Objective To explore the feasibility of using high-definition thoracoscopy to identify sympathetic ganglia during thoracic sympathicotomy for primary palmar hyperhidrosis. Methods The clinical data of patients with primary palmar hyperhidrosis who underwent high-definition thoracoscopic sympathicotomy in Taikang Xianlin Drum Tower Hospital from June to July 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Intraoperative visualization rates and anatomical variations of sympathetic ganglia were recorded, and the consistency between white-light thoracoscopy and near-infrared fluorescence imaging was compared. Additionally, surgical videos from previous fluorescence-guided procedures were reviewed. Results Finally 100 patients were collected, including 54 females and 46 males, with an average age of (21.92±6.56) years. All patients underwent endoscopic thoracic sympathicotomy at R3 level. The overall intraoperative ganglion visualization rate was 92.5% (740/800), with G2-G5 rates of 95.5% (191/200), 94.0% (188/200), 94.0% (188/200), and 86.5% (173/200), respectively. Ganglion variations occurred in 32.0% (237/740), predominantly at G3 (29.8%) and G4 (42.6%). In 5 indocyanine green-enhanced patients, the concordance rate between white-light and near-infrared fluorescence imaging was 100.0% (38/38). Video analysis of 14 near-infrared fluorescence-guided surgeries demonstrated a 99.1% (107/108) consistency rate. Postoperative palmar hyperhidrosis improvement reached 100.0% (100/100) with no Horner’s syndrome. Conclusion With the wide clinical application of high-definition thoracoscopy, accurate thoracic sympathicotomy has the feasibility of clinical application.

Objective To analyze Chinese and English publications pertaining to Oncomelania hupensis control from 2005 to 2024, so as to decipher the research status and hotspots of O. hupensis control. Methods Chinese and English publications pertaining to O. hupensis control from 2005 to 2024 were retrieved in the Web of Science Core Collection Database and China National Knowledge Infrastructure. The annual number of publications was analyzed from 2005 to 2024, and the author and institution cooperation networks were mapped using the software CiteSpace 6.3.1. Keywords were extracted from publications to map the co-occurrence, burst and timeline of keywords to identify the research hotspots of O. hupensis control. Results A total of 158 English publications and 771 Chinese publications were included for bibliometric analyses. The overall output of English publications was relatively small from 2005 to 2024, the annual average publication was 7.90 publications. Parasites & Vectors was the most productive journal by the number of publications (21 publications). The three most productive authors included Li Shizhu (24 publications), Zhou Xiaonong (13 publications), and Yang Kun (12 publications), and the three most productive institutions included Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (49 publications), the WHO (27 publications), and Fudan University (25 publications). The annual average number of Chinese publications was high from 2005 to 2015 (57.73 publications), and reduced to 15.11 publications during the period from 2016 to 2024, with Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control as the most productive journal (241 publications). The three most productive authors included Wang Wanxian (18 publications), Sun Qixiang (16 publications), and Dai Jianrong (16 publications), and the three most productive institutions included Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases (55 publications), Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (47 publications), and Hubei Uni-versity (38 publications). Among the 158 English publications, molluscicidal effect, climate change, geographic information, biological control, machine learning were current research hotspots, and the Yangtze River and elimination were emerging research hotspots. Among the 771 Chinese publications, molluscicidal effect, niclosamide, comprehensive management, molluscicide, effectiveness evaluation, marshland, and endophyte were current research hotspots, and the future research hotspots shifted to molluscicidal effect and pyriclobenzuron. Conclusions Limited attention is paid to the research on O. hupensis control across the world. The Yangtze River, elimination, molluscicidal effect, and pyriclobenzuron may be future research hotspots. High attention is recommended to be paid to the research on O. hupensis control, and development of diverse approaches for O. hupensis control is of urgent needs. We should continue to attach importance to the control research of O. hupensis and strengthen the exploration of diverse snail extermination and control methods.

