ObjectiveTo investigate the optimal termination time for acupuncture in treating patients with acute peripheral facial paralysis and its cost-effectiveness. MethodsA total of 120 eligible patients with acute-stage peri-pheral facial paralysis were randomly assigned to either the mild dysfunction termination group and the complete recovery termination group， with 60 patients in each group. Both groups received the standard acupuncture treatment protocol. Treatment in the mild dysfunction termination group was terminated when the Sunnybrook facial grade scale （SFGS） score first reached or exceeded 83 points， while that in the complete recovery termination group was terminated when the SFGS score first reached or exceeded 95 points. Assessments were conducted before treatment， 6 and 12 months after onset. SFGS， facial disability index （FDI） including physical function （FDIp） and social function （FDIs）， self-rating anxiety scale （SAS）， and self-rating depression scale （SDS） scores were assessed before treatment， and 6 and 12 months after onset. Any acupuncture-related adverse events during treatment were recorded for safety evaluation. Treatment sessions and medical costs including direct costs， indirect costs， insurance coverage， total societal costs， and patient out-of-pocket expenses were also recorded， and an economic evaluation was conducted including cost-effectiveness ratio （CER） and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio （ICER）. ResultsUltimately， 56 patients in the mild dysfunction termination group and 55 in the complete recovery termination group completed the follow-up. At 6 and 12 months after onset， SFGS and FDIp scores in both groups improved significantly while FDIs， SAS and SDS scores decreased （P＜0.05）. Comparison of scores between groups 6 months and 12 months after onset showed no statistically significant differences （P＞0.05）. During the trial， the incidence of adverse events was 13.3% （8/60） in the mild dysfunction termination group and 18.3% （11/60） in the complete recovery termination group， with no statistically significant difference （P＞0.05）. The number of treatment sessions， total social costs， and out-of-pocket expenses in the mild dysfunction termination group were significantly lower than those in the complete recovery termination group （P＜0.05）. The CER of the mild dysfunction termination group in SFGS， FDIp， FDIs， SAS， and SDS scores was lower than that of the complete recovery termination group. The ICER analysis showed that continuing treatment until full recovery incurred an additional cost of 573.30 CNY/point in SFGS improvement， whereas 1-point improvement in FDIp， FDIs， SAS， and SDS required 21,355.25 CNY， 1779.60 CNY， 3713.96 CNY， and 2755.52 CNY， respectively. ConclusionFor acupuncture in treating acute peripheral facial palsy， terminating treatment when mild dysfunction is achieved yields long-term efficacy comparable to that of continuing treatment until complete recovery， while significantly reducing medical costs and socioeconomic burden.

Objective To investigate the relationship between the threonine and tyrosine kinase(TTK)gene and eyelid basal cell carcinoma(BCC).Methods Bioinformatics methods were used to screen the core gene(namely,TTK)associated with the occurrence and development of BCC from the Gene Expression Omnibus(GEO)database.Surgically removed eyelid BCC tissue specimens(BCC cells were divided into BBC Grade Ⅰ,Ⅱ and Ⅲ groups by tumor grade)and be-nign tumor tissue specimens(Control group)were collected from Ziyang Central Hospital for subsequent experiments.Cel-lular immunofluorescence assay(CIA)was used to detect the expression of the TTK gene in benign and malignant eyelid tumor cells.After knocking down TTK in BCC cells through transfection with lentiviruses(the cells transfected with LV-TTK-shRNA were taken as the TTK-shRNA group,and those transfected with LV-BBC-shRNA were taken as the BBC nega-tive control group),CIA was used to detect the expression of key proteins Bcl-2 and Bax in the apoptotic signaling pathway of each group of cells.Results The bioinformatics analysis showed that the TTK gene was the core gene associated with the occurrence and development of eyelid BCC.CIA detection results revealed that the fluorescence signal intensities in the tumor cytoplasm of Control,BCC Grade Ⅰ,Ⅱ,and Ⅲ groups were 1.03±0.07,1.28±0.11,1.58±0.13 and 1.92±0.17,respectively.The fluorescence signal intensity gradually increased,and the difference in fluorescence signal intensity among the four groups was statistically significant(all P＜0.05).Compared with that in the Control group(1.02±0.05),the cell fluorescence intensity was increased in the BCC negative control group(1.74±0.12)and decreased in the TTK-shRNA group(1.31±0.09)(P＜0.05).The difference in cell fluorescence intensity was significant among the Control,BCC nega-tive control and TTK-shRNA groups(all P＜0.05).The fluorescence intensity of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 was 1.04±0.12 in the Control group,2.12±0.23 in the BCC negative control group,and 1.43±0.15 in the TTK-shRNA group.The fluorescence intensity of the pro-apoptotic protein Bax was 1.02±0.08 in the Control group,0.64±0.11 in the BCC negative control group,and 1.47±0.16 in the TTK-shRNA group.After TTK knockdown,the expression level of BcL-2 in BCC cells decreased,and that of Bax increased.The fluorescence intensities of BcL-2 and Bax were significantly different among the Control,BCC negative control and TTK-shRNA groups(all P＜0.05).Conclusion The TTK gene plays a role in the regulation of eyelid BCC cell proliferation,and this effect is closely related to the PI3K-AKT-Bcl-2/Bax signaling path-way.

Objective:To study the characteristics of metabolites in lower resPiratory tract between coal workers' pneumoconiosis patients and dust exposure patients, and compare the differences of metabolites and their main metabolic pathways.Methods:From December 2020 to February 2021, through a prospective cross-sectional study, a total of 26 patients with coal workers' pneumoconiosis (metabolic group of coal workers' pneumoconiosis) were selected from the bronchoalveolar lavage treatment of coal workers' pneumoconiosis and dust exposure in the Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine Department of the 920th Hospital of the Joint Logistics Support Force during the same period. With 19 cases of dust exposure as the control group (dust exposure metabolic group), samples of alveolar lavage fluid were collected from 2 groups. Metabolites of the two groups were quantitatively analyzed by metabonomics technology, and the characteristics of metabolites and their metabolic pathways were compared. The metabolites with potential predictive value were screened by receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC curve) .Results:Through metabolomic analysis of alveolar lavage fluid in the coal workers' pneumoconiosis group and the dust contact group, a total of 28 different metabolites were screened, including trihydroxybutyric acid, alanine, ethanolamine, L-osan, proline (carboxyl), leucine, 2-hydroxyglutaric acid, proline, lactic acid, serine, valine and threonine in the coal workers' pneumoconiosis group. The levels of differential metabolites such as ornithine, isoleucine, threitol, glucose and lysine were higher ( P<0.05). The levels of different metabolites such as sarcoine, pelanoic acid, palmitic acid, heptadecanoic acid, n-butylamine, tetradecanoic acid, isobutylamine, aminoadipic acid, phosphate, uracil and cytosine were higher in the dust exposure group ( P<0.05). Two major metabolic pathways include glycine, serine and threonine metabolism, arginine and proline metabolism, biotin metabolism, and aminoacyl biosynthesis metabolism. Among the 17 metabolites increased in the coal workers' pneumoconiosis group, the AUC of threitol and lactic acid was greater than 0.8, and the specificity and sensitivity of the working characteristic curves of the two metabolites were 80% and 70%, respectively. Conclusion:There were significant differences in the metabolites of lower respiratory tract between patients with coal workers' pneumoconiosis and those exposed to dust, and the differences were related to multiple metabolic pathways. Threitol and lactic acid may have potential predictive value for pneumoconiosis.

Objective:To analyze the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of pertussis cases identified through active surveillance.Methods:Active surveillance for pertussis was conducted in three sentinel hospitals in Yiwu, Zhejiang Province, and Yongcheng, Henan Province. The study population included cases that met the surveillance case definition and sought medical care at outpatient/emergency departments or were hospitalized between June 1, 2021, and May 31, 2022. Samples were collected for bacterial culture and PCR detection. Case information and clinical data were collected. Differences in rates were assessed using the chi-square test or Fisher's exact probability test, and the differences in cough time were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test. Results:Among 1 423 cases of pertussis surveillance, the positive rate of pertussis was 28.11% (400/1 423), with a median age of 5 years (interquartile range: 2, 8). The positive rate in Yongcheng, Henan Province, and Yiwu, Zhejiang Province were 39.27% (216/550) and 21.08% (184/873), respectively; the positive rate of pertussis was highest in July 2021, and the highest positive rate of pertussis was among those aged 10-14. The positive rate of pertussis in hospitalized cases was higher than in outpatient/emergency cases (26.68%) ( χ2=4.16, P=0.041). Among the 400 laboratory test-positive cases, the highest proportion of atypical symptom cases was in adults aged 20-59 (43.33%, 13/30). The specificity rates of apnea and worsening nocturnal cough in monitored cases under 3 months of age were 100.00% and 73.81%, respectively. Among monitored cases aged 3 months to 9 years, the proportions of symptoms including worsening nighttime cough (63.00%) and night sweats (4.59%) in test-positive cases were significantly higher than those in the test-negative group (47.77% and 0.56%, respectively), with statistically significant differences (both P<0.05). The specificity rates of worsened nighttime coughing and night sweats were 52.23% and 99.44%, respectively. Conclusions:The active surveillance results for pertussis showed that the 10-14 age group exhibited the highest positivity rate. Active surveillance enhanced the detection rate of pertussis. Among laboratory-confirmed cases, the proportion of atypical symptoms was the highest in adults, suggesting that laboratory testing should be combined to diagnose programs of pertussis. For infants under 3 months, worsening nighttime cough and apnea increase the diagnostic specificity, while for individuals aged 3 to 9 years old, worsening nighttime cough and night sweats increase the diagnostic specificity.

Objective:To evaluate the preventive effects of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) on chronic pain after lumbar spine surgery.Methods:This was a secondary analysis conducted on the studies assessing the effect of TEAS on gastrointestinal function in patients undergoing lumbar spinal surgery. Fifty lumbar spinal stenosis patients of either sex, aged 50-75 yr, with a body mass index of 18.5-28.0 kg/m 2, of American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status cassification Ⅰ or Ⅱ, with expected operation time≥3 h, undergoing lumbar spinal surgery under general anesthesia, were enrolled and assigned into 2 groups ( n=25 each) using a random number table method: control group (C group) and TEAS group. In group C, stimulating electrodes were placed at the non-acupoint parts of the limbs, but no electrical stimulation was applied. In group TEAS, the bilateral Neiguan (PC6), Hegu (L14), Zusanli (ST36), Shangjuxu (ST37) and Xiajuxu (ST39) were stimulated with disperse-dense waves at a frequency of 2/100 Hz. The intensity of stimulation was the maximum current that patients could tolerate. The intervention was performed once a day for 30 min per session at 30 min prior to anesthesia induction and on postoperative days 1-7. Telephone follow-ups were conducted at 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery to record the occurrence of postoperative moderate-to-severe lower back pain and leg pain (Numerical Rating Scale score ≥4), and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) value and four-item neuropathic pain questionnaire scores. The pain-related medical visits and usage of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were also recorded after surgery. Results:Three patients in each group were lost to follow-up. Compared with group C, the incidence of chronic low back pain was significantly decreased at 6-12 months after surgery, the ODI value and four-item neuropathic pain questionnaire scores were decreased at 12 months after surgery ( P<0.05), ODI value difference reached the minimal clinically important difference, the proportion of patients requiring medical visits due to postoperative pain and usage rate of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were decreased at 6-12 months after surgery ( P<0.05), and no significant change in the incidence of chronic moderate-to-severe leg pain was found at each time period after surgery in group TEAS( P>0.05). Conclusions:TEAS can prevent the occurrence of chronic lower back pain and improve functional impairment in patients undergoing lumbar spine surgery.

