Objective To explore the feasibility of automatic segmentation of clinical target volume(CTV)and organs at risk(OARs)for cervical cancer using AccuLearning(AL)based on geometric and dosimetric indices.Methods Seventy-five CT localization images with manual contouring data of postoperative cervical cancer were enrolled in this study.Sixty cases were randomly selected to trained to generate automatic segmentation model by AL,and the CTV and OARs of the remaining 15 cases were automatically contoured.Radiotherapy plans on the automatic segmentation contours were imported on the CT images of manual contours.The efficiency,Dice similarity coefficient(DSC),Hausdorff distance(HD)and dosimetric parameters were compared between the two methods.Results The time of automatic segmentation was significantly shorter than that of the manual contour(P<0.05).The DSC of all structures were≥0.87.The HD of bowel bag and rectum were about 10 mm,and that of the rest of OARs were less than 5 mm.CTV(D98,V90% ,V95% ,Dmean,HI),bowel bag(V50)and bladder(V50)had significant differences in dosimetric comparison(P<0.05).Conclusion The automatic segmentation model based on AL can improve the efficiency of radiotherapy.Automatic segmentation of OARs has the potential of clinical application,while that of CTV still needs to be further modified.

Objective To explore the correlation between intestinal dose and acute radiation enteritis(ARE)in patients with cervical cancer received concurrent chemoradiotherapy,and optimize the dose limit of intestinal tissue.Methods 158 cervical cancer patients received concurrent chemoradiotherapy from 2014 to 2019 were selected in this study.According to CTCAE 5.0,patients with ARE≥grade 2 were classified as ARE≥grade 2 group,otherwise classified as ARE0.7,P<0.05).Conclusions For patients with cervical cancer received concurrent chemoradiotherapy,the dose of bowelbag V5 and V40 should be considered to rationally optimize the dose of bowelbag in the radiotherapy plan,so as to reduce the incidence of ARE≥grade 2.

Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics of pediatric atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS), and provide clinical experience for the diagnosis and treatment of aHUS in China.Methods:It was a single-center retrospective study. Fifteen aHUS children treated and having complete clinical data at Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University between December 31, 2017 and October 15, 2023 were enrolled to analyze the clinical features covering laboratory examinations, genetic testing results, and clinical manifestations. The children were classified based on genetic testing and complement factor H (CFH) antibody detection results to analyze the corresponding clinical characteristics.Results:Among the 15 aHUS patients. There were 8 males and 7 females. The onset age was 5.1 (0.7, 10.8) years old. All patients underwent genetic testing, with 9/15 of aHUS-related gene mutation, revealing 2 de novo mutations in complement factors-related genes. Among 11 patients screened for CFH antibody, 6 tested positive. C3 was detected in 14 patients , and C3 decreased in 9 patients. In laboratory examinations, there were notable decreases in red blood cell (RBC) count in 13 patients, platelet (PLT) count in 15 patients, hemoglobin (Hb) in 15 patients and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in 14 patients. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine (Scr) were markedly elevated in 13 patients and 9 patients, respectively. Twelve patients exhibited elevated transaminase levels, and 14 patients exhibited elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels. Clinically, 11 patients had triggers, and 4 patients had clear family histories. Common clinical features including anemia, thrombocytopenia, proteinuria and hematuria were in 15 patients. There were statistically significant differences in RBC count ( Z=-2.84, P=0.005), PLT count ( Z=-6.65, P<0.001), Hb ( t=-3.71, P=0.002), LDH ( Z=3.76, P=0.002), BUN ( Z=2.71, P=0.017), and eGFR ( Z=-3.65, P=0.003) before and after treatment except alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, Scr and complement C3 (all P>0.05). There were no significant differences in onset age, RBC count, PLT count, Hb, LDH, alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, Scr, BUN, eGFR, and C3 between aHUS-related gene mutation and non-mutation groups, and CFH antibody-positive and negative groups (all P>0.05). Conclusions:aHUS is marked by severity, and has diverse clinical manifestations. There are no significant differences in clinical presentation at admission between hereditary and acquired aHUS, highlighting the critical importance of genetic testing and complement-related factor detection in diagnosing aHUS etiology. The family history plays a supportive role in diagnosis of aHUS.