Objective To explore the effect of a shared care applied to pregnancy care among pregnant women with hypertensive disorder of pregnancy(HDP).Methods A total of 88 pregnant women with HDP who received ob-stetric check-ups in a tertiary A-level matemity hospital in Nanjing City from January to October 2023 were conve-niently selected as the research subjects.According to the order of obstetric examinations,44 pregnant women with HDP from June to October 2023 were selected as an experimental group,and 44 pregnant women with HDP from January to May 2023 were selected as a control group.The experimental group received the shared care clinic management model,and the control group received the routine management.The scores of the rate of blood pres-sure attainment,the incidence of disease progression,the questionnaire on knowledge of HDP,the Hypertension Self-Management Scale,the Pregnancy-Related Anxiety Scale,and the Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire were compared between the 2 groups.Results 41 patients in the experimental group and 39 patients in the control group com-pleted the study.After the intervention,the blood pressure compliance rate of pregnant women with HDP in the experimental group was 95.12％,higher than 79.49％in the control group.The incidence of disease progression was 7.32％,lower than 25.64％in the control group.HDP Knowledge Questionnaire score(25.24±4.07),Hypertension Self-Management Scale score(114.39±14.89),and Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire score(19.56±1.14)were higher than that of the control group.The score of Pregnancy-Related Anxiety Scale was(18.02±2.15),lower than(23.18±9.58)in the control group.The score of Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire was(19.56±1.14),higher than that(17.26±2.25)in the control group.The differences were statistically significant(P＜0.001).Conclusion The shared care clinic model can improve HDP pregnant women's blood pressure control compliance,HDP knowledge,and self-management,reduce the incidence of disease progression,pregnancy-related anxiety,and improve satisfaction,which provides a reference for optimising the HDP management model.

Objective To investigate the correlation between dual-energy computed tomography angiography(CTA)parameters of carotid plaques and acute stroke events.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical and imaging data of patients who underwent dual-energy head and neck CTA and brain MRI scans.Utilizing the Siemens workstation(Syngo.Via VB40B),region of interest(ROI)were placed on the thickest slice of the carotid plaque in the axial plane to obtain parameters such as fat fraction(FF),virtual non-contrast(VNC)value,iodine concentration(IC),electron density(Rho),effective atomic number(Zeff),dual energy index(DEI),spectral curve,and corresponding CT values at 40 keV(40 keVHU)and 90 keV(90 keVHU).The slope of the energy spectrum curve(λ)was calculated within the 40 keV-90 keV range.Patients with acute cerebral infarction(ACI)in the ipsilateral anterior circulation territory were classified into the ACI group,while those without were classified into the non-acute cerebral infarction(NACI)(NACI group).Qualitative data were analyzed using the x2 test,and quantitative data were analyzed using the t-test.The predictive performance was assessed using the area under the curve(AUC)of the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve,and the differences between different ROC curves were compared using the DeLong test.Results A total of 72 patients were included,with 21 in the ACI group and 51 in the NACI group.The mean values of FF,Zeff,and 40 keVHU in the ACI group were greater than those in the NACI group.Statistically significant differences were observed between the groups for Zeff,DEI,40 keVHU,and λ(P＜0.05).40 keVHU demonstrated the highest predictive performance,and the AUC,sensitivity,and specificity was 0.789,81.0％,and 74.5％,respectively.A combined variable constructed through logistic regression analysis yielded an AUC,sensitivity,and specificity of 0.796,85.7％,and 70.6％,respectively,with no significant statistical differences compared to single factor variables.Conclusion Dual-energy CTA parameters of carotid plaques may aid in predicting intraplaque hemorrhage(IPH)and the occurrence of acute stroke events.

To construct a recombinant fowl adenovirus 4(FAdV-4)expressing the Cap protein of goose astrovirus genotype 2(GoAstV-2),the expression cassette of Cap gene was inserted into the natural 1 966 bp deletion region of the FAdV-4 genome in the infectious clone p15A-cm-FAdV4-HNJZ.The resulted recombinant plasmid p15A-cm-FAdV4-HNJZ-Cap/GoAstV-2 was linearized with restriction enzyme and transfected into chicken hepatoma cell line(LMH)to rescue the recombinant FAdV-4 expressing the Cap protein of GoAstV-2,rF Ad V4-Cap/GoAstV-2.After 15 passages in LMH cells,the recombinant rFAdV4-Cap/GoAstV-2 was identified by PCR using primers flanking the insertion site of the Cap gene expression cassette and using viral genome DNA extracted from rFAdV4-Cap/GoAstV-2 infected LMH cells as template.LMH cells were in-fected with 15th passage rFAdV4-Cap/GoAstV-2 and indirect immunofluorescence was performed with a polyclonal antibody against Cap protein as the primary antibody.Western blot was carried out with lysates of rFAdV4-Cap/GoAstV-2 infected LMH cells.The in vitro replication dynamic of the 15th passage of the rFAdV4-Cap/GoAstV-2 was also investigated in LMH cells.The results demonstrated that the Cap gene of GoAstV-2 was presented in the genome of the recombinant vi-rus rF AdV4-Cap/Go Ast V-2,and could be expressed stably.The prepared recombinant virus in this study will lay a foundation for developing inactivated bivalent vaccine candidate against co-in-fection of FAdV-4 and GoAstV-2 in goose.

