Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an intelligent handheld ultrasound (US) device for assisting non-expert general practitioners (GPs) in detecting carotid plaques (CPs) in community populations. Methods: This prospective parallel controlled trial recruited 111 consecutive community residents. All of them underwent examinations by non-expert GPs and specialist doctors using handheld US devices (setting A, setting B, and setting C). The results of setting C with specialist doctors were considered the gold standard. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and the features of CPs were measured and recorded. The diagnostic performance of GPs in distinguishing CPs was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Inter-observer agreement was compared using the intragroup correlation coefficient (ICC). Questionnaires were completed to evaluate clinical benefits. Results: Among the 111 community residents, 80, 96, and 112 CPs were detected in settings A, B, and C, respectively. Setting B exhibited better diagnostic performance than setting A for detecting CPs (area under the curve, 0.856 vs. 0.749; P<0.01). Setting B had better consistency with setting C than setting A in CIMT measurement and the assessment of CPs (ICC, 0.731 to 0.923). Moreover, measurements in setting B required less time than the other two settings (44.59 seconds vs. 108.87 seconds vs. 126.13 seconds, both P<0.01). Conclusion Using an intelligent handheld US device, GPs can perform CP screening and achieve a diagnostic capability comparable to that of specialist doctors.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an intelligent handheld ultrasound (US) device for assisting non-expert general practitioners (GPs) in detecting carotid plaques (CPs) in community populations. Methods: This prospective parallel controlled trial recruited 111 consecutive community residents. All of them underwent examinations by non-expert GPs and specialist doctors using handheld US devices (setting A, setting B, and setting C). The results of setting C with specialist doctors were considered the gold standard. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and the features of CPs were measured and recorded. The diagnostic performance of GPs in distinguishing CPs was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Inter-observer agreement was compared using the intragroup correlation coefficient (ICC). Questionnaires were completed to evaluate clinical benefits. Results: Among the 111 community residents, 80, 96, and 112 CPs were detected in settings A, B, and C, respectively. Setting B exhibited better diagnostic performance than setting A for detecting CPs (area under the curve, 0.856 vs. 0.749; P<0.01). Setting B had better consistency with setting C than setting A in CIMT measurement and the assessment of CPs (ICC, 0.731 to 0.923). Moreover, measurements in setting B required less time than the other two settings (44.59 seconds vs. 108.87 seconds vs. 126.13 seconds, both P<0.01). Conclusion Using an intelligent handheld US device, GPs can perform CP screening and achieve a diagnostic capability comparable to that of specialist doctors.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an intelligent handheld ultrasound (US) device for assisting non-expert general practitioners (GPs) in detecting carotid plaques (CPs) in community populations. Methods: This prospective parallel controlled trial recruited 111 consecutive community residents. All of them underwent examinations by non-expert GPs and specialist doctors using handheld US devices (setting A, setting B, and setting C). The results of setting C with specialist doctors were considered the gold standard. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and the features of CPs were measured and recorded. The diagnostic performance of GPs in distinguishing CPs was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Inter-observer agreement was compared using the intragroup correlation coefficient (ICC). Questionnaires were completed to evaluate clinical benefits. Results: Among the 111 community residents, 80, 96, and 112 CPs were detected in settings A, B, and C, respectively. Setting B exhibited better diagnostic performance than setting A for detecting CPs (area under the curve, 0.856 vs. 0.749; P<0.01). Setting B had better consistency with setting C than setting A in CIMT measurement and the assessment of CPs (ICC, 0.731 to 0.923). Moreover, measurements in setting B required less time than the other two settings (44.59 seconds vs. 108.87 seconds vs. 126.13 seconds, both P<0.01). Conclusion Using an intelligent handheld US device, GPs can perform CP screening and achieve a diagnostic capability comparable to that of specialist doctors.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an intelligent handheld ultrasound (US) device for assisting non-expert general practitioners (GPs) in detecting carotid plaques (CPs) in community populations. Methods: This prospective parallel controlled trial recruited 111 consecutive community residents. All of them underwent examinations by non-expert GPs and specialist doctors using handheld US devices (setting A, setting B, and setting C). The results of setting C with specialist doctors were considered the gold standard. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and the features of CPs were measured and recorded. The diagnostic performance of GPs in distinguishing CPs was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Inter-observer agreement was compared using the intragroup correlation coefficient (ICC). Questionnaires were completed to evaluate clinical benefits. Results: Among the 111 community residents, 80, 96, and 112 CPs were detected in settings A, B, and C, respectively. Setting B exhibited better diagnostic performance than setting A for detecting CPs (area under the curve, 0.856 vs. 0.749; P<0.01). Setting B had better consistency with setting C than setting A in CIMT measurement and the assessment of CPs (ICC, 0.731 to 0.923). Moreover, measurements in setting B required less time than the other two settings (44.59 seconds vs. 108.87 seconds vs. 126.13 seconds, both P<0.01). Conclusion Using an intelligent handheld US device, GPs can perform CP screening and achieve a diagnostic capability comparable to that of specialist doctors.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an intelligent handheld ultrasound (US) device for assisting non-expert general practitioners (GPs) in detecting carotid plaques (CPs) in community populations. Methods: This prospective parallel controlled trial recruited 111 consecutive community residents. All of them underwent examinations by non-expert GPs and specialist doctors using handheld US devices (setting A, setting B, and setting C). The results of setting C with specialist doctors were considered the gold standard. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and the features of CPs were measured and recorded. The diagnostic performance of GPs in distinguishing CPs was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Inter-observer agreement was compared using the intragroup correlation coefficient (ICC). Questionnaires were completed to evaluate clinical benefits. Results: Among the 111 community residents, 80, 96, and 112 CPs were detected in settings A, B, and C, respectively. Setting B exhibited better diagnostic performance than setting A for detecting CPs (area under the curve, 0.856 vs. 0.749; P<0.01). Setting B had better consistency with setting C than setting A in CIMT measurement and the assessment of CPs (ICC, 0.731 to 0.923). Moreover, measurements in setting B required less time than the other two settings (44.59 seconds vs. 108.87 seconds vs. 126.13 seconds, both P<0.01). Conclusion Using an intelligent handheld US device, GPs can perform CP screening and achieve a diagnostic capability comparable to that of specialist doctors.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the therapeutic effects and underlying mechanisms of Dendrobium officinale (Tiepi Shihu) extract (DOE) on insomnia. METHODS: Forty-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 6 groups (n=7 per group): normal control, model control, melatonin (MT, 40 mg/kg), and 3-dose DOE (0.25, 0.50, and 1.00 g/kg) groups. Rats were raised in a strong-light (10,000 LUX) and -noise (>80 db) environment (12 h/d) for 16 weeks to induce insomnia, and from week 10 to week 16, MT and DOE were correspondingly administered to rats. The behavior tests including sodium pentobarbital-induced sleep experiment, sucrose preference test, and autonomous activity test were used to evaluate changes in sleep and emotions of rats. The metabolic-related indicators such as blood pressure, blood viscosity, blood glucose, and uric acid in rats were measured. The pathological changes in the cornu ammonis 1 (CA1) region of rat brain were evaluated using hematoxylin and eosin staining and Nissl staining. Additionally, the sleep-related factors gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glutamate (GA), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were measured using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Finally, we screened potential sleep-improving receptors of DOE using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) array and validated the results with quantitative PCR and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: DOE significantly improved rats' sleep and mood, increased the sodium pentobarbital-induced sleep time and sucrose preference index, and reduced autonomic activity times (P<0.05 or P<0.01). DOE also had a good effect on metabolic abnormalities, significantly reducing triglyceride, blood glucose, blood pressure, and blood viscosity indicators (P<0.05 or P<0.01). DOE significantly increased the GABA content in hippocampus and reduced the GA/GABA ratio and IL-6 level (P<0.05 or P<0.01). In addition, DOE improved the pathological changes such as the disorder of cell arrangement in the hippocampus and the decrease of Nissel bodies. Seven differential genes were screened by PCR array, and the GABA_A receptors (Gabra5, Gabra6, Gabrq) were selected for verification. The results showed that DOE could up-regulate their expressions (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSION DOE demonstrated remarkable potential for improving insomnia, which may be through regulating GABA_A receptors expressions and GA/GABA ratio.
Animals ; Dendrobium/chemistry* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Male ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders/blood* ; Plant Extracts/therapeutic use* ; Receptors, GABA-A/metabolism* ; Noise/adverse effects* ; Light/adverse effects* ; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid/metabolism* ; Sleep/drug effects* ; Rats ; Receptors, GABA/metabolism*

Objective To compare clinical effect between open reduction and fixation with cannulated screw and threaded rivet via posteromedial approach versus arthroscopic Endobutton plate fixation in treating posterior cruciate ligament avulsion fractures.Methods Clinical data of 38 patients with posterior cruciate ligament avulsion fractures from July 2020 to December 2021 were analyzed retrospectively,and divided into open reduction and internal fixation group(posterior medial approach hollow anchor system fixation)and arthroscopic fixation group(Endobutton with loop plate fixation under arthroscopy).There were 20 patients in open reduction and internal fixation group,including 16 males and 4 females,aged from 26 to 74 years old with an average of(42.9±18.8)years old;13 patients on the left side and 7 patients on the right side;12 patients were classi-fied to type Ⅱ and 8 patiens with type Ⅲ according to Meyers-McKeever fractures classification;14 patients were grade Ⅱ and 6 patients were grade Ⅲ in back drawer test.There were 18 patients in arthroscopic fixation group,including 11 males and 7 fe-males;aged from 24 to 70 years old with an average of(53.5±13.4)years old;11 patients on the left side and 7 patients on the right side;10 patients were classified to type Ⅱ and 8 patiens with type Ⅲ according to Meyers-McKeever fractures classifica-tion;11 patients were grade Ⅱ and 7 patients were grade Ⅲ in back drawer test.Operation time,blood loss,and quality of im-mediate reduction were compared between two groups.Knee range of motion,knee back drawer test,and International Knee Documentation Committee(IKDC)grading,KT2000 stability evaluation and Lysholm function score of knee joint were com-pared at 6 months after operation.Results All patients were followed up for 8 to 16 months with an average of(12.3±1.9)months.There were no complications such as incision infection,fracture malunion or non-union,and internal fixation loosening occurred.The avulsion fractures of knee joint were reached to imaging healing standard at 6 months after operation.Operation time and blood loss in open reduction and internal fixation group were(56.4±7.1)min and(63.2±10.2)ml,while(89.9±7.4)min and(27.7±8.7)ml in arthroscopic fixation group,respectively,and had significant difference between two groups(P＜0.05).There were no differences in immediate reduction quality(x2=0.257,P=0.612),knee joint range of motion at 6 months after opertaion(t=0.492,P=0.626),knee joint rear drawer test(x2=0.320,P=0.572),IKDC classification of knee joint(x2=0.127,P=0.938),KT2000stability evaluation(x2=0.070,P=0.791),and knee Lysholmfunction score(t=0.092,P=0.282)between two groups.Conclusion Posterior medial approach with hollow anchoring system fixation and arthroscopic Endobutton with loop plate fixa-tion for the treatment of posterior cruciate ligament tibial occlusion avulsion fracture could achieve satisfactory clinical results,and arthroscopic surgery has less bleeding,but also has a longer learning curve and longer operation time than traditional inci-sion surgery.The surgeon needs to make a choice according to clinical situation of patient and their own surgical inclination.

Background and aims:Liver cirrhosis is a complex disease that may result in increased morbidity and mortality following bariatric surgery(BS).This study aimed to explore the outcome of BS in patients with unexpected cirrhosis,focusing on postoperative complications and the progression of liver disease. Methods:A retrospective study of bariatric patients with cirrhosis from four centers in China between 2016 and 2023 was conducted,with follow-up for one year after BS.The primary outcome was the safety of BS in patients with unexpected cirrhosis,while the secondary outcome was the metabolic efficacy of BS in this group postoperatively. Results:A total of 47 patients met the study criteria,including 46 cases of Child-Pugh class A cirrhosis and 1 case of Child-Pugh B.Pathological examination confirmed nodular cirrhosis in 21 patients(44.68％),pseudolobule formation in 1 patient(2.13％),lipedema degeneration with inflammatory cell infiltration in 3 patients(6.38％),and chronic hepatitis in 1 patient(2.13％).The average percentage of total weight loss was 29.73±6.53％at one year postoperatively.During the 30-day postoperative period,the complication rate was 6.38％,which included portal vein thrombosis,gastrointestinal bleeding,and intra-abdominal infection.Moreover,no cases of liver decompensation or mortality were reported during the follow-up period.The remission rates of comorbidities among 41 patients one year after surgery were as fol-lows:dyslipidemia 100％,type 2 diabetes 82.61％,hypertension 84.62％,and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome 85.71％. Conclusions:BS can be safely performed in patients with unexpected cirrhosis in the compensated stage of liver disease,with low postoperative morbidity and no mortality observed during one-year follow-up.

Ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS) was used to rapidly identify the chemical components in Dracocephalum moldavica, and UPLC was employed to determine the content of its main components. MS analysis was performed using an electrospray ionization(ESI) source and data were collected in the negative ion mode. By comparing the retention time and mass spectra of reference compounds, and using a self-built compound database and the PubChem database, 68 compounds were identified from D. moldavica, including 36 flavonoids, 22 phenylpropanoids, 4 phenols, and 6 other compounds. On this basis, a UPLC quantitative method was established to simultaneously determine 8 main components, i.e., luteolin-7-O-glucuronide, apigenin-7-O-glucuronide, rosmarinic acid, diosmetin-7-O-glucuronide, tilianin, acacetin-7-O-glucuronide, acacetin-7-O-(6″-O-malonyl)-glucoside, and acacetin. A Waters ACQUITY BEH C_(18) column(2.1 mm × 100 mm, 1.7 μm) was used, with acetonitrile and a water solution containing 0.1% formic acid and 0.1% phosphoric acid as the mobile phase for gradient elution. The detection wavelength was set at 330 nm, with a flow rate of 0.4 mL·min~(-1), and the column temperature was maintained at 35 ℃. The 8 components demonstrated good linearity(r≥0.999 9) over a wide mass concentration range(50 or 100 times). The average recovery rate ranged from 97.5% to 105.1%, and the relative standard deviations(RSDs) were 0.90% to 3.4%(n= 6), indicating that the method was simple, accurate, and reliable. In 17 batches of D. moldavica samples, the content of these 8 components ranged from 0.405 to 2.10, 0.063 to 0.342, 0.446 to 2.43, 0.415 to 1.47, 1.57 to 4.34, 0.173 to 0.386, 1.00 to 5.40, and 0.069 to 0.207 mg·g~(-1), respectively. These results indicate significant differences in the internal quality of the samples, highlighting the need for strict quality control to ensure their pharmacodynamic efficacy. This study provides a scientific basis for the rapid discovery of pharmacodynamic substances, comprehensive quality control, and the formulation or revision of quality standards for D. moldavica.
Tandem Mass Spectrometry/methods* ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid/methods* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Lamiaceae/chemistry* ; Flavonoids/chemistry*

OBJECTIVE: To explore feasibility, clinical and imaging outcomes of percutaneous endoscopic interlaminar discectomy (PEID) for single level large lumbar disc herniation(LDH). METHODS: From October 2018 to March 2023, 31 patients with single level LDH treated with PEID were retrospectively analyzed. Among patients, including 18 males and 13 females, aged from 15 to 40 years old with an average of (28.5±7.4) years old;L_4,5 in 10 patients, L₅S₁ in 21 patients;14 patients on the left side, 17 patients on the right side;the courses of disease ranged from 3 to 19 months with an average of (6.8 ± 3.1) months. Operation time, blood loss, fluoroscopy times and hospital stay were observed. Visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to evaluate low back and leg pain, Oswestry disability index (ODI) was used to evaluate lumbar function, modified MacNab was used to evaluate clinical efficacy at the latest follow-up. Median sagittal diameter of spinal canal, effective sagittal diameter of spinal canal, spinal canal area, and dural sac area were used to evaluate spinal decompression. Anterior, middle, and posterior heights of intervertebral space were used to evaluate intervertebral space changes. RESULTS: All patients were performed spinal endoscopic surgery, operation time ranged from 30 to 71 min with an average of (48.7±14.2) min, blood loss ranged from 10 to 40 ml with an average of (21.1±7.0) ml, and intraoperative fluoroscopy times ranged from 4 to 7 with an average of (4.7±0.7). The hospital stay ranged from 3 to 8 days with an average of (5.1±1.3) days, and postoperative follow-up ranged from 12 to 34 months with an average of (16.9±4.1) months. VAS of low back pain before operation and 3, 6 months after operation, the latest follow-up were (6.2±1.8), (1.4±0.8), (1.9±0.7), (1.6±0.6), respectively;VAS of leg pain were (7.6±1.6), (1.8±0.9), (1.6±0.6), (1.4±0.7), respectively;ODI were (35.74±4.62), (6.68±1.78), (6.90±1.85), (7.10±1.94), respectively;postoperative lower back pain and leg pain VAS and ODI were significantly improved at all time points after operation (P<0.05). Postoperative VAS of low back pain at 6 months was higher than that of 3 months after operation (P<0.05). At the laest follow-up, 14 patients were excellent, 15 good, and 2 acceptable according to modified MacNab standard. Median diameters of spinal canal were (0.77±0.18) and (1.18±0.24) cm before operation and at the latest follow-up. The effective diameters of spinal canal were (0.48±0.17) and (0.89±0.23) cm, respectively. The vertebral canal areas were (0.90±0.22) and (1.68±0.43) cm², respectively. Dural sac areas were (0.41±0.10) and (0.81±0.24) cm², respectively. At the least follow-up, median diameter, effective diameter, area of spinal canal and dural sac were significantly increased compared with those before operation (P<0.05). Anterior vertebral space height before operation was (1.13±0.13) cm, and improved to (0.83±0.11) cm at the latest follow-up. Central height decreased from (0.81±0.20) cm before operation to (0.61±0.14) cm at the latest follow-up. The height of posterior margin decreased from (0.67±0.21) cm before operation to (0.46±0.15) cm at the latest follow-up (P<0.05). CONCLUSION PEID for giant LDH could effectively remove protruding giant nucleus pulposus tissue, and avoid injury to cauda equina nerve and nerve roots, which has good early clinical effect. However, the height of intervertebral space was obviously lost after operation.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement/surgery* ; Lumbar Vertebrae/surgery* ; Endoscopy/methods* ; Young Adult ; Adolescent ; Diskectomy, Percutaneous/methods* ; Retrospective Studies ; Nucleus Pulposus/surgery*