P＜0.05).Conclusion Electroacupuncture can effectively improve abdominal obesity caused by stomach heat and dampness resistance,and is superior to sham acupuncture in reducing the waist hip ratio.

Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics of brucellosis complicated with rash.Methods:The medical records of 13 patients diagnosed with brucellosis complicated with rash diagnosed at the Hulunbuir People's Hospital from January 2017 to January 2022 were collected. Patient general information, clinical characteristics, laboratory tests and treatment results were analyzed by retrospective investigation.Results:Among the 13 patients with brucellosis complicated with rash, 10 were females and 3 were males, the youngest age was 39 years, and the oldest age was 62 years. All patients had fever, which may be accompanied by symptoms such as chills, fatigue, hyperhidrosis, arthralgia, headache and other symptoms. Among the 13 patients, 12 had scattered red or dark red macules/papules/maculopapules on the trunk and limbs, and 1 had red macules on both lower limbs, ranging in size from 2 to 10 mm, with no itching or pain symptoms, and the rash did not fade under pressure. All patients tested positive for rose bengal plate agglutination test (RBT) and in vitro serum agglutination test (SAT). Brucella was isolated and cultured from blood samples of 4 patients. All patients showed elevated levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), with detection values ranging from 27.1 to 146.4 mg/L and 22 to 79 mm/hr, respectively. Platelet and hemoglobin decreased in 1 case, 64 × 10 9/L and 96 g/L, respectively. Seven patients showed elevated levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and/or aspartate aminotransferase (AST), with detection values ranging from 51 to 204 and 45 to 210 U/L, respectively. Creatinine increased in 2 patients, and the detection values ranged from 92.6 to 125.3 μmol/L. Three patients had abnormal urine routine; bone damage was found in 1 patient. After 12 weeks or more of combined, full dose and full course of drug treatment, 12 cases were cured and 1 case improved, with a treatment effectiveness rate of 100%. Conclusions:The incidence of brucellosis complicated with rash is low. When the patient has a history of epidemiological contact with brucellosis, and has symptoms of fever and rash, combined with laboratory test results, brucellosis can be considered, and early treatment could lead to a good prognosis.

Objective:To understand the prevention knowledge of brucellosis among permanent residents in the agricultural area of Hulunbuir City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, and to provide a scientific basis for formulating brucellosis prevention strategies and measures.Methods:From May to December 2018, Daur Autonomous Banner of Morin Dawa and Arun Banner in the agricultural area of Hulunbuir City were selected as the survey sites. Three townships were selected from each banner, and one administrative village from each township was selected as the survey village. The permanent residents aged ≥14 who had lived in the survey village for at least one year were selected as the survey subjects. Serum was separated by the examiner and the rose-bengal plate agglutination test (RBPT) was conducted. The positive sera were further tested by tube agglutination test (SAT).Questionnaires were conducted by investigators in the form of face-to-face case interview, including general demographic information, family information, brucellosis prevention knowledge awareness status, epidemiological contact history, prevention status, general behavior, etc., to calculate the awareness rate of brucellosis prevention knowledge.Results:A total of 880 sera were isolated, of which 185 were positive for RBPT. Further examination of SAT showed that the positive rate of SAT was 17.27% (152/880). The overall awareness rate of brucellosis prevention knowledge was 46.73% (16 450/35 200). The awareness rates of males and females were 47.82% (8 473/17 720) and 45.64% (7 977/17 480), respectively. The 21 - 40 years old group had the highest awareness rate [60.94% (3 705/6 080)]. The awareness rates of primary school and below, junior high school, senior high school and above were 45.96% (11 969/26 040), 48.79% (3 962/8 120) and 49.90% (519/1 040), respectively. The awareness rate of people with livestock raising behavior in the year before the survey was 47.35% (8 011/16 920), while the awareness rate of people without such behavior was 46.17% (8 439/18 280).Conclusions:The overall awareness rate of brucellosis prevention knowledge among permanent residents in the agricultural area of Hulunbuir City is low. It is necessary to strengthen the training of relevant knowledge and strengthen the publicity and education of people with low awareness rate.

Objective:To understand the clinical characteristics of Brucella epididym-orchitis (BEO). Methods:The clinical data of married male patients with brucellosis in acute stage admitted to Hulunbuir People's Hospital from September 2017 to October 2019 were collected and divided into BEO group and non-BEO group, with 46 and 50 cases, respectively. The clinical manifestations, laboratory examination and treatment effect were analyzed and evaluated.Results:The frequency of lower abdominal pain, erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation in BEO group were higher than those in non-BEO group [26.1% (12/46) vs 8.0% (4/50), 89.1% (41/46) vs 12.0% (6/50), and 28.3% (13/46) vs 6.0% (3/50), χ 2 = 5.643, 57.037, 8.548, P < 0.05]. In laboratory examination, the incidence of increased leukocyte (WBC) count in BEO group was significantly higher than that in non-BEO group [23.9% (11/46) vs 8.0% (4/50), χ 2 = 4.602, P < 0.05]. In terms of sperm function, the incidence of decreased sperm dens (DENS) in BEO group was significantly higher than that in non-BEO group [21.7% (10/46) vs 2.0% (1/50), χ 2 = 9.201, P < 0.05]. After 2 - 7 d of treatment, the pain and/or tenderness of scrotum were relieved in all patients with BEO. After 3 - 5 d of treatment, the symptoms of BEO patients with lower abdominal pain and dysuria were relieved. After 12 weeks of treatment, 97.8% (45/46) of BEO patients had normal scrotal and testicular ultrasonography; 95.1% (39/41) of BEO patients had normal erectile function, 76.9% (10/13) of BEO patients had no premature ejaculation, and DENS returned to normal in 80.0% (8/10) of patients with DENS decreased. Five cases' sperm motility (PRNPPER) returned to normal of 6 patients with PRNPPER decreased. Conclusion:BEO patients have the clinical characteristics of lower abdominal pain, erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation and spermatogenic dysfunction, and the overall prognosis is good after treatment.