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of WeChat group integrating with BOPPPS instructional model in the standardized training of nurses in an orthopedics department.Methods A total of 56 nurses in orthopedical standardized training from a hospital were selected and divided into a control group(28 nurses from September 2022 to August 2023)and an interven-tion group(28 nurses trained via WeChat groups and the BOPPPS model from September 2023 to August 2024).The two groups were compared in terms of their final assessment scores,critical thinking,and self-directed learning capabilities.Results After training,the intervention group had significantly higher scores in the final assessment,all items of the California Critical Thinking Disposition Inventory,and all dimensions of the Learning Ability Assessment Scale compared to the control group(all P＜0.05).Conclusion WeChat groups combined with the BOPPPS teaching mode effectively improves the self-directed learning ability,critical thinking skills,and assessment results of orthopedic nurses.

Objective:To explore the clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of fumarate hydratase-deficient uterine leiomyoma (FH-dUL).Methods:Clinical data and follow-up information for 117 patients with FH-dUL diagnosed through surgical pathology and immunohistochemistry in the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from January 2020 to December 2024, were collected. A control group of 130 patients with common uterine leiomyomas was also included. The differences between the two groups in clinical, imaging, and pathological characteristics were compared. Additionally, recurrence rates, fertility outcomes for FH-dUL patients, and the incidence of renal cancer in FH germline mutation carriers were monitored.Results:(1) Comparison of clinicopathological characteristics: the median age of 117 FH-dUL patients was 35 years, and the median age at first diagnosis of uterine leiomyomas was 29 years, both significantly younger than the control group (41 and 36 years; both P<0.01). The FH-dUL group showed significantly higher incidences of uterine myomectomy, multiple leiomyomas, diffusion restriction on pelvic magnetic resonance imaging diffusion weighted imaging, and typical pathological features (candelabra-like vessels, bizarre nuclei, cytoplasmic eosinophilic globules, perinuclear halo, cellular atypia) and higher ultrasound blood flow score (all P<0.05). Of the 30 FH-dUL patients who underwent genetic testing, 9 had germline mutations, 3 had somatic mutations, and 6 had mutations of unclear origin. Among the 9 FH gene germline mutation patients, 2 had already developed renal cell carcinoma. (2) Recurrence analysis: among the 56 patients who underwent uterine myomectomy, 22 (39.3%, 22/56) experienced recurrence during follow-up, compared to 12 (21.8%, 12/55) of the 55 patients in the control group, the difference between the two groups was statistically significant ( P=0.046). Multivariate binary logistic regression analysis showed that cellular leiomyomas ( OR=9.489, 95% CI: 1.740-51.755; P=0.009) and multiple uterine leiomyomas ( OR=10.709, 95% CI: 1.354-84.683; P=0.025) were significant risk factors for recurrence in FH-dUL. (3) Fertility analysis: among the 66 FH-dUL patients who underwent fertility-preserving surgery, 16 had the intention to have fertility desire, only 2 (2/16) completed their fertility plans during follow-up. Conclusions:Clinicopathological features and imaging features help to differentiate FH-dUL from common type uterine fibroids, but lack specificity, and the diagnosis of FH-dUL is based on immunohistochemistry. The recurrence rate after resection of FH-dUL is high, and cellular and multiple leiomyomas are important predictors of recurrence. It is crucial to perform genetic testing, genetic counseling, drug treatment to prevent recurrence, fertility guidance, and long-term comprehensive management after surgery for FH-dUL management.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the dynamic changes of glucocorticoid (GC) dose and the feasibility of GC discontinuation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients under the background of Chinese medicine (CM). METHODS: This multicenter retrospective cohort study included 1,196 RA patients enrolled in the China Rheumatoid Arthritis Registry of Patients with Chinese Medicine (CERTAIN) from September 1, 2019 to December 4, 2023, who initiated GC therapy. Participants were divided into the Western medicine (WM) and integrative medicine (IM, combination of CM and WM) groups based on medication regimen. Follow-up was performed at least every 3 months to assess dynamic changes in GC dose. Changes in GC dose were analyzed by generalized estimator equation, the probability of GC discontinuation was assessed using Kaplan-Meier curve, and predictors of GC discontinuation were analyzed by Cox regression. Patients with <12 months of follow-up were excluded for the sensitivity analysis. RESULTS: Among 1,196 patients (85.4% female; median age 56.4 years), 880 (73.6%) received IM. Over a median 12-month follow-up, 34.3% (410 cases) discontinued GC, with significantly higher rates in the IM group (40.8% vs. 16.1% in WM; P<0.05). GC dose declined progressively, with IM patients demonstrating faster reductions (median 3.75 mg vs. 5.00 mg in WM at 12 months; P<0.05). Multivariate Cox analysis identified age <60 years [P<0.001, hazard ratios (HR)=2.142, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.523-3.012], IM therapy (P=0.001, HR=2.175, 95% CI: 1.369-3.456), baseline GC dose ⩽7.5 mg (P=0.003, HR=1.637, 95% CI: 1.177-2.275), and absence of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs use (P=0.001, HR=2.546, 95% CI: 1.432-4.527) as significant predictors of GC discontinuation. Sensitivity analysis (545 cases) confirmed these findings. CONCLUSIONS RA patients receiving CM face difficulties in following guideline-recommended GC discontinuation protocols. IM can promote GC discontinuation and is a promising strategy to reduce GC dependency in RA management. (Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, No. NCT05219214).
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy* ; Glucocorticoids/therapeutic use* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Retrospective Studies