Objective:To investigate the effect of nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) gene on the proliferation and apoptosis of colorectal adenocarcinoma cells in vitro, and the role of Nrf2 gene in regulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) pathway.Methods:Three Nrf2 small interfering RNA (siRNA) sequences were designed and synthesized, namely siRNA-223, siRNA-538 and siRNA-756, and the unrelated sequences were designed and synthesized. The plasmids carrying various siRNA sequences of Nrf2 were constructed, and the plasmids carrying siRNA sequences and the plasmids carrying unrelated sequences were transfected into human colorectal adenocarcinoma Caco-2 cells, namely interference group and empty vector group, respectively. Additionally, Caco-2 cells without any treatment were used as the control group. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Western blotting (WB) methods were used to detect the relative expression of Nrf2 gene in transcription and translation levels in each group of cells, in order to verify the interference effect of Nrf2; the siRNA with the best interference effect was selected for subsequent experiments. CCK-8 method was used to detect the proliferation ability of each group of cells (expressed as absorbance value); RT-qPCR was used to detect the relative expression of EMT pathway-related factors [vimentin (Vim), N-cadherin (N-cad) and E-cadherin (E-cad)] in transcription level in each group of cells; WB method was used to detect the expression of pro-apoptotic protein Bax in each group of cells.Results:The results of RT-qPCR and WB methods showed that compared with the control group and the empty group, the relative expression of Nrf2 gene in transcription and translation levels in Caco-2 cells of the siRNA-756 interference group were the lowest, and the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). The CCK-8 results showed that the absorbance values of Caco-2 cells in the control group, empty group and siRNA-756 interference group after 48 hours of culture were (100±5)%, (94±4)% and (82±5)%, respectively; compared with the control group and the empty group, the siRNA-756 interference group had lower absorbance value, and the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). The results of RT-qPCR method showed that the relative expression of Vim and N-cad in transcription level in the siRNA-756 interference group were higher than those in the control group and the empty vector group, and the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.05); the relative expression of E-cad in transcription level was lower than those in the control group and the empty vector group, and the differences were statistically significant (both P < 0.05). The results of WB method showed that the relative expression of Bax protein in the siRNA-756 interference group was higher than that in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant ( P < 0.05). Conclusions:Interference with Nrf2 expression in vitro can weaken the proliferation and anti-apoptotic abilities of human colorectal adenocarcinoma Caco-2 cells. The mechanism may be that Nrf2 regulates the expression of Vim, N-cad and E-Cad in the EMT pathway to enhance the EMT ability of tumor cells.

Objective To assess the feasibility of utilizing the ExacTracDynamic surface monitoring system(ETD)for setup and body surface monitoring in patients with thoracic tumors undergoing intensity-modulated radio-therapy(IMRT).Methods Patients receiving IMRT for thoracic tumors were included in this study.The enrolled patients were alternatively assigned to either conventional cross curve positioning(control group)or surface monitoring system-assisted positioning(experimental group).ETD X-ray images were utilized for calibration purposes prior to radiotherapy,enabling the determination of setup errors.A region of interest(ROI)was delineated on the body surface above the sternum,and real-time body surface monitoring was performed based on this ROI during radiotherapy.Post-radiotherapy X-ray images were obtained to verify patient position.Data regarding left-right(X),head-foot(Y),abdomen-back(Z),pitch,roll,and yaw directions were recorded and analyzed.Results A total of 60 patients were enrolled,with 754 fractions of radiotherapy in the control group and 718 fractions in the experimental group.The setup errors in the X and Z directions were significantly smaller in the experimental group compared to the control group(P<0.05).Moreover,there was a significant reduction in the number of setup errors≤0.50 cm for X,Y,and Z directions,as well as≤1.00° for Roll angle in the experimental group compared to the control group(P<0.05).Additionally,differences were observed between surface monitoring and X-ray image verification regarding position deviation along Y and Z directions(P<0.05),although these deviations remained within submillimeter levels on average.Conclusion Surface monitoring system-assisted positioning can enhance radiotherapy setup accuracy among thoracic tumor patients,particularly along X and Z directions.Furthermore,when setting ROI above sternum on body surface area,surface monitoring provides better reflection of target area's position deviation.

