Otitis media is an infection of the middle ear mainly caused by bacteria, and current treatments rely heavily on antibiotics. However, the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains seriously affects their efficacy. In our study, we found that extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from human natural killer cells (NKs) inhibit the proliferation of both standard and levofloxacin (LVX)-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, compared to LVX, EVs were more effective at reducing effusion and rescuing hearing thresholds in animal models. For LVX-sensitive strains, EVs were significantly more effective in terms of curative time but not curative rate. For LVX-resistant strains, EVs were significantly more effective in terms of both curative rate and curative time when applied alone or applied jointly with LVX. In summary, we found that NK EVs are highly effective in treating otitis media, providing an alternative approach for treating this common disease.
Killer Cells, Natural/metabolism* ; Exosomes/metabolism* ; Animals ; Humans ; Otitis Media/therapy* ; Staphylococcus aureus/drug effects* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology* ; Levofloxacin/pharmacology*

Objective To observe the effect of in situ needle fenestration thoracic endovascular aortic repair(TEVAR)for treating aortic dissection(AD)involving aortic arch.Methods Data of 16 patients with AD involving aortic arch who underwent in situ needle fenestration TEVAR for reconstruction of aortic arch branches were retrospectively analyzed,and the number of fenestration,technical success rate and TEVAR related complications were recorded.Regular follow-up was conducted after TEVAR,the repair of dissection and the patency of fenestrated branch blood vessels were evaluated,the endoleak was assessed,and the survival of patients were recorded.Results The main aortic stent was successfully implanted in all 16 cases.Among them,4 received triple fenestration stent implantation in zones Z0,Z1 and Z2,6 received double fenestration stent implantation in zones Z1 and Z2,2 received double fenestration stent implantation in zones Z0 and Z1 and 4 received single fenestration stent implantation in zone Z2.The success rate of brachiocephalic trunk(BCT)fenestration was 83.33%(5/6).Left common carotid artery(LCCA)-right common carotid artery bypass was performed in 1 case without successful fenestration.The success rate of LCCA fenestration was 100%(12/12).The success rate of left subclavian artery(LSA)fenestration was 87.50%(14/16),2 cases with not successful fenestration were treated with axillar-axillary artery artificial vascular bypass.The technical success rate of intervention was 100%(16/16).Type Ⅰa endoleak occurred in 1 case during TEVAR process and improved after embolization with spring coil.One patient died of pericardial tamponade at the end of TEVAR.Fifteen patients were followed up for a median follow-up time of 20 months.During this period,transient ischemic attack and local small dissection at the proximal beginning of the main stent occurred each in 1 case,which improved after no special treatment.Type Ⅰ endoleak occurred in 1 case,type Ⅲ endoleak occurred in 2 cases,all improved after proximal fenestrated membrane stent implantation or spring coil embolization treatment.One case died of coronary heart disease.Conclusion In situ needle fenestration TEVAR was effective and safe for treating AD involving aortic arch.

ObjectiveTo investigate the menstrual conditions of women infected with COVID-19 in Shanghai and analyze the influencing factors. MethodsFrom December 2022 to March 2023， menstrual data from 281 women infected with COVID-19 in Shanghai were collected with a questionnaire survey， including usual menstrual characteristics， the most recent menstrual period post-infection， symptoms of infection， and medication usage. According to the crossover period between the menstrual period and the infection period of the respondents， the samples were divided into two groups for comparative analysis： those whose menstrual and infection periods overlapped （positive group） and those whose menstruation started after conversion to virus-negative （negative conversion group）. ResultsAmong the 281 respondents， 196 （65.8%） experienced menstrual changes. Among them， 145 （51.6%） had changes in menstrual volume， color and texture， and 109 （38.8%） had changes in menstrual duration or cycle. Decreased menstrual volume （22.1%）， darker color （23.49%）， thicker texture （21.0%）， increased blood clots （16.7%）， and prolonged duration （21.8%） were observed in both groups. The rate of changes in menstrual volume， color， and texture was higher in the positive group （56.8%， 69/110） than that in negative group （37.3%， 76/171） （P<0.05）. Regarding the menstrual cycle changes， the rate of early onset was higher in the positive group （14.5%） compared to the negative conversion group （3.5%）（P<0.05）， while the rate of delayed menstruation was higher in the negative conversion group （25.1%） than that in the positive group （5.5%） （P<0.05）. Correlation analysis showed a weak association between sore throat and menstrual changes （r=0.154， P<0.05）. ConclusionSome women infected with COVID-19 experience short-term changes in their menstrual conditions， characterized by reduced volume， darker color， thick texture， increased clots， and prolonged menstrual duration， reflecting a pathogenesis of blood stasis. Menstruation during the infection period tends to occur earlier， while delayed menstruation is more prevalent at post-conversion.

【Objective】 To study the correlation between platelet transfusion efficacy and KIR receptor-HLA ligand. 【Methods】 Thirty-three leukemia patients with positive HLA antibody were tested for cross-matching with donor platelets. Platelets from suitable donors were selected for transfusion, and the 24-hour platelet corrected count increment (CCI) was used to determine the transfusion effect. KIR and ligand genotyping were performed on blood samples from patients and donors by PCR-SSP method, and the relationship between platelet transfusion effects and KIR receptor-HLA ligand was analyzed. 【Results】 In 74 occasions of platelet transfusion, 42 were ineffective and 32 were effective. When the donor had C2 gene and HLA-B Bw4-80T gene, the frequency of ineffective platelet transfusion in the recipient was 69.0% (29/42) and 52.4% (22/35), respectively, which was significantly higher than that in the effective group [25.0% (8/32) and 25.0% (8/32)]. When the donor had C1 gene, and the frequency of effective platelet transfusion in the recipient was 100.0%(32/32), which was higher than that in the ineffective group [83.3%(35/42)]. When the recipient-donor matching mode was KIR2DL1-C2 and KIR3DL1-(HLA-B Bw4-80T), the frequency of ineffective platelet transfusion was 69.0%(29/42) and 40.5%(22/42),higher than that of the effective group [25% (8/32) and 18.8% (6/32)]. When the recipient-donor matching model was KIR2DL3-C1, the rate of effective platelet transfusion in 32 patients (100.0%), which was higher than that (35 patients 83. 3%) in the ineffective group. When the mismatch mode of recipient iKIR+donor HLA ligand receptor was KIR2DL1-C2, the frequency of effective platelet transfusion in the recipient was 78.1% (25/32), which was much higher than that in the ineffective group [31.0% (13/42)]. When the mismatch mode was KIR3DL1-(HLA-B Bw4-80T), the rate of effective platelet transfusion in the recipient was 68.8% (22/32), which was higher than that in the ineffective group (42.9%, 18/42). The difference between the above groups was statistically significant(P<0.05). 【Conclusion】 HLA-C1 and HLA-C2 genes are the key factors affecting the efficacy of platelet transfusion.For platelet refractorines, HLA-C1 is the protective gene, while HLA-C2 and HLA-B Bw4-80T are the susceptible genes. The recipient iKIR+donor HLA ligand receptor model may play an important role in platelet refractoriness.

Group A Streptococcus (GAS) is a very important pathogen, especially for children.On a global scale, GAS is an important cause of morbidity and mortality.But the burden of disease caused by GAS is still unknown in China and also has not obtained enough attention.For this purpose, the expert consensus is comprehensively described in diagnosis, treatment and prevention of GAS diseases in children, covering related aspects of pneumology, infectiology, immunology, microbiology, cardiology, nephrology, critical care medicine and preventive medicine.Accordingly, the consensus document was intended to improve management strategies of GAS disease in Chinese children.

Objective:To investigate the incidence rate, surgical rate and spontaneous cure of indirect inguinal hernia in children of Xinjiang region.Methods:Children, aged from 4?14 years, coming from 24 kindergartens, 18 primary schools and 9 junior middle schools of 3 countries and 5 cities in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region were recruited to participate as respondents. The survey time for baseline data collection was from May 2013 to June 2014 and the retrospective cross-sectional survey was conducted. Parents of children were investigated by questionnaire, and children were examined on site. Observation indicators: (1) results of questionnaire survey; (2) illness and treatment of children involved in the study; (3) follow-up. Follow-up was conducted using telephone interview. Children who had been diagnosed and not been treated surgically at the time of questionnaire survey were followed up to detect disease progression and treatment in the past 5 years. If the symptoms of a child had disappeared during follow-up, parents of the child should accompany the child to hospital for physical examination and B-ultrasound examination to confirm the diagnosis, and then follow-up was conducted by telephone interview. The follow-up was up to January 2020. Count data were described as absolute numbers and percentages, and compari-son between groups was conducted using the chi-square test. Odds ratio and 95% confidence interval were calculated. Results:(1) Results of questionnaire survey. A total of 19 132 question-naires were distributed, and 19 132 complete questionnaires were recovered. Of the 19 132 children who completed the questionnaire survey, there were 9 670 males and 9 462 females. (2) Illness and treatment of children involved in the study. ① Incidence of indirect inguinal hernia in children with different sexes. Of the 19 132 children, 498 cases were diagnosed as indirect inguinal hernia, including 368 boys and 130 girls, with the prevalence as 3.806%(368/9 670) and 1.374%(130/9 462), respectively. There was a significant difference in the prevalence of indirect inguinal hernia between boys and girls ( χ2=111.54, P<0.05). The proportion of boys and girls in children with indirect inguinal hernia was 73.896%(368/498) and 26.104%(130/498), respectively, with the ratio of 2.8:1. The prevalence of boys was higher than girls ( odds ratio=2.84, 95% confidence interval as 2.32?3.48).② Age of children at first onset. Of the 498 children with indirect inguinal hernia, 59 cases were aged 1?4 years at first onset including 54 boys and 5 girls, 264 cases were aged 5?8 years including 196 boys and 68 girls, 148 cases were aged 9?12 years including 104 boys and 44 girls, 27 cases were aged 13?14 years including 14 boys and 13 girls. There was a significant difference in the age of children at first onset between boys and girls ( χ2=17.33, P<0.05). ③ Pathogenic factors in children with indirect inguinal hernia. Of the 498 children with indirect inguinal hernia, 457 cases had complete family history and crying history, and 41 cases were missing. Family history: of the 457 children with indirect inguinal hernia who had complete family history, there were 175 cases with the family history of indirect inguinal hernia and 282 cases without the family history. Of the 478 healthy children surveyed in the same period, there were 25 cases with the family history and 453 cases without the family history. There was a significant difference in the family history between the 457 children with indirect inguinal hernia and the 478 healthy children ( χ2=515.89, P<0.05). Crying history: of the 457 children with indirect inguinal hernia who had complete crying history, there were 194 cases with obvious crying history and 263 cases without obvious crying history. Of the 496 healthy children surveyed in the same period, there were 99 cases with obvious crying history and 397 cases without obvious crying history. There was a significant difference in the crying history between the 457 children with indirect inguinal hernia and the 496 healthy children ( χ2=56.51, P<0.05). ④ Surgical treatment. Of the 498 children with indirect inguinal hernia, 233 cases underwent surgical treatment including 217 boys and 16 girls, 265 cases were followed up without surgical treatment including 151 boys and 114 girls. The surgical rate for indirect inguinal hernia in boys and girls was 58.967%(217/368) and 12.308%(16/130), respectively, showing a significant difference between them ( χ2=84.01, P<0.05). The operation ratio of boys and girls was 13.6:1, and the surgical rate of boys was higher than girls ( odds ratio=10.24, 95% confidence interval as 5.83?17.98). (3) Follow-up. All the 265 children without surgical treatment for indirect inguinal hernia were followed up for 5 years. During the follow-up, there were 142 of 151 boys with surgical treatment and 9 boys without surgical treatments, showing negative in spontaneous cure. There were 27 of 114 girls with surgical treatment and 87 girls without surgical treatment, showing 55 cases positive in spontaneous cure and 32 cases still with indirect inguinal hernia. There was a significant difference in spontaneous cure between the 151 boys and the 114 girls ( χ2=143.79, P<0.05). Conclusion:In Xinjiang region, the incidence rate and surgical rate of indirect inguinal hernia are lower in girls compared with boys, and the spontaneous cure rate is higher in girls compared with boys.

Cannulated Screw is a common internal fixation for the treatment of femoral neck fractures. However, the traditional implantation method has disadvantages such as inaccuracy and large radiation exposure. Based on the anatomical characteristics of the femoral neck and geometric principles, we develop a novel guide device for cannulated screws insertion. The cadaver experiment showed that it can improve the accuracy of cannulated screws implantation, reduce puncture attempts and the radiation exposure of doctors and patients.
Bone Screws ; Femoral Neck Fractures/surgery* ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; Humans ; Robotic Surgical Procedures

A 6-year-old girl presented with recurrent skin rash at the initial stage, recent joint pain, and neutrophilia was found during a routine blood test. After a multidisciplinary case discussion, she was diagnosed with chronic neutrophil leukemia, and the symptoms were relieved after hydroxyurea and luxolitinib treatment. She received the allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation subsequently. At present, she is in stable condition and under follow-up. Chronic neutrophil leukemia is a rare disease, which rarely occurs in children. It is more difficult to diagnose in patients with skin rash as the first manifestation. The diagnosis and treatment of this case reflects the important role of multidisciplinary cooperation in the diagnosis and treatment of difficult and rare diseases.

Objective:To investigate the value of neck circumference (NC) for identifying metabolic syndrome (MS) in patients with type 2 diabetes.Methods:a total of 413 type 2 diabetic patients (188 male and 225 female) in Qinhuangdao Chinese Medicine Hospital from August 2018 to July 2019 were recruited. Waist circumference (WC), NC and metabolic indicators were measured. The association between WC, NC and metabolic indicators was explored. Area under the curve (AUC) was used to evaluate the abilities of NC.Results:The average age of male was (55.35 ± 14.15) years, and the detection rate of MS was 74.47% (140/188). The average age of female was (60.19 ± 10.29) years, and the detection rate of MS was 71.11% (160/225). In male group, WC showed a negative correlation with age and high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) ( P<0.05); NC showed a negative correlation with glycated hemoglobin, total cholesterol (TC) and HDL-C ( P<0.05), and a positive correlation with diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ( P<0.05). In female group, WC showed a positive correlation with fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and systolic blood pressure (SBP), and a negative correlation with HDL-C; NC showed a positive correlation with FPG and SBP. WC and HC were good indexes for identifying metabolic syndrome in type 2 diabetes (WC: AUC male 0.862, female 0.870; NC: AUC male 0.745, female 0.752). After applying the ROC analysis, neck circumferences ≥ 34.5 cm in males and ≥ 31.75 cm in females were determined as the best cutoff values to predict MS in type 2 diabetes. Conclusions:NC is a helpful tool to detect MS in type 2 diabetes.