Objective We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Shengxuebao Mixture in the treatment of cancer-related anemia(CRA)presenting with syndrome of deficiency of liver and kidney combined with syndrome of deficiency of both qi and blood.Methods A randomized,double-blind,placebo-controlled,multicenter clinical trial was conducted.Eligible patients with malignant tumors meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria were enrolled from 26 hospitals,including Dongzhimen Hospital,Beijing University of Chinese Medicine,Xiaogan Central Hospital,and Yangzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine,from June 1,2022,to September 30,2024.Patients were allocated 1:1 to either the experimental group receiving Shengxuebao Mixture or the control group receiving its simulator(placebo)using a block randomization method under double-blind conditions.Both groups received 15 mL orally three times daily for 28 consecutive days.The primary efficacy indicators included the hemoglobin(Hb)improvement rate(RHb)and the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome improvement rate(RTCM)at week 4 of treatment.The secondary efficacy indicators encompassed Hb and red blood cell(RBC)count,Karnofsky Performance Status(KPS)score,TCM syndrome score,individual TCM symptom scores,and changes in each of these indicators compared to the baseline period at weeks 2,4,and 6 of treatment.Safety evaluations were conducted at week 4 of treatment.Results A total of 239 patients were enrolled,with 225 cases included in the Full Analysis Set(FAS)(109 in the experimental group vs.116 control group),163 in the Per Protocol Set(PPS)(77 vs.86),and 225 in the Safety Set(SS)(109 vs.116).Baseline characteristics between groups showed no significant differences.Significant differences were observed between the experimental and control groups in RHb at week 4(FAS:49.51%vs.35.24%,P<0.05;PPS:53.25%vs.36.05%,P<0.05)and RTCM at week 4(FAS:61.54%vs.39.62%,P<0.01;PPS:64.94%vs.40.70%,P<0.01).At weeks 2,4,and 6,the experimental group showed greater improvements in Hb and RBC counts than the control group.Additionally,the TCM syndrome scores were lower in the experimental group than in the control group at these time points.Except for week 2 in PPS,the KPS improvement was better in the experimental group than in the control group(P<0.05).The experimental group also demonstrated a greater reduction in scores for individual TCM symptoms such as spiritlessness and weakness,poor appetite and reduced food intake at weeks 4 and 6 compared to the control group(P<0.05,P<0.01).Furthermore,the reduction in vertigo score was more pronounced in the experimental group at week 6(P<0.01).For the score of pale and lusterless complexion,only in the PPS was the reduction from baseline more significant in the experimental group than in the control group at weeks 4 and 6(P<0.05).No significant differences were observed between the experimental and control groups in the incidence of all adverse events or drug-related adverse reactions.Conclusion Shengxuebao Mixture demonstrates significant efficacy in patients with CRA presenting syndrome of deficiency of liver and kidney combined with syndrome of deficiency of both qi and blood,effectively increasing Hb levels,ameliorating TCM syndromes,alleviating clinical symptoms,and enhancing functional status,with no significant difference in adverse drug reactions compared to the placebo.

Objective:To develop the Symptom Assessment Scale for Patients Undergoing Bladder Irrigation Chemotherapy and evaluate its reliability and validity.Methods:Based on the theory of unpleasant symptoms, a preliminary version of the Symptom Assessment Scale for Patients Undergoing Bladder Irrigation Chemotherapy was developed through literature analysis, semi-structured interviews, and the Delphi method. After revising certain items in the pre-survey, convenience sampling was used to select patients who underwent bladder instillation chemotherapy in the Department of Urology Surgery of three ClassⅢ Grade A hospitals in Yunnan Province from January to July 2024 as research subjects to test the reliability and validity of the scale.Results:A total of 168 questionnaires were distributed, and 162 valid questionnaires were collected, with a valid response rate of 96.429% (162/168). The Symptom Assessment Scale for Patients Undergoing Bladder Irrigation Chemotherapy covered two areas of symptom severity and symptom distress, comprising five dimensions and 27 items. The Cronbach's α coefficient for the total scale was 0.953, and the split-half reliability coefficient was 0.806. Exploratory factor analysis revealed that the four common factors for symptom severity contributed to 73.196% of the cumulative variance, while the single common factor for symptom distress accounted for 68.285% of the cumulative variance. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed that all indicators met the fit criteria, indicating that the model possessed good goodness-of-fit. The content validity index at the scale level was 0.940, while the content validity index at the item level ranged from 0.833 to 1.000.Conclusions:The Symptom Assessment Scale for Patients Undergoing Bladder Irrigation Chemotherapy developed in this study demonstrates good reliability and validity, and is suitable for evaluating symptoms in patients undergoing bladder infusion chemotherapy.