Immunotherapy has emerged as a revolutionary approach to treat immune-related diseases. Dendritic cells (DCs) play a pivotal role in orchestrating immune responses, making them an attractive target for immunotherapeutic interventions. Modulation of gene expression in DCs using genome editing techniques, such as the CRISPR-Cas system, is important for regulating DC functions. However, the precise delivery of CRISPR-based therapies to DCs has posed a significant challenge. While lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) have been extensively studied for gene editing in tumor cells, their potential application in DCs has remained relatively unexplored. This study investigates the important role of cholesterol in regulating the efficiency of BAMEA-O16B lipid-assisted nanoparticles (BLANs) as carriers of CRISPR/Cas9 for gene editing in DCs. Remarkably, BLANs with low cholesterol density exhibit exceptional mRNA uptake, improved endosomal escape, and efficient single-guide RNA release capabilities. Administration of BLAN_mCas9/gPD-L1 results in substantial PD-L1 gene knockout in conventional dendritic cells (cDCs), accompanied by heightened cDC1 activation, T cell stimulation, and significant suppression of tumor growth. The study underscores the pivotal role of cholesterol density within LNPs, revealing potent influence on gene editing efficacy within DCs. This strategy holds immense promise for the field of cancer immunotherapy, offering a novel avenue for treating immune-related diseases.

As the brain's resident immune cells, microglia perform crucial functions such as phagocytosis, neuronal network maintenance, and injury restoration by adopting various phenotypes. Dynamic imaging of these phenotypes is essential for accessing brain diseases and therapeutic responses. Although numerous probes are available for imaging pro-inflammatory microglia, no PET tracers have been developed specifically to visualize anti-inflammatory microglia. In this study, we present an ¹⁸F-labeled PET tracer (QTFT) that targets the P2Y₁₂, a receptor highly expressed on anti-inflammatory microglia. [¹⁸F]QTFT exhibited high binding affinity to the P2Y₁₂ (14.43 nmol/L) and superior blood-brain barrier permeability compared to other candidates. Micro-PET imaging in IL-4-induced neuroinflammation models showed higher [¹⁸F]QTFT uptake in lesions compared to the contralateral normal brain tissues. Importantly, this specific uptake could be blocked by QTFT or a P2Y₁₂ antagonist. Furthermore, [¹⁸F]QTFT visualized brain lesions in mouse models of epilepsy, glioma, and aging by targeting the aberrantly expressed P2Y₁₂ in anti-inflammatory microglia. In a pilot clinical study, [¹⁸F]QTFT successfully located epileptic foci, showing enhanced radioactive signals in a patient with epilepsy. Collectively, these studies suggest that [¹⁸F]QTFT could serve as a valuable diagnostic tool for imaging various brain disorders by targeting P2Y₁₂ overexpressed in anti-inflammatory microglia.