Objective:To analyze the clinical and pathological features of adolescent- onset primary nephrotic syndrome (PNS) in children (10 years≤age≤18 years), so as to explore the renal biopsy indications in adolescent-onset PNS.Methods:It was a single-center retrospective observational study. The clinical and pathological data of adolescent-onset PNS (age≥10 years) who underwent renal biopsy in Children's Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University from December 2004 to June 2022 were analyzed retrospectively.Results:A total of 110 children were included in the study, including 76 males (69.1%) and 34 females (30.9%), with the onset age ranging from 10 years to 14 years and 9 months. Forty-nine cases (44.5%) were accompanied by hematuria, including 14 cases (12.7%) of gross hematuria and 35 cases (31.8%) of microscopic hematuria. Twenty-five cases (22.7%) had hypertension, 19 cases (17.3%) had renal insufficiency, and 4 cases (3.6%) had low complement C3 at the onset. Fifty-two cases (47.3%) were steroid sensitive nephrotic syndrome and 58 cases (52.7%) were steroid resistant nephrotic syndrome. Biopsy results showed that minimal change disease(MCD) was the most common histopathological subtype (47.3%, 52 case), followed by focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) in 22 cases (20.0%), IgA nephropathy (IgAN) in 17 cases (15.5%), membranous nephropathy (MN) in 7 cases (6.4%), mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis in 5 cases (4.5%), IgM nephropathy in 4 cases (3.6%), membranous proliferative glomerulonephritis in 2 cases (1.8%), and C1q nephropathy in 1 case (0.9%). Among 44 children with simple type nephrotic syndrome, the pathological type was mainly MCD (77.3%), and 66 children with nephritic type nephrotic syndrome were mostly non-MCD (72.7%), such as IgAN, FSGS, MN, etc. If there are two or more clinical manifestations of persistent hematuria, hypertension, renal insufficiency or low C3 levels, the proportion of non-MCD would further increase to 92.0%(23/25). The pathological type of patient with gross hematuria or low C3-emia was non-MCD. The frequency of hematuria (69.0% vs. 17.3%, χ2=29.619, P<0.001), hypertension (31.0% vs. 13.5%, χ2=4.821, P=0.028) and renal insufficiency (24.1% vs. 9.6%, χ2=4.047, P=0.044) in non-MCD group was significantly higher than those in MCD group. Conclusions:If the clinical manifestation of PNS in adolescent over 10 years old is simple type nephrotic syndrome, the histopathological lesion is mostly MCD, and most of them are steroid sensitive. It is recommended to give hormone treatment first, and then perform renal biopsy if steroid resistance occurs; If the clinical manifestation is nephritic type nephrotic syndrome, the histopathological lesion is mostly non-MCD, especially those with gross hematuria or low C3-emia, or those have two or more clinical manifestations of persistent hematuria, hypertension, renal insufficiency and hypocomplement C3-emia, a kidney biopsy should be performed at onset.

Objective:To investigate the clinical manifestations, pathological characteristics, treatment and prognosis of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV) in 13 children.Methods:The clinical and pathological data of 13 cases of AAV in children′s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from June 2000 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed.Results:Among the 13 cases, 12 cases were diagnosed with microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) and 1 case was granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), including 10 females and 3 males. The onset age ranged from 3 years and 11 months to 13 years and 10 months. The most frequently involved organ was the kidney (12 cases, 92.3%), followed by respiratory system (7 cases, 53.8%), skin (5 cases, 38.5%), digestive system (4 cases, 30.8%), nervous system (4 cases, 30.8%) and cardiovascular system (3 cases, 23.1%). There were 10 cases with orthotic anemia, 7 cases with positive antinuclear antibody, and 3 cases with mildly decreased complement C3. Among the 12 children with renal impairment, 9 cases were accompanied by abnormal renal function at the beginning of the disease. Renal biopsy was classified according to the Berden as follows: sclerotic in 5 cases, crescentic 3 cases, focal in 2 cases and mixed in 2 cases. All children were treated with glucocorticoid combined with immunosuppressant. During the follow-up time from 8 months to 128 months, 4 cases acquired complete remission, 8 cases achieved partial remission and 1 case recurred after complete remission, and 7 cases progressed to chronic kidney disease stage 5. Three children with complete remission underwent repeated renal biopsy, including 2 cases of mixed type and 1 case of crescent type initially, and all changed to focal type.Conclusions:AAV in children occurs mainly in school-age female, and most of AAV in children is MPA. The clinical manifestations are various. Most of them have renal damage and anemia, and lung damage is also common. Patients with skin purpura onset may be misdiagnosed as Henoch-Schonlein purpura, and AAV with ANA positive or complement reduction should exclude systemic lupus erythematosus. Once the renal function is abnormal in AAV, especially estimated glomerular filtration rate<60 ml·min -1·(1.73 m 2) -1 and the pathological classification is sclerotic type or crescent type, it is difficult to reverse even after active treatment. Early diagnosis and treatment are very important for AAV.

Adaptation, Psychological ; Adolescent ; COVID-19 ; Child ; China ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; SARS-CoV-2

A well - established residency standardized training system is crucial for cultivating qualified general practitioners(GPs). The syllabus has regulated the goals, objectives, contents and forms of training, but not proposed the concrete and effective teaching and assessment models. This article reflects the existing problems in GP training regarding teaching faculty,rotation plan, outpatient teaching, feedback and evaluation mechanisms as well as the assessment methods and contents,the article also gives specific suggestions for future improvement in order to train competent GPs.

Objective To investigate the preliminary clinical efficacy of percutaneous plate internal fixation with fracture reduction oriented forcep in the treatment of lower humeral fractures. Methods A retrospective case control study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 46 patients with lower humeral fractures admitted to Wuzhong People's Hospital of Suzhou from October 2013 to March 2015. There were 25 males and 21 females, aged 19-76 years, with an average age of 45. 7 years. A total of 22 patients ( percutaneous group) were treated with minimally invasive percutaneous internal fixation with self-developed fracture reduction oriented forcep according to the dimensionality reduction method (DRM). The other 24 patients (control group) were treated with open reduction internal fixation. The length of incision, operation time, intraoperative blood loss, fracture healing time, the American Foot and Ankle Surgery Association ( AOFAS ) ankle-hindfoot score at the last follow-up, and postoperative complications were compared between the two groups. Results All patients were followed up for 12-24 months, with an average of 14. 6 months. There were statistically significant differences between percutaneous group and control group in incision length [(7.1 ±0.8)cm vs. (8.8 ±0.7)cm, operation time [(32.5 ±4.9)min vs. (39.2 ±4.3)min], intraoperative blood loss [(8.0 ±2.7) ml vs. (31.0 ± 11.4)ml], and fracture healing time (16.4 ±2.3)weeks vs. (19.5 ±2.9)weeks], respectively (all P<0.05). In percutaneous group, the AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score was (92.3 ±5.9)points (range, 75-99 points ) , and the overall results were good and excellent in 21/22 ( 96％) including excellent results in 18 patients, good in three, fair in one and poor in 0. In control group, the AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score was (91.8 ±4.9)points (range, 76-99 points), and the overall results were good and excellent in 23/24 (96％) including excellent results in 20 patients, good in three, fair in one and poor in 0. There was no significant difference in the excellent and good rate between two groups (P>0. 05). Poor wound healing was observed in one patient in control group. No case of nonunion was found in either group. Conclusion For lower humeral fractures, the percutaneous plate internal fixation with fracture reduction oriented forcep has the characteristics of simple operation, shortened operation time, reduced soft tissue injury and blood loss, and quick healing of the fracture, which is worthy of clinical application.