Objective:To investigate the relationship between the neutrophil- to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR), C-reactive protein (CRP), and the efficacy of immunotherapy in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).Methods:The clinical data of 47 patients with NSCLC who received immunotherapy at The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Science and Technology from December 2021 to May 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Based on the duration of immunotherapy, patients with a duration of more than 1 year were classified as having a good immune response, while those with a duration of less than 1 year were classified as having a poor immune response. The clinical pathological characteristics of patients with good and poor immune responses were compared. The cutoff values for NLR, LMR, and CRP were calculated using receiver operating characteristic curves, and patients were grouped based on these cutoff values. The predictive probabilities of different combinations were compared. Univariate and multivariate Cox analyses were performed to identify factors affecting patient survival.Results:Significant differences were observed in the distribution of therapy lines (1 st-line vs. 2 nd-line treatment), NLR, LMR, and CRP levels between patients with good immune response and those with poor immune responses (all P < 0.05). The area under the curve (AUC) for NLR was 0.763 [95% CI: (0.608, 0.918)], the AUC for LMR was 0.715 [95% CI: (0.544, 0.875)], and the AUC for CRP was 0.697 [95% CI: (0.540, 0.853)]. To assess the diagnostic value of combined indicators in predicting the efficacy of immunotherapy in NSCLC, different indicators were combined, resulting in the variables NLR + LMR, NLR + CRP, LMR + CRP, and NLR + LMR + CRP. Receiver Operating Characteristic curves were plotted based on the probabilities. The combination of NLR + LMR + CRP showed the best predictive performance, with an AUC of 0.897 [95% CI: (0.806, 0.988)]. Univariate and multivariate Cox analyses indicated that LMR [ HR: 0.428; 95% CI: (0.213, 0.858), P = 0.017] and the distribution of treatment lines [ HR: 1.815; 95% CI: (1.005, 3.642), P = 0.033] were important independent prognostic factors for progression-free survival. Conclusions:NLR, LMR, and CRP are correlated with immunotherapy efficacy in patients with NSCLC and provide predictive value. LMR and treatment line are independent prognostic factors for progression-free survival.

Objective:To analyze the correlation between bone metabolism indicators,ultrasound quantitative parameters,and prediction of osteoporosis fracture risk assessment tool(FRAX)in elderly patients with osteoporosis(OP).Methods:A total of eighty elderly patients with OP who admitted to Wuxi Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine from December 2023 to December 2024 were selected.Based on the results of measuring bone quality by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry(DXA),they were divided into bone loss group(26 cases),moderate group(41 cases),and severe group(13 cases).All patients underwent measurements for N-terminal osteocalcin(N-MID OCN),total type I collagen N-terminal extended peptide(TP1NP),25 hydroxyvitamin D(25-OH VitD),parathyroid hormone(PTH),and β-collagen specific sequence(CROSSL)bone metabolism indicators when they were enrolled in groups.They underwent examinations of ultrasonic quantitative parameters included ultrasonic bone density(T value),ultrasound conduction velocity(SOS)and bone quality index(BQI),as well as FRAX prediction.The results of bone metabolism indicators,the examination of ultrasound quantitative parameter,and FRAX prediction were compared among the three groups of elderly patients with OP.Using Pearson linear correlation analysis analyzed the relationship among the three factors.Results:The N-MID OCN and 25-OH VitD levels in the severe group were lower respectively than those in the moderate group and the bone loss group,while the TP1NP,PTH,and CROSSL levels were higher than those in the moderate group and the bone less group,and the differences among the three groups were statistically significant(F=31.646,75.055,110.274,93.321,59.246,P<0.05).The T value,SOS,and BQI in the severe group were lower than those in the moderate group and the bone loss group,and the differences among the three groups were statistically significant(F=81.980,108.985,76.327,P<0.05).The levels of proximal humeral fracture(PHF)and postmenopausal osteoporosis fracture(PMOF)in the severe group were higher than those in the moderate group and the bone loss group,and the differences among the three groups were statistically significant(F=57.086,118.079,P<0.05).Pearson linear correlation analysis showed that the N-MID OCN and 25-OH VitD levels were positively correlated with T value,SOS,and BQI in elderly patients with OP(r=0.398,0.617,0.769,0.752,0.500,0.654,P<0.05),and were negatively correlated with PHF and PMOF(r=-0.504,-0.534,-0.572,-0.662,P<0.05).The TP1NP,PTH,CROSSL levels were negatively correlated with T value,SOS and BQI(r=-0.745,-0.751,-0.634,-0.733,-0.728,-0.569,-0.709,-0.648,-0.611,P<0.05),and were positively correlated with PHF and PMOF(r=0.612,0.558,0.602,0.700,0.695,0.740,P<0.05).Conclusion:The bone metabolism indicators of elderly patients with OP are correlated significantly with ultrasound quantitative parameters and FRAX prediction,which can be used as an important scheme in clinical assessment for bone strength and fracture risk.

