Integrated medical curriculum is an important direction for the development of medical education. While integrated theoretical courses have been practiced for many years, integrated experiments are still in the exploratory stage. Taking the integrated experiments of medical microbiology and immunology in Xi'an Jiaotong University as an example, this article introduces the design concept, implementation details, effectiveness evaluation, improvements, and prospects of integrated experiments established based on clinical practice principles, so as to provide a reference for further optimization of integrated experiments in the future.

Objective To investigate the effects of different contrast injection schemes on the image quality of triple-rule-out com-puted tomography angiography(TRO-CTA).Methods A total of 691 patients with acute chest pain who underwent TRO-CTA exami-nation from multiple centers were prospectively selected and randomly divided into mixed group and unmixed group according to dif-ferent contrast injection methods.The image quality of aorta,pulmonary artery and coronary artery in the two groups was evaluated subjectively and objectively and the radiation dose was calculated.Results There were no significant differences in subjective image quality scores,aorta and coronary CT values,signal-to-noise ratio(SNR)and contrast-to-noise ratio(CNR)between the two groups(P>0.05),while there were significant differences in pulmo-nary CT values,SNR,CNR and radiation dose between the two groups(P<0.05).Conclusion The utilization of a mixed contrast injection scheme in TRO-CTA can satisfy diagnostic require-ments while ensuring a low proportional dosage and reduced radiation dose,which has clinical application value.

Objectives:To investigate the prognostic value of the CHA2DS2-VASc and R2CHA2DS2-VASc scores in patients with atrial fibrillation(AF)and heart failure(HF).Methods:Patients with AF and HF from hospitals diagnosed by the Heart Failure Center in Guangdong Province between January 2017 and December 2021 were selected.Major adverse cardiovascular events(MACE)were used as the follow-up endpoint.Statistical methods such as the area under the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve(AUC),net reclassification index(NRI),and integrated discrimination improvement(IDI)were applied to evaluate the predictive value of the CHA2DS2-VASc and R2CHA2DS2-VASc scores in patients with AF and HF.Results:A total of 1 839 patients were enrolled in this study,comprising 703 patients in the MACE group and 1 136 patients in the non-MACE group.Compared with the non-MACE group,the MACE group exhibited significantly advanced age,higher prevalence of New York Heart Association class Ⅳ and coronary artery disease,lower diastolic blood pressure and estimated glomerular filtration rate levels,and elevated serum N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide concentrations(all P<0.05).Additionally,significantly lower proportions of patients in the MACE group received angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers/angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitors,beta-blockers,mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists,or anticoagulant therapy(all P<0.05).Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that each 1-point increment in both CHA2DS2-VASc and R2CHA2DS2-VASc scores was associated with approximately 10%increased risk of MACE.ROC curve analysis demonstrated that the AUC values for predicting MACE in AF patients with HF were 0.555(95%CI:0.528-0.582,P<0.001)for CHA2DS2-VASc and 0.576(95%CI:0.549-0.608,P<0.001)for R2CHA2DS2-VASc,indicating marginally superior discriminatory capacity of the R2CHA2DS2-VASc score.Delong's test confirmed statistically significant differences between the two scoring systems(P=0.001).The R2CHA2DS2-VASc score demonstrated a NRI of 0.259(95%CI:0.166-0.352,P<0.001)and an IDI of 0.007(95%CI:0.005-0.010,P<0.001)compared with the conventional CHA2DS2-VASc score.Although the R2CHA2DS2-VASc score exhibited slightly better predictive accuracy and outcome discrimination capacity than the original scoring system,both scores demonstrated suboptimal clinical predictive performance.Conclusions:Both the R2CHA2DS2-VASc and CHA2DS2-VASc scores show suboptimal performance for predicting the risk of MACE in patients with AF and HF,and the predicting performance of R2CHA2DS2-VASc score is marginally superior to CHA2DS2-VASc score in this patient cohort.

Objective:To establish criteria for diagnosing lymph node metastasis (LNM) in newly diagnosed papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) patients based on 18F-FDG PET/MR and evaluate its diagnostic efficiency. Methods:The data of 14 patients with PTC (all females, age (38.8±13.5) years) who underwent 18F-FDG PET/MR and ultrasound sequentially 2 weeks before surgery at the First Affiliated Hospital of the Air Force Medical University from May 2021 to August 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Visual and semi-quantitative assessments were performed on all patients step by step (Ⅱ-Ⅵ area) and neck by neck (left, right, and central area). The dimensions of all suspected lymph nodes were measured on T 2 weighted imaging (WI)-MRI and SUV max was measured on PET. Taking postoperative pathology as the reference standard, the independent risk factors for predicting LNM were determined by multivariate logistic regression analysis, and the diagnostic efficiency of each model was evaluated by ROC curve analysis. Results:A total of 21 macroscopic regions of lymph nodes(15 were malignant, 6 were benign) and 178 lymph nodes (120 were malignant, 58 were benign) were cleared by surgery. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that SUV max (odds ratio ( OR)=1.865, 95% CI: 1.323-2.630, P<0.001) and short diameter on MRI (SD-MRI) ( OR=1.752, 95% CI: 1.189-2.580, P=0.005) were independent predictors of LNM. The cut-off value of SD-MRI in predicting LNM was 5.7mm (AUC=0.812, Youden index (YI)=0.463). For the SD-MRI cut-off values ≥5.7 or <5.7mm, the corresponding SUV max cut-off values were 1.6 and 1.8, respectively. When " dual threshold" quantitative criteria (SD-MRI≥5.7mm + SUV max≥1.6 or SD-MRI<5.7mm + SUV max≥1.8) was used as the diagnostic criteria of 18F-FDG PET/MR, the AUC and YI could be improved to 0.909 and 0.818. Based on the regional level analysis, sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of LNM diagnosis by ultrasound, MRI, and 18F-FDG PET/MR " dual threshold" criteria were 11/15 vs 12/15 vs 13/15, 5/6 vs 3/6 vs 5/6, 76.2%(16/21) vs 71.4%(15/21) vs 85.7%(18/21), respectively. Conclusion:Compared with the ultrasound and MRI, the 18F-FDG PET/MR " dual threshold" criteria exhibits higher sensitivity and accuracy in determining the scope of LNM clearance for PTC patients.

Objective:To compare and analyze the efficacy of bilateral and unilateral posterior vocal cord resection with CO 2 laser under endoscopy in the treatment of bilateral vocal cord paralysis. Methods:This case series study retrospectively analyzed the data of 110 patients with bilateral vocal cord paralysis who underwent endoscopic CO 2 laser posterior cordotomy at the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, from October 2016 to January 2023. The cohort consisted of 36 males [mean age (45.5±9.1) years, range 24-72 years] and 74 females [mean age (47.2±10.1) years, range 22-67 years]. Among them, 47 patients underwent simultaneous bilateral posterior cordotomy (bilateral cordotomy group), while 63 patients underwent unilateral posterior cordotomy (unilateral cordotomy group). Pre-and postoperative indicators, including swallowing function, glottal size, and vocal function (subjective and objective assessments), were compared between the two surgical approaches. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to analyze changes in swallowing function, glottal size, and vocal function (subjective and objective assessments) within each group before and after surgery, whereas the Mann-Whitney U test was utilized to assess differences between groups. Results:Postoperative follow-up was 1-5 years [median follow-up time was 1.6 (1.3, 2.0) years].The one-time extubation rate was 71.4%(45/63)in the unilateral posterior vocal cord resection group and 87.2%(41/47)in the bilateral posterior vocal cord resection group, significantly higher in the bilateral group ( χ2=3.94, P<0.05). One week after surgery, the swallowing function score of unilateral cordotomy group was 2 (1, 2.5) points, which was significantly better than that of bilateral cordotomy group [2 (1.5, 3) points, Z=-2.118, P<0.05], and the swallowing function score of both groups returned to normal 3 months after surgery. There were no significant differences in preoperative glottic closure during inhalation, auditory perceptual evaluation (GRBAS), objective voice analysis, and Voice Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10) between the two groups ( P>0.05). Postoperatively, the maximum transverse diameter of the posterior glottis during inspiration in the unilateral cordotomy group was 4.49 (4.24, 4.77) mm, significantly smaller than that in the bilateral cordotomy group, which was 5.05 (4.52, 5.62) mm ( Z=-4.103, P<0.05). Among the GRBAS parameters, G (grade of hoarseness), B (breathiness), and A (asthenia), as well as VHI-10 scores and objective voice analysis parameters [jitter, shimmer, harmonic-noise ratio (HNR), and maximum phonation time (MPT)], were significantly better in the unilateral cordotomy group compared to the bilateral cordotomy group, with statistically significant differences ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Unilateral posterior vocal cord resection using CO 2 laser is simple and feasible for the treatment of bilateral vocal cord paralysis, with shorter recovery time, maximal preservation of laryngeal phonatory function, and fewer complications compared to bilateral resection. However, the one-time extubation rate is higher with bilateral resection, reducing the need for a second surgery and associated patient discomfort. This study offers guidance for clinical decision-making in the surgical management of bilateral vocal cord paralysis.

Objectives:To investigate the prognostic value of the CHA2DS2-VASc and R2CHA2DS2-VASc scores in patients with atrial fibrillation(AF)and heart failure(HF).Methods:Patients with AF and HF from hospitals diagnosed by the Heart Failure Center in Guangdong Province between January 2017 and December 2021 were selected.Major adverse cardiovascular events(MACE)were used as the follow-up endpoint.Statistical methods such as the area under the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve(AUC),net reclassification index(NRI),and integrated discrimination improvement(IDI)were applied to evaluate the predictive value of the CHA2DS2-VASc and R2CHA2DS2-VASc scores in patients with AF and HF.Results:A total of 1 839 patients were enrolled in this study,comprising 703 patients in the MACE group and 1 136 patients in the non-MACE group.Compared with the non-MACE group,the MACE group exhibited significantly advanced age,higher prevalence of New York Heart Association class Ⅳ and coronary artery disease,lower diastolic blood pressure and estimated glomerular filtration rate levels,and elevated serum N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide concentrations(all P<0.05).Additionally,significantly lower proportions of patients in the MACE group received angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers/angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitors,beta-blockers,mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists,or anticoagulant therapy(all P<0.05).Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that each 1-point increment in both CHA2DS2-VASc and R2CHA2DS2-VASc scores was associated with approximately 10%increased risk of MACE.ROC curve analysis demonstrated that the AUC values for predicting MACE in AF patients with HF were 0.555(95%CI:0.528-0.582,P<0.001)for CHA2DS2-VASc and 0.576(95%CI:0.549-0.608,P<0.001)for R2CHA2DS2-VASc,indicating marginally superior discriminatory capacity of the R2CHA2DS2-VASc score.Delong's test confirmed statistically significant differences between the two scoring systems(P=0.001).The R2CHA2DS2-VASc score demonstrated a NRI of 0.259(95%CI:0.166-0.352,P<0.001)and an IDI of 0.007(95%CI:0.005-0.010,P<0.001)compared with the conventional CHA2DS2-VASc score.Although the R2CHA2DS2-VASc score exhibited slightly better predictive accuracy and outcome discrimination capacity than the original scoring system,both scores demonstrated suboptimal clinical predictive performance.Conclusions:Both the R2CHA2DS2-VASc and CHA2DS2-VASc scores show suboptimal performance for predicting the risk of MACE in patients with AF and HF,and the predicting performance of R2CHA2DS2-VASc score is marginally superior to CHA2DS2-VASc score in this patient cohort.

Objective To investigate the effects of different contrast injection schemes on the image quality of triple-rule-out com-puted tomography angiography(TRO-CTA).Methods A total of 691 patients with acute chest pain who underwent TRO-CTA exami-nation from multiple centers were prospectively selected and randomly divided into mixed group and unmixed group according to dif-ferent contrast injection methods.The image quality of aorta,pulmonary artery and coronary artery in the two groups was evaluated subjectively and objectively and the radiation dose was calculated.Results There were no significant differences in subjective image quality scores,aorta and coronary CT values,signal-to-noise ratio(SNR)and contrast-to-noise ratio(CNR)between the two groups(P>0.05),while there were significant differences in pulmo-nary CT values,SNR,CNR and radiation dose between the two groups(P<0.05).Conclusion The utilization of a mixed contrast injection scheme in TRO-CTA can satisfy diagnostic require-ments while ensuring a low proportional dosage and reduced radiation dose,which has clinical application value.

Integrated medical curriculum is an important direction for the development of medical education. While integrated theoretical courses have been practiced for many years, integrated experiments are still in the exploratory stage. Taking the integrated experiments of medical microbiology and immunology in Xi'an Jiaotong University as an example, this article introduces the design concept, implementation details, effectiveness evaluation, improvements, and prospects of integrated experiments established based on clinical practice principles, so as to provide a reference for further optimization of integrated experiments in the future.

Objective:To establish criteria for diagnosing lymph node metastasis (LNM) in newly diagnosed papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) patients based on 18F-FDG PET/MR and evaluate its diagnostic efficiency. Methods:The data of 14 patients with PTC (all females, age (38.8±13.5) years) who underwent 18F-FDG PET/MR and ultrasound sequentially 2 weeks before surgery at the First Affiliated Hospital of the Air Force Medical University from May 2021 to August 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Visual and semi-quantitative assessments were performed on all patients step by step (Ⅱ-Ⅵ area) and neck by neck (left, right, and central area). The dimensions of all suspected lymph nodes were measured on T 2 weighted imaging (WI)-MRI and SUV max was measured on PET. Taking postoperative pathology as the reference standard, the independent risk factors for predicting LNM were determined by multivariate logistic regression analysis, and the diagnostic efficiency of each model was evaluated by ROC curve analysis. Results:A total of 21 macroscopic regions of lymph nodes(15 were malignant, 6 were benign) and 178 lymph nodes (120 were malignant, 58 were benign) were cleared by surgery. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that SUV max (odds ratio ( OR)=1.865, 95% CI: 1.323-2.630, P<0.001) and short diameter on MRI (SD-MRI) ( OR=1.752, 95% CI: 1.189-2.580, P=0.005) were independent predictors of LNM. The cut-off value of SD-MRI in predicting LNM was 5.7mm (AUC=0.812, Youden index (YI)=0.463). For the SD-MRI cut-off values ≥5.7 or <5.7mm, the corresponding SUV max cut-off values were 1.6 and 1.8, respectively. When " dual threshold" quantitative criteria (SD-MRI≥5.7mm + SUV max≥1.6 or SD-MRI<5.7mm + SUV max≥1.8) was used as the diagnostic criteria of 18F-FDG PET/MR, the AUC and YI could be improved to 0.909 and 0.818. Based on the regional level analysis, sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of LNM diagnosis by ultrasound, MRI, and 18F-FDG PET/MR " dual threshold" criteria were 11/15 vs 12/15 vs 13/15, 5/6 vs 3/6 vs 5/6, 76.2%(16/21) vs 71.4%(15/21) vs 85.7%(18/21), respectively. Conclusion:Compared with the ultrasound and MRI, the 18F-FDG PET/MR " dual threshold" criteria exhibits higher sensitivity and accuracy in determining the scope of LNM clearance for PTC patients.

Objective:To compare and analyze the efficacy of bilateral and unilateral posterior vocal cord resection with CO 2 laser under endoscopy in the treatment of bilateral vocal cord paralysis. Methods:This case series study retrospectively analyzed the data of 110 patients with bilateral vocal cord paralysis who underwent endoscopic CO 2 laser posterior cordotomy at the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, from October 2016 to January 2023. The cohort consisted of 36 males [mean age (45.5±9.1) years, range 24-72 years] and 74 females [mean age (47.2±10.1) years, range 22-67 years]. Among them, 47 patients underwent simultaneous bilateral posterior cordotomy (bilateral cordotomy group), while 63 patients underwent unilateral posterior cordotomy (unilateral cordotomy group). Pre-and postoperative indicators, including swallowing function, glottal size, and vocal function (subjective and objective assessments), were compared between the two surgical approaches. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to analyze changes in swallowing function, glottal size, and vocal function (subjective and objective assessments) within each group before and after surgery, whereas the Mann-Whitney U test was utilized to assess differences between groups. Results:Postoperative follow-up was 1-5 years [median follow-up time was 1.6 (1.3, 2.0) years].The one-time extubation rate was 71.4%(45/63)in the unilateral posterior vocal cord resection group and 87.2%(41/47)in the bilateral posterior vocal cord resection group, significantly higher in the bilateral group ( χ2=3.94, P<0.05). One week after surgery, the swallowing function score of unilateral cordotomy group was 2 (1, 2.5) points, which was significantly better than that of bilateral cordotomy group [2 (1.5, 3) points, Z=-2.118, P<0.05], and the swallowing function score of both groups returned to normal 3 months after surgery. There were no significant differences in preoperative glottic closure during inhalation, auditory perceptual evaluation (GRBAS), objective voice analysis, and Voice Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10) between the two groups ( P>0.05). Postoperatively, the maximum transverse diameter of the posterior glottis during inspiration in the unilateral cordotomy group was 4.49 (4.24, 4.77) mm, significantly smaller than that in the bilateral cordotomy group, which was 5.05 (4.52, 5.62) mm ( Z=-4.103, P<0.05). Among the GRBAS parameters, G (grade of hoarseness), B (breathiness), and A (asthenia), as well as VHI-10 scores and objective voice analysis parameters [jitter, shimmer, harmonic-noise ratio (HNR), and maximum phonation time (MPT)], were significantly better in the unilateral cordotomy group compared to the bilateral cordotomy group, with statistically significant differences ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Unilateral posterior vocal cord resection using CO 2 laser is simple and feasible for the treatment of bilateral vocal cord paralysis, with shorter recovery time, maximal preservation of laryngeal phonatory function, and fewer complications compared to bilateral resection. However, the one-time extubation rate is higher with bilateral resection, reducing the need for a second surgery and associated patient discomfort. This study offers guidance for clinical decision-making in the surgical management of bilateral vocal cord paralysis.