BACKGROUND:Fibromyalgia syndrome,as a common rheumatic disease,is related to central sensitization and immune abnormalities.However,the specific mechanism has not been elucidated,and there is a lack of specific diagnostic markers.Exploring the possible pathogenesis of this disease has important clinical significance. OBJECTIVE:To screen the potential diagnostic marker genes of fibromyalgia syndrome and analyze the possible immune infiltration characteristics based on bioinformatics methods,such as weighted gene co-expression network analysis(WGCNA),and machine learning. METHODS:Gene expression profiles in peripheral serum of fibromyalgia syndrome patients and healthy controls were obtained from the gene expression omnibus(GEO)database.The differentially co-expressed genes were screened in the expression profile by differential analysis and WGCNA analysis.Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator(LASSO)and support vector machine-recursive feature elimination(SVM-RFE)machine learning algorithm were further used to identify hub biomarkers,and draw receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC)to evaluate the accuracy of diagnosing fibromyalgia syndrome.Finally,single sample gene set enrichment analysis(ssGSEA)and gene set enrichment analysis(GSEA)were used to evaluate the immune cell infiltration and pathway enrichment in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Eight down-regulated differentially expressed genes(DEGs)were obtained after differential analysis of the GSE67311 dataset according to the conditions of log2|(FC)|>0 and P<0.05.After WGCNA analysis,497 genes were included in the module(MEdarkviolet)with the highest positive correlation(r=0.22,P=0.04),and 19 genes were included in the module(MEsalmon2)with the highest negative correlation(r=-0.41,P=6×10-5).After intersecting DEGs and the module genes of WGCNA,seven genes were obtained.Four genes were screened out by LASSO regression algorithm and five genes were screened out by SVM-RFE machine learning algorithm.After the intersection of the two,three core genes were identified,which were germinal center associated signaling and motility like,integrin beta-8,and carboxypeptidase A3.The areas under the ROC curve of the three core genes were 0.744,0.739,and 0.734,respectively,indicating that they have good diagnostic value and can be used as biomarkers for fibromyalgia syndrome.The results of immune infiltration analysis showed that memory B cells,CD56 bright NK cells,and mast cells were significantly down-regulated in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome compared with the control group(P<0.05),and were significantly positively correlated with the above three biomarkers(P<0.05).The enrichment analysis suggested that there were nine fibromyalgia syndrome enrichment pathways,mainly related to olfactory transduction pathway,neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction,and infection pathway.The above results showed that the occurrence and development of fibromyalgia syndrome are related to the involvement of multiple genes,abnormal immune regulation,and multiple pathways imbalance.However,the interactions between these genes and immune cells,as well as their relationships with various pathways need to be further investigated.

Objective: To analyze the implementation status and challenges of sex education in special education schools, so as to provide a scientific basis for formulating effective promotion strategies. Methods: From November 2023 to January 2024, a census survey was conducted among 120 in service teachers from 7 special education schools in Luzhou. The questionnaire covered the current status of sex education in schools, teachers attitudes and knowledge toward sex education, and their coping methods for students inappropriate sexual behaviors. Results: About 77.5% of teachers reported having provided sex education to students, but 93.2% indicated a lack of specialized sex education textbooks for special children, 90.4% reported no full time teachers for sex education, and the methods of sex education were relatively limited (50.0% mainly based on lecture method). Nearly 95.8% of teachers held a positive attitude toward sex education, with 98.3% supporting its implementation. Only 26.7% of teachers demonstrated a good grasp of sex education knowledge, with the best understood topic being "recognition and protection of private parts" (21.6%). When dealing with students inappropriate sexual behaviors, the active response rate of teachers was 23.9%, with the highest active response rate observed for "intentionally hugging or kissing the opposite sex" (39.7%). Conclusions The special education schools in Luzhou lack comprehensive sex education curricula, teaching materials and full time teachers, sufficient knowledge among teachers, and adequate proactive responses to students inappropriate sexual behaviors. Greater emphasis should be placed on sex education for special children, including the training of dedicated teachers, to provide comprehensive and high quality sex education services for special children.

Objective: To analyze the distribution characteristics of immunoglobulin A (IgA) concentration in Nanning Zhuang blood donors by measuring the concentration of plasma IgA. Methods: Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed to measure the absorbance of 2 000 plasma samples from Zhuang blood donors. The IgA concentration in samples was calculated using the ELISA Calc regression/fitting technology program. Results: The standard curve demonstrated that ELISA detection of plasma IgA concentration exhibited good precision. The frequency of IgA deficiency was 0/2 000. No statistically significant difference in the distribution of IgA concentration was observed between males and females (P>0.05). The distribution of IgA concentration varied significantly across age groups: younger individuals (18-39 years old) had lower plasma IgA levels (mg/dL) compared to older individuals (40-56 years old): 5-89.99 mg/dL group, 8.80% (176/2 000) vs 17.20% (344/2 000); 90-450 mg/dL group,20.65% (413/2 000) vs 51.20% (1 024/2 000); >450 mg/dL group, 0.45%, (9/2 000) vs 1.70% (34/2 000), P<0.05. No significant difference in IgA concentration was found among different ABO blood types in Zhuang blood donors (P>0.05). Spearman correlation analysis revealed a positive correlation between age and IgA concentration (R =0.114, P<0.05). Conclusion: No individuals with IgA deficiency were screened out among the Zhuang blood donors in Nanning area, and plasma IgA levels progressively increase with age.

Objective To observe the value of intratumoral and peritumoral CT radiomics for evaluating KRAS gene status in patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma.Methods Totally 245 patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma were retrospectively enrolled and divided into mutant group(n=139)and wild group(n=106)according to KRAS gene status,also divided into training set(n=171)and test set(n=74)at a ratio of 7∶3.Clinical data were compared between groups,and clinical factors were screened with logistic regression analysis to establish a clinical model.Based on enhanced venous phase CT images,intratumoral volume of interest(VOI),peritumoral VOI,and intratumoral+peritumoral VOI were delineated,radiomics features were extracted,and radiomics models were constructed.The combination model was constructed based on the best radiomics model combined with clinical factors.The value of each model for evaluating KRAS gene status in patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma was analyzed.Results Significant differences of patients’gender and carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA)were found between mutant group and wild group(both P＜0.05),which were independent impact factors of KRAS gene status in patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma(both P＜0.05).The area under the curve(AUC)of clinical model for evaluating KRAS gene status in patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma in training set and test set was 0.633 and 0.658,respectively.Intratumoral+peritumoral 3 mm model was the best radiomics model,with AUC of 0.921 and 0.894 in training set and test set,respectively.AUC of the combination model in training set and test set was 0.949 and 0.956,respectively.In training set,significant differences of AUC were found between clinical model and intratumoral+peritumoral 3 mm model,also between clinical model and combination model(both P＜0.001),while in test set,significant differences of AUC were found between each two models(all P＜0.05).Conclusion Intratumoral+peritumoral 3 mm radiomics based on enhanced venous phase CT could help to evaluate KRAS gene status in patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma.Combining with patients’gender and CEA could further improve efficacy of this model.

Objective:To explore the clinical effectiveness of functional magnetic stimulation (FMS) of the sacral nerve root in the treatment of diabetic neurogenic bladder (DNB).Methods:A total of 134 DNB patients were divided into an observation group and a control group, each of 67. Both groups were given conventional drug therapy and bladder function training, while the observation group was additionally provided with sacral nerve root FMS for 4 weeks. The urine and urine flow dynamics of both groups were tested before and after the experiment.Results:After treatment the average daily volume of single urination had increased significantly in both groups and the average daily urinations and incidence of incontinence had decreased significantly. The observation group′s average single urination volume was then significantly greater than that of the control group. The observation group′s average daily urinations (8.87±1.42) and incontinence incidents (3.04±1.93) were then significantly fewer than the control group′s. After the treatment the detrusor pressure at maximum flow, bladder sense initial volition and residual urine volume of both groups had decreased significantly compared with before the treatment, while their average maximum flow rates had increased significantly. But the observation group′s averages were in all cases significantly better than those of the control group. The treatment′s total effectiveness rate among the observation group (88%) was significantly better than among the control group (72%).Conclusions:Supplementing routine bladder function training with FMS applied to the root of the sacral nerve can further promote the regaining of bladder function among DNB patients, improve their urinary flow dynamics and improve their quality of life. Such combination therapy is worthy of clinical promotion and application.

Objective To observe the correlations of chest CT quantitative parameters in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(AECOPD)with blood eosinophil(EOS)level.Methods Chest CT data of 162 AECOPD patients with elevated eosinophils were retrospectively analyzed.The patients were divided into low EOS group(n=105)and high EOS group(n=57)according to the absolute counting of blood EOS.The quantitative CT parameters,including the number of whole lung bronchi and the volume of blood vessels,low-attenuation area percentage(LAA％)of whole lung,of left/right lung and each lobe of lung,as well as the luminal diameter(LD),wall thickness(WT),wall area(WA)and WA percentage of total bronchial cross-section(WA％)of grade 3 to 8 bronchi were compared between groups.Spearman correlations were performed to analyze the correlations of quantitative CT parameters with blood EOS level.Results LAA％of the whole lung,of the left/right lung and each lobe of lung,as well as of the upper lobe of right lung LDgrade4,middle lobe of right lung WTgrade5,upper lobe of right lung WAgrade4,middle lobe of right lung WAgrade5 and lower lobe of left lung WAgrade3 in low EOS group were all higher than those in high EOS group(all P＜0.05).Except for the upper lobe of right lung LDgrade4,the above quantitative CT indexes being significant different between groups were all weakly and negatively correlated with blood EOS level(r=-0.335 to-0.164,all P＜0.05).Conclusion Chest CT quantitative parameters of AECOPD patients were correlated with blood EOS level,among which LAA％,a part of WT and WA were all weakly negatively correlated with blood EOS level.

Objective To observe the value of contrast-enhanced CT radiomics combined with clinical and hematology indicators for predicting lymph node(LN)metastasis(LNM)of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC).Methods Totally 218 ESCC patients were retrospectively enrolled.Stage pN1 and pN2 were clustering as LNM(n=90),while stage pN0 were taken as non-LNM(n=128).The patients were divided into training set(n=174)and test set(n=44)at the ratio of 8∶2.In training set,clinical and LN imaging features which could be used to independently judge LNM were screened and a clinical-imaging model was constructed.The hematological indicators that might be associated with ESCC LNM were screened,and a hematological model was constructed.Radiomics features in LN ROI and ESCC volume of interest(VOI)were extracted based on venous-phase contrast-enhanced CT images,and those might be associated with LNM were screened,and a radiomics model was constructed.Finally a combined model was constructed based on all the above features.The efficacy of each model for diagnosing LNM was evaluated with the area under the curve(AUC)of receiver operating characteristic curves,and the clinical net benefit was evaluated using decision curve analysis(DCA).Results Body mass index(BMI)and internal necrosis of target LN were both independent judging factors for ESCC LNM(both P＜0.05),and AUC of clinical-imaging model for diagnosing LNM in training and test sets was 0.747 and 0.687,respectively.Seven hematological indicators were included in hematological model,and AUC in training and test sets was 0.623 and 0.583,respectively.Ten LN radiomics features and 15 ESCC radiomics features were included in radiomics model,and AUC in training and test sets was 0.769 and 0.745,respectively.AUC of the combined model for diagnosing LNM in training and test sets was 0.822 and 0.739,respectively,better than other models in training set(all P＜0.05),but no significantly different in test set(all P＞0.05).DCA showed that combined model had higher net gain than the other models in 0.55-0.80 threshold probability interval.Conclusion Combined model based on venous-phase contrast-enhanced CT radiomics and clinical and hematology indicators could relatively effectively evaluate ESCC LNM,which might bring some promotions in clinical benefit.

Purpose To investigate the diagnostic value of postsystolic shortening in ischemia with non-obstructive coronary arteries(INOCA).Materials and Methods A total of 85 INOCA patients admitted to People's Hospital of Liaoning Province from May 2020 to December 2022 were selected and divided into two groups according to the ratio of distal diastolic average blood velocity of left anterior descending branch before and after treatment obtained by thymosidine load echocardiography(coronary flow velocity reserve,CFVR):CFVR<2.0 was in the coronary microvascular dysfunction(CMD)group(n=40),and CFVR≥2.0 was in the control group(n=45).Conventional echocardiographic parameters of all enrolled subjects were measured:left ventricular end-diastolic diameter index(LVEDDI),left ventricular end-diastolic volume index(LVEDVI),left ventricular end-systolic volume index(LVESVI),left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF),early and late mitral valve diastolic blood flow velocity(E,A),E/A,average velocity of mitral valve annulus and interventricular septum in early diastolic(e')and E/e'on the wall and septal side were measured.The global longitudinal strain(GLS)and the post systolic index(PSI)of the left ventricle were measured by two-dimensional speckle tracking automated functional imaging.The differences of echocardiographic parameters,GLS and PSI between CMD group and control group were observed.The relationship between CFVR and PSI in CMD group was analyzed.Results There were no significant differences in LVEDDI,LVEDVI,LVESVI,LVEF,E,A,E/A,e',E/e'and GLS between control group and CMD group(t=-0.577-1.472,P>0.05).There was a statistically significant difference in PSI increase between CMD group and control group(t=-5.370,P<0.05).There was a good correlation between CFVR and PSI in CMD group(r=-0.486,P<0.05).The receiver operator characteristic curve showed that the area under the curve predicted by PSI for CMD was 0.786,the sensitivity was 68.0%,and the specificity was 77.8%.Conclusion PSI has good application value in evaluating left ventricular systolic function in INOCA patients,and can detect left ventricular systolic function injury in such patients at an early stage.

Objective:To evaluate the regeneration and biomechanical property recovery of semitendinosus tendon(ST)/gracilis tendon(GT) after anterior cruciate ligament(ACL) reconstruction using shear wave elastorgraphy (SWE) combined with high-frequency ultrasound(HFUS).Methods:Twenty-five patients who underwent ST/GT autograft reconstruction after ACL rupture at the People′s Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region from January 2020 to June 2022 were prospectively enrolled. All patients underwent HFUS, SWE and flexion strength assessment at pre-operation and 1, 3, 6, 12, 24 months postoperatively. The morphology, length, cross-sectional area and SWE of ST/GT and flexion strength of knee were recorded at each time point. Repeated measures analysis of variance was employed to compare the cross-sectional area and elasticity value of regenerated ST/GT at different time points. Spearman correlation analysis was used to investigate the relationship between the elasticity value of regenerated ST/GT and flexion strength.Results:The regeneration rates of ST/GT after being harvested for ACL reconstruction were 88% and 92%. The length of the regenerated ST/GT were shorter than before operation(both P<0.05). Repeated measures analysis of variance revealed significant differences in the cross-sectional area of regenerated ST/GT, both in terms of time effect and inter-group effect ( F=27.264, 28.980; both P<0.001), but no significant difference was observed in the interaction effect ( F=0.670, P=0.652). The cross-sectional area of regenerated ST/GT was the largest at 3 months postoperatively ( P<0.05), and restored to the preoperative level at 12 and 24 months postoperatively (both P>0.05). Repeated measures analysis of variance showed that the elasticity values of the regenerated ST/GT were significantly different in terms of time effect, group effect, and interaction effect ( F=265.402, 33.015, 11.475; all P<0.001). The elasticity of regenerated ST/GT post-operation gradually increased over time. The flexion strength level of knee gradually improved post-operation(χ 2=34.83, P<0.001). The elasticity values of the regenerated ST and GT showed significant positive correlations with the flexion strength ( rs=0.755, 0.761; both P<0.001). Conclusions:HFUS discovers that most of ST/GT can be regenerated after being harvested for ACL reconstruction. The flexion strength and elasticity value of regenerated tendon recover gradually with time. It is suggested that the SWE can predict the recovery of biomechanical property of regenerated ST/GT.

Non-infectious uveitis, an autoimmune disease that can cause severe visual impairment, can be difficult to treat. According to the prevailing hypothesis, the immune-mediated imbalance that contributes to non-infectious uveitis is primarily driven by CD4+T cells. However, recent research has shown that B cells also play a significant role in this process, participating in various ways such as antibody production, antigen presentation, and cytokine secretion in both human uveitis and experimental autoimmune uveitis models. Therapies targeting B cells have been used extensively in various autoimmune diseases. Rituximab, a B-cell inhibitor, is effective in treating noninfectious uveitis that is unresponsive to conventional corticosteroid and immunosuppressive therapy. This paper provides an overview of the involvement of B cells in non-infectious uveitis and their potential use in cellular therapies, aiming to further investigate the mechanisms and develop more effective strategies for prevention and treatment.