OBJECTIVE: To explore clinical effects of bone setting manipulation combined with pry reduction and Kirschner needle internal fixation in treating SandersⅡ-Ⅲ calcaneal fracture. METHODS: Clinical data of 52 patients with types Sanders Ⅱand Ⅲ calcaneal fracture (foot) treated with bone-setting manipulation combined with pry reduction and Kirscher needle internal fixation from July 2017 to July 2019 were retrospectively analyzed, including 43 males and 9 females, aged from 31 to 72 years old with an average of (50.83±10.48) years old; 15 patients with Sanders typeⅡ and 37 patients with Sanders type Ⅲ. The changes of Bühler angle, Gissane angle, calcaneus width and calcaneus height before operation and 24 months after operation were compared, and Maryland foot function score was performed to evaluate clinical effects. RESULTS: All patients were followed up from 24 to 60 months with an average of (41.50±9.86)months. The fracture healed normally and the healing time was (11.00±0.95) weeks. Bühler angle, Gissane angle, calcaneal bone width and calcaneal bone height were increased from (16.37±8.36)°, (96.27±9.62)°, (46.82±4.67) mm, (38.41±3.58) mm before operation to (31.48±8.24)°, (111.62±8.69)°, (42.06±4.83) mm, (44.21±3.82) mm at 24 months after operation, and the difference were statistically significant (P<0.01). Postoperative Maryland score at 24 months was (93.04±8.83), 40 patients got excellent result, 7 good and 5 fair. CONCLUSION Orthopedic manipulation combined with percutaneous reduction and Kirschner wire internal fixation could significantly improve Bühler angle, Gissane angle, width, and height of Sanders typeⅡ and Ⅲ calcaneal fractures, and the curative effect is satisfactory.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Calcaneus/surgery* ; Middle Aged ; Fracture Fixation, Internal/methods* ; Adult ; Aged ; Fractures, Bone/therapy* ; Retrospective Studies ; Bone Wires ; Manipulation, Orthopedic/methods*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the accuracy and safety of pedicle screw placement using 3D-printed auxiliary guides in scoliosis correction surgery for adolescents. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 51 patients who underwent posterior scoliosis correction surgery from January 2020 to March 2023. Among them, there were 35 cases of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis and 16 cases of congenital scoliosis. The patients were divided into two groups based on the auxiliary tool used:the 3D-printed auxiliary guide screw placement group (3D printing group) and the free-hand screw placement group (free-hand group, without auxiliary tools). The 3D printing group included 32 patients (12 males and 20 females) with an average age of (12.59±2.60) years;the free-hand group included 19 patients (7 males and 12 females) with an average age of (14.58±3.53) years. The two groups were compared in terms of screw placement accuracy and safety, spinal correction rate, intraoperative blood loss, number of intraoperative fluoroscopies, operation time, hospital stay, and preoperative and last follow-up scores of the Scoliosis Research Society-22 (SRS-22) questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 707 pedicle screws were placed in the two groups, with 441 screws in the 3D printing group and 266 screws in the free-hand group. All patients in both groups successfully completed the surgery. There was a statistically significant difference in operation time between the two groups (P<0.05). The screw placement accuracy rate of the 3D printing group was 95.46% (421/441), among which the Grade A placement rate was 89.34% (394/441);the screw placement accuracy rate of the free-hand group was 86.47% (230/266), with a Grade A placement rate of 73.31% (195/266). There were statistically significant differences in the accuracy of Grade A, B, and C screw placements between the two groups (P<0.05), while no statistically significant differences were observed in intraoperative blood loss, number of fluoroscopies, correction rate, or hospital stay (P>0.05). In the SRS-22 questionnaire scores, the scores of functional status and activity ability, self-image, mental status, and pain of patients in each group at the last follow-up were significantly improved compared with those before surgery (P<0.05), but there were no statistically significant differences in all scores between the two groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSION In scoliosis correction surgery, compared with traditional free-hand screw placement, the use of 3D-printed auxiliary guides for screw placement significantly improves the accuracy and safety of screw placement and shortens the operation time.
Humans ; Male ; Scoliosis/surgery* ; Female ; Adolescent ; Printing, Three-Dimensional ; Retrospective Studies ; Pedicle Screws ; Child