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics of patients infected with Brucella Melitensis ( B. Melitensis) type 1 and type 3 in Hulunbuir, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Methods:A retrospective analysis method was used to collect clinical medical records of patients with brucellosis admitted to Hulunbuir People's Hospital from June 2013 to August 2017, and 71 patients with brucellosis positive in blood culture and identified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and AMOS-PCR were selected as the study subjects. According to the identification results, they were divided into B. Melitensis type 1 and type 3 groups. General information, epidemiological characteristics, clinical characteristics, laboratory examinations, complications and efficacy of the two groups were compared. Results:Among 71 patients with brucellosis, 22 cases were B. Melitensis type 1, including 16 males and 6 females, aged (39.91 ± 16.04) years old; 49 cases were B. Melitensis type 3, including 34 males and 15 females, aged (40.67 ± 18.72) years old. There were no significant differences in gender composition and age between the two groups (χ 2 = 0.081, t = 0.166, P > 0.05). There were 10 cases(45.5%) of B. Melitensis type 1 patients living in agricultural areas, 10 cases (45.5%) in pastoral areas, and 2 cases (9.1%) in cities; there were 40 cases (81.6%) of B. Melitensis type 3 patients living in agricultural areas, 7 cases (14.3%) in pastoral areas and 2 cases (4.1%) in cities, and the difference between regions was statistically significant (χ 2 = 9.276, P < 0.05). Testicular swelling and pain symptoms [22.7% (5/22), 6.1% (3/49)] in B. Melitensis type 1 and type 3 patients were compared, the difference was statistically significant (χ 2 = 4.187, P < 0.05); other clinical features were compared, the differences were not statistically significant ( P > 0.05). There were no significant differences in white blood cell count (WBC) and platelet count (PLT) decreased, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) increased between the two groups ( P > 0.05). The number of complications in B. Melitensis type 1 and type 3 patients were 12 cases (54.5%) and 14 cases (28.6%), respectively, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (χ 2 = 4.413, P < 0.05). Ten cases (45.5%) of B. Melitensis type 1 patients were cured, 12 cases (54.5%) were improved, 34 cases (69.4%) of B. Melitensis type 3 patients were cured, 15 cases (30.6%) were improved, and there were no invalid or relapsed patients in both groups, the difference in curative effect between the two groups was statistically significant (χ 2 = 3.690, P < 0.05). Conclusions:In Hulunbuir, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, there are differences in the living areas of B. Melitensis type 1 and type 3 patients. The B. Melitensis type 1 patients are prone to testicular swelling and pain and brucellosis complications.

Objective:To analyze the epidemiological characteristics, clinical features of brucellosis patients with abnormal blood routine, and to improve the awareness of brucellosis among clinicians.Methods:A total of 1 036 patients with brucellosis admitted to the Department of Brucellosis, Hulunbuir People's Hospital from January 2011 to December 2017 were selected, including 274 patients with abnormal blood routine (case group), and 762 patients with normal blood routine(conrtol group). Epidemiological characteristics, clinical features and laboratory tests were analyzed retrospectively.Results:In 274 patients of case group, there were 128 males and 146 females, and the age was (36.3 ± 18.7) years old. In 762 patients of conrtol group, there were 381 males and 381 females, and the age was (35.4 ± 20.4) years old, and there were no significant differences in sex ratio and age between the two groups ( P > 0.05). The main route of infection in the two groups was to raise livestock such as sheep and cattle, 254 cases (92.7%) and 724 cases (95.0%), respectively. The proportions of patients with dizziness symptoms were 31.0% (85/274) and 17.7% (135/762) in the two groups, and the proportions of patients with rash were 14.2% (39/274) and 3.0% (23/762), and the differences were statistically significant between the two groups (χ 2 = 21.331, 45.054, P < 0.05). The symptoms of fever, sweating and fatigue were common in both groups, and the splenomegaly was the most common sign. However, there were no significant differences in the proportion of abnormal characteristics between the two groups ( P > 0.05). Among the 274 patients in case group, 48 had leucopenia, 160 had anemia, and 148 had thrombocytopenia; and 17 had both leucopenia and anemia, 23 had both leucopenia and thrombocytopenia, and 16 had both anemia and thrombocytopenia, and 13 had leucopenia, anemia, and thrombocytopenia at the same time. Conclusions:In the brucellosis epidemic area, when the patient has symptoms such as fever, fatigue, sweating, leucopenia, anemia, and thrombocytopenia, and excluding abnormal blood routine caused by other reasons, clinicians should consider the possibility of Brucella infection.

Brucellosis is a zoonotic,acute and chronic systemic disease caused by Brucella,the incidence is increasing year by year.Brucella can invade many organs and tissues of human body,affect working ability,and even cause disability and death,seriously endanger human health.Now the main treatment method of brucellosis is multi-course and combined application of antibacterial drugs,but long-term using of such drugs is prone to drug resistance and adverse reactions.In recent years,the combination of traditional Chinese and western medicine has been applied to treat brucellosis and achieved certain curative effect.In this paper,the current situation in treating brucellosis by integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine is summarized and prospected.