Objective:To investigate the prenatal echocardiographic features of fetuses diagnosed with Ebstein anomaly (EA), identify prognostic factors affect the fetal and neonatal mortality, and evaluate the clinical value of the Simpson Andrews Sharland prognostic score (SAS prognostic score).Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 37 fetuses diagnosed with EA via prenatal and postnatal echocardiography at Guangdong Provincial People′s Hospital from June 2012 to June 2024. The echocardiographic features of EA patients were summarized. According to the patients′ survival statuses during the fetal and neonatal periods, they were divided into survival group and death group for a comparative analysis of key echocardiographic parameters, as well as SAS prognostic score. Also, receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve was employed to assess the predictive abilities of various indicators. Finally, based on the medium-and long-term prognostic outcomes of EA cases, the predictive value of the SAS system was evaluated. The t test, Mann-Whitney U test, and Fisher exact test were used for group comparison. Results:Regarding the 37 EA cases, the gestational age at the initial diagnosis was (29±4) weeks. All of EA fetuses exhibited echocardiographic characterized by tricuspid regurgitation (TR) originating below the native tricuspid annulus with the severity varied, accompanied by manifestations such as right atrial enlargement. Of all cases, 5 cases (14%) died prenatally, and 32 cases (86%) were born alive. Postnatally, 4 cases died preoperatively, 1 case died postoperatively, and 27 cases survived. Compared with the survival group, the death group had a significantly higher average SAS prognostic score (6.9±1.1 vs. 2.0±1.5, t=9.17, P<0.001), right atrium (RA) to left atrium (LA) transverse diameter ratio (2.0±0.5 vs. 1.3±0.2, t=4.87, P=0.001) and TR area to RA area ratio (0.8±0.2 vs. 0.4±0.2, t=5.27, P<0.001). According to the ROC analysis, the optimal predictive value indicators are RA to LA transverse diameter ratio (AUC=0.93, 95% CI 0.81-1.00) and the TR area-to-RA area ratio (AUC=0.93, 95% CI 0.85-1.00); the optimal cut-point values were 1.5 and 0.5, respectively. Of 32 born alive cases, 21 cases (66%) didn′t undergo surgery, 2 cases (6%) underwent bidirectional Glenn surgery, and one case (3%) underwent tricuspid valvuloplasty. All 17 cases with SAS score≤2 survived, while all 9 cases with SAS score≥6 died. Among the 11 cases with a score from 3 to 5, 8 cases achieved a biventricular outcome. Conclusions:The typical echocardiographic feature of EA fetuses is that the originating point of TR is below the native tricuspid annulus and the severity can vary. The SAS score is essential for tiered prognosis. When the SAS is 3-5, dynamic monitoring for TR and RA enlargement should be employed to help guide prenatal intervention and reduce fetal and neonatal mortality.

Objective:To investigate the diagnostic value of fetal cardiac ultrasound view visualization in the first trimester for congenital heart disease（CHD）.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed on 13 323 singleton fetuses who underwent first-trimester（11-13 +6 weeks）ultrasound screening at the Ultrasound Medicine Center，the Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from January 2018 to June 2024. Cardiac views including the four-chamber view（4CV），left ventricular outflow tract view（LVOT），and Results:The study group showed significantly higher rates of "poorly visualized" 4CV，LVOT，and 3VT than the control group（2.70% vs. 0.14%， P=0.005；36.49% vs. 4.76%， P<0.001；36.49% vs.2.46%， P<0.001）. The efficacies of combination 1（any view abnormal）and combination 2（any view "poorly visualized" or "abnormal"）were comparable，with AUCs of 0.86 and 0.85（ P=0.424）. The AUCs of combination 3（3VT "poorly visualized" or any view "abnormal"）and combination 4（4CV "poorly visualized" or any view "abnormal"）were 0.88 and 0.86（ P=0.424），all significantly higher than combination 5（LVOT "poorly visualized" or any view "abnormal"，AUC=0.84，all P<0.05）. Conclusions:"Poorly visualized" cardiac views in the first trimester demonstrate good diagnostic efficacy for CHD，particularly when 3VT or 4CV are affected，warranting heightened clinical vigilance for fetal cardiac anomalies.

Objective To analyze and compare the efficacy of DNA barcode,i.e.,Cytochrome b(Cytb)and 12S ribosomal RNA(12S rRNA)gene sequences,in the species identification of wildlife.Methods DNA extraction,quantification,PCR amplification of Cytb and 12S rRNA gene fragments,Sanger sequencing,and sequence alignment analysis were performed on ten wildlife samples.Results Both gene fragments were successfully amplified in six samples,while Cytb alone was successfully amplified in 1 sample,and 12S rRNA alone in 3 samples.Sequence analysis indicated that Cytb enabled species-level identification for 6 samples(Gallinula chloropus,Streptopelia orientalis,Phasianus colchicus,Falco naumanni,Myiopsitta monachus and Lynx lynx)and genus-level identification for 1 sample(Lepus).In contrast,12S rRNA achieved species-level identificaggion for 8 samples(Gallinula chloropus,Lepus sinensis,Phasianus colchicus,Myiopsitta monachus,Muntiacus reevesi,Macaca mulatta and Lynx lynx),representing seven species,and genus-level identification for 1 sample(Falco).However,by combining Cytb and 12S rRNA,all samples could be identified to the species level.Conclusion When applying DNA barcodes to wildlife identification,the Cytb and 12S rRNA gene regions analyzed here can effectively identify common species such as Gallinula chloropus and Streptopelia orientalis,but face difficulties in distinguishing closely related species within the same genus.Therefore,when conducting wildlife species identification,it is recommended to use two or more DNA barcode markers.

Objective To analyze and compare the efficacy of DNA barcode,i.e.,Cytochrome b(Cytb)and 12S ribosomal RNA(12S rRNA)gene sequences,in the species identification of wildlife.Methods DNA extraction,quantification,PCR amplification of Cytb and 12S rRNA gene fragments,Sanger sequencing,and sequence alignment analysis were performed on ten wildlife samples.Results Both gene fragments were successfully amplified in six samples,while Cytb alone was successfully amplified in 1 sample,and 12S rRNA alone in 3 samples.Sequence analysis indicated that Cytb enabled species-level identification for 6 samples(Gallinula chloropus,Streptopelia orientalis,Phasianus colchicus,Falco naumanni,Myiopsitta monachus and Lynx lynx)and genus-level identification for 1 sample(Lepus).In contrast,12S rRNA achieved species-level identificaggion for 8 samples(Gallinula chloropus,Lepus sinensis,Phasianus colchicus,Myiopsitta monachus,Muntiacus reevesi,Macaca mulatta and Lynx lynx),representing seven species,and genus-level identification for 1 sample(Falco).However,by combining Cytb and 12S rRNA,all samples could be identified to the species level.Conclusion When applying DNA barcodes to wildlife identification,the Cytb and 12S rRNA gene regions analyzed here can effectively identify common species such as Gallinula chloropus and Streptopelia orientalis,but face difficulties in distinguishing closely related species within the same genus.Therefore,when conducting wildlife species identification,it is recommended to use two or more DNA barcode markers.

Objective:To analyze the correlation between respiratory event duration and nocturnal oxygen saturation (SpO 2) in adults with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and to explore its significance in assessing nocturnal hypoxemia and OSA severity. Methods:A prospective study was conducted on adult OSA patients diagnosed via overnight standard polysomnography (PSG) at the Department of Otolaryngology, First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from June 2019 to December 2023. Data collected included demographic information, PSG reports, scale scores, and comorbidities. Patients were first stratified by apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) severity. Relationships between respiratory event duration parameters,including total apnea-hypopnea time (TAHT), percentage of total sleep time with apnea-hypopnea (AHT%), total apnea time (TAT), total hypopnea time (THT), and mean apnea-hypopnea time (MAHT), and nocturnal SpO? parameters, including average SpO? (aSpO?), minimal SpO? (mSpO?), mean oxygen desaturation (MOD), and percentage of total sleep time with SpO?<90% (CT90), were analyzed. Patients were then divided into two groups based on the median MAHT (27.6 s) for SpO? comparison. Finally, severe OSA patients were further subclassified using an AHI inflection point (50 events/h) identified via scatter plot analysis to compare nocturnal SpO?. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 27.0.Results:Among the 250 study subjects, there were 201 males and 49 females, with ages ranging from 18 to 76 years (mean age: 41.6 ± 11.9 years).TAHT, AHT%, and TAT in OSA patients demonstrated significant negative correlations with aSpO?( r=-0.698, -0.718, -0.646)and mSpO?( r=-0.746, -0.746, -0.748), while showing positive correlations with MOD ( r=0.783, 0.791, 0.823)and CT90 ( r=0.868, 0.866, 0.852), P<0.05. When stratified by MAHT median ( M=27.6 s), the "long-event" subgroup ( n=125) displayed significantly lower mSpO 2 and higher MOD and CT90 compared to the "short-event" subgroup ( n=125), Z=-3.319, 3.288, 2.242; P<0.05. No significant difference in aSpO 2 was observed ( P>0.05). Subgrouping severe OSA patients at AHI=50 events/hour revealed significant differences in aSpO 2, mSpO 2, MOD, and CT90 between groups ( Z=-5.011, -4.787, 5.142, 6.117, P<0.05). Conclusions:TAHT, AHT%, and TAT significantly correlate with nocturnal SpO? parameters in OSA patients and can supplement AHI in assessing OSA severity. MAHT independently reflects nocturnal oxygenation status beyond AHI.

This study was aimed at exploring the epidemic characteristics and spatio-temporal evolution patterns of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome(SFTS)in Henan Province from 2011 to 2022,to provide a reference for prevention and control ef-forts.Data on SFTS in Henan Province from 2011 to 2022 were collected from the Information Management System for Infectious Dis-ease Reporting,and epidemiological characteristics and spatio-temporal evolution patterns were investigated through spatial autocorre-lation analysis,standard deviation ellipse analysis,and spatial-centered transfer curves,on a district-county basis.From 2011 to 2022,a total of 5 471 SFTS cases associated with 81 deaths were reported in Henan Province.The incidence rate showed an increasing trend(χ2trend=23.24,P<0.001),and the average annual incidence was 0.4 677/100 000.The case-fatality rate showed a decreasing trend from 2011 to 2019(χ2trend=8.86,P=0.003),but an increasing trend from 2020 to 2022(χ2trend=12.93,P<0.001).The average an-nual case-fatality rate was 1.48%.The peak incidence period was from May to July;this period accounted for 58.75%of the total cases.Females(59.39%),individuals 60-80 years old(55.40%),and farmers(96.64%)were the high prevalence groups.The disease was distributed primarily in Xinyang City,and Shangcheng County had the highest incidence rate(27.411 8/100 000).Spatial aggregation was observed in the southeastern region(Moran's I>0,P<0.001),and the disease centers were all located in Guangshan County,Xin-yang City,and showed southeast-northwest-southeast-northwest-southeast-northeast-southwest movement during the 12-year pe-riod.In conclusion,from 2011 to 2022,SFTS in Henan Province had a high incidence in May to July,and females,older people,and farmers were the high-risk groups.Spatial aggregation was observed in the southeastern region,along with spread to surrounding areas.Xinyang City is therefore a key area for the prevention and control of SFTS.

With the deepening of the modernization of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM),the analysis of mineralogical features of mineralogical TCM,as an important part of TCM,has received more and more attention.At present,the research of mineral-based traditional Chinese medicine is faced with problems such as confusion of medicinal resources,unclear material basis,and low exclusivity of quality standards,while common analytical techniques have certain limitations in quantitative analysis,sensitivity and comprehensive characterization,which restrict the modernization research of mineral-based medicines and its clinical applications.The advanced mineral identification and characterization system integrates energy spectrum and spectral analysis techniques,combined with efficient data processing algorithms,which can rapidly and accurately analyze mineral components qualitatively and quantitatively,but its application in mineral medicine research is still in its infancy.This article reviews the common analytical techniques for mineral medicine and the potential application of advanced mineral identification and characterization system in the identification of mineral Chinese medicine matrix and quality control.The advanced mineral identification and characterization system can not only accurately distinguish the mineralogical characteristics of mineral medicines,such as the mineral composition,elemental state and embedded characteristics,and provide data support for the research of mineral medicine resources,but also provide scientific basis for the establishment of systematic quality standards,the analysis of the preparation mechanism,the revelation of its potential medicinal effect of the material basis and the control of the risk of heavy metals.

[Objective]To explore the therapeutic approaches for meridian-tendon diseases documented in medical manuscripts of the Qin and Han Dynasties,and provide insights for modern treatment of meridian-tendon diseases.[Methods]By compiling and analyzing the meridian-tendon diseases related information extracted from medical bamboo slips and silk such as Mawangdui Medical Texts,Zhangjiashan Han Medical Bamboo,Tianhui Medical Bamboo Slips and Wuwei Han Medical Slips,which investigate the understanding of Qin-Han period physicians,regarding of the etiology,pathogenesis,symptoms and treatment methods of meridian-tendon diseases,with a focus on extracting records related to their treatment methods,systematically summarizing specific therapeutic approaches and comprehensively outlining the treatment system for meridian-tendon diseases in Qin-Han medical texts.[Results]The study revealed that Qin-Han period physicians primarily attributed the etiology and pathogenesis of meridian-tendon diseases to the invasion of wind,cold,and damp pathogens,whose clinical manifestations included limb pain,numbness,reduced function and motor impairment.Therapeutically,a comprehensive system integrating internal and external treatments was established:external treatments encompassed repositioning,moxibustion,ironing,Bian stone therapy,acupuncture and massage therapy;internal treatments included single-drug prescriptions and traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)compounds;preventive healthcare measures comprised Daoyin,dietary therapy,health supplements,cupping therapy and Zhuyoushu.These approaches collectively formed a holistic treatment and prevention system for meridian-tendon diseases in Qin-Han medical texts.[Conclusion]The treatment of meridian-tendon diseases during this period exhibited characteristics of combining internal and external therapies,using medications and diet concurrently,applying a single technique for multiple purposes,emphasizing both prevention and treatment,and widely utilizing alcohol.