BACKGROUND:Crosslinked sodium hyaluronate gel has good mechanical property,biocompatibility,and biodegradability,and can be used as an isolated protective material in tumor radiation therapy to protect endangered organs from damage caused by excess radiation dose. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the safety and efficacy of crosslinked sodium hyaluronate gel in reducing the dose of radiation to dangerous organs during brachytherapy. METHODS:A total of 16 specific pathogen-free Kunming mice of the same age and similar body weight were selected as experimental subjects and divided into experimental group and control group by the random number table method,with 8 mice in each group.125I seeds were implanted subcutaneously in the back of mice in the experimental group,and then crosslinked sodium hyaluronate gel was injected around the radioactive particles.Only 125I seeds were implanted subcutaneously in the back of mice in the control group.After injection,the distance between the radioactive particles and the epidermis was measured by spiral CT scan,and the surface radiation dose was measured by radiation dosimeter.Within 10 weeks after injection,the growth state,survival rate,skin radiation damage,and gel retention of mice were observed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Spiral CT scan showed that the implanted gel was relatively concentrated and created an effective distance between the radioactive seeds and the epidermis.The body surface radiation dose of the experimental group was significantly lower than that of the control group(P<0.01).(2)During the experimental observation period,mice in both groups survived;mice in the control group showed obvious irritability and other unstable behavior in the late experimental period,and some mice in the experimental group showed similar behavior.The daily food intake of mice in the two groups had no significant change,and the body mass showed the same increasing trend.After implantation of radioactive seeds,the two groups of mice showed different degrees of radioactive skin injury.From day 23 after injection to the end of the experiment,the skin radiation injury score of the experimental group was lower than that of the control group(P<0.01).At week 10 after implantation,6 mice in the experimental group had no obvious gel residue under their skin,and 2 mice had a very small amount of scattered gel-like samples under their skin.(3)Therefore,the crosslinked sodium hyaluronate injection technique can increase the space between the radioactive target area of 125I seeds and the organ at risk outside the target through physical space occupying,which can effectively reduce the dose of the organ at risk,and play a role in the isolation and protection of the organ at risk.

Objective::To report a fetus with ARCN1-related syndrome caused by a novel de novo heterozygous variant, highlighting the importance of early genetic diagnosis in prenatal care. Methods::The clinical and genetic data of a fetus with a complex combination of clinical signs and a novel de novo heterozygous variant were collected and have been summarized in this study. The potential pathogenic variant was identified throughout the whole exome sequencing and the effects of candidate variants were further validated by a minigene splicing assay. Results::Prenatal systematic ultrasound detected fetal growth restriction. Genetic analysis identified a novel de novo heterozygous variant within the ARCN1 gene—c.1241 +5G>A-located in intron 8. In vitro minigene splicing assays demonstrated that the variant led to two abnormal transcripts. The longer transcript retained 189 base pairs of intron 8, resulting in a truncated protein of 414 amino acids (p.Ser415*). The shorter transcript involved exon 8 skippings, producing a truncated protein of 407 amino acids (p.Ile378Serfs*31). Conclusion::A novel de novo heterozygous variant of the ARCN1 gene, namely NM_001655.5: c.1241 +5G>A, was discovered and identified in a fetus with rhizomelic short stature, microretrognathia, and developmental delays.

Objective::To evaluate the diagnostic efficacy and clinical application of the Obstetrical Chinese Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC) Scoring System (OCDSS).Methods::This study is a retrospective study that collected 1063 cases from Wuhan Union Hospital, Yichang Central People’s Hospital, and the Central Hospital of Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture between July 2017 and June 2024. These cases were divided into DIC and non-DIC groups based on score standard. Diagnosis of DIC, the rate of hysterectomy, neonatal mortality, and severe asphyxia are the main outcome measures. All the laboratory indicators are all determined by clinical laboratory department of the hospital. Data were expressed as mean ± standard deviation or median (interquartile range) and frequencies. Independent sample t-test or non-parametric test were used to compare measurement data, while the chi-square test was used for count data. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and area under curve (AUC) were used to test the predictive accuracy. Using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis to study the high-risk factors. P < 0.050 indicates a statistical significance. Results::Of 1063 participants in this study, 29 participants (2.73%) were diagnosed with obstetrical DIC by OCDSS score standard, and all the participants were diagnosed as DIC with underlying disease. When the Takao, Clark, and Erez score standard is the "gold standard", the OCDSS score standard always shows good sensitivity and specificity, with all the AUC over 0.75. OCDSS score standard also has better predictive of hysterectomy (68.18%, 91.07%, 0.872), severe neonatal asphyxia and death (79.17%, 75.07%, 0.842) than the other three score standards. All the indicators included in the OCDSS score standard contributed to the DIC diagnosis (all the P < 0.001). The indicators in the DIC group were more abnormal than the non-DIC group (all the P < 0.001). Conclusion::OCDSS is a first score standard, especially for pregnancies, it considers the underlying disease, clinical symptoms, and laboratory results. This score system shared a good diagnosis performance for DIC in the Chinese population and may help clinicians make timely decisions.

Objective::To report a fetus with ARCN1-related syndrome caused by a novel de novo heterozygous variant, highlighting the importance of early genetic diagnosis in prenatal care. Methods::The clinical and genetic data of a fetus with a complex combination of clinical signs and a novel de novo heterozygous variant were collected and have been summarized in this study. The potential pathogenic variant was identified throughout the whole exome sequencing and the effects of candidate variants were further validated by a minigene splicing assay. Results::Prenatal systematic ultrasound detected fetal growth restriction. Genetic analysis identified a novel de novo heterozygous variant within the ARCN1 gene—c.1241 +5G>A-located in intron 8. In vitro minigene splicing assays demonstrated that the variant led to two abnormal transcripts. The longer transcript retained 189 base pairs of intron 8, resulting in a truncated protein of 414 amino acids (p.Ser415*). The shorter transcript involved exon 8 skippings, producing a truncated protein of 407 amino acids (p.Ile378Serfs*31). Conclusion::A novel de novo heterozygous variant of the ARCN1 gene, namely NM_001655.5: c.1241 +5G>A, was discovered and identified in a fetus with rhizomelic short stature, microretrognathia, and developmental delays.

Objective::To evaluate the diagnostic efficacy and clinical application of the Obstetrical Chinese Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC) Scoring System (OCDSS).Methods::This study is a retrospective study that collected 1063 cases from Wuhan Union Hospital, Yichang Central People’s Hospital, and the Central Hospital of Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture between July 2017 and June 2024. These cases were divided into DIC and non-DIC groups based on score standard. Diagnosis of DIC, the rate of hysterectomy, neonatal mortality, and severe asphyxia are the main outcome measures. All the laboratory indicators are all determined by clinical laboratory department of the hospital. Data were expressed as mean ± standard deviation or median (interquartile range) and frequencies. Independent sample t-test or non-parametric test were used to compare measurement data, while the chi-square test was used for count data. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and area under curve (AUC) were used to test the predictive accuracy. Using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis to study the high-risk factors. P < 0.050 indicates a statistical significance. Results::Of 1063 participants in this study, 29 participants (2.73%) were diagnosed with obstetrical DIC by OCDSS score standard, and all the participants were diagnosed as DIC with underlying disease. When the Takao, Clark, and Erez score standard is the "gold standard", the OCDSS score standard always shows good sensitivity and specificity, with all the AUC over 0.75. OCDSS score standard also has better predictive of hysterectomy (68.18%, 91.07%, 0.872), severe neonatal asphyxia and death (79.17%, 75.07%, 0.842) than the other three score standards. All the indicators included in the OCDSS score standard contributed to the DIC diagnosis (all the P < 0.001). The indicators in the DIC group were more abnormal than the non-DIC group (all the P < 0.001). Conclusion::OCDSS is a first score standard, especially for pregnancies, it considers the underlying disease, clinical symptoms, and laboratory results. This score system shared a good diagnosis performance for DIC in the Chinese population and may help clinicians make timely decisions.

Objective·To measure the parameters of the uterine artery,umbilical artery and middle cerebral artery in a rat model of preeclampsia(PE)by Doppler ultrasound,and compare the pathological changes in placental blood vessels and pregnancy outcomes,in order to provide an effective method and reference for evaluating placental function in PE animal models.Methods·PE(n=8)and normal pregnancy(NP,n=8)groups in Sprague-Dawley(SD)rat models were established by intraperitoneal injections of N'-nitro-L-arginine methylesterhydrochloride(L-NAME)and 0.9%sodium chloride solution.Blood pressure and proteinuria indexes were detected to evaluate whether the model was successfully established.On gestational day 19(GD19),Doppler ultrasound was utilized to measure the parameters of the uterine artery,umbilical artery and the fetal middle cerebral artery in both the PE and NP groups.After termination of the pregnancies,placental function was evaluated through the pathology of placental blood vessels and the quality of the fetuses and placentas.Results·In the PE group,both blood pressure(GD15:P=0.001;GD19:P=0.001)and proteinuria(GD15:P=0.001;GD19:P=0.001)were significantly higher than those in the NP group.The pulsatility index(PI)of the umbilical artery and uterine artery was notably elevated in the PE group compared to the NP group(both P=0.000).Furthermore,the resistance index(RI)of the fetal middle cerebral artery was significantly lower than that in the PE group(P=0.000).While the number of fetal rats did not differ significantly,the quality of placental and fetal rats was notably lower in the PE group(P=0.006 and P=0.000,respectively).Immunohistochemical staining of placental tissue revealed that the number of placental micro vessel densities in the PE group was less than that in the NP group(P=0.001).Correlation analysis revealed that placental micro vessel density,fetal quality and placental quality were inversely related with the RI of the umbilical artery and the PI and RI of the uterine artery,and positively correlated with the S/D,PI and RI of the fetal middle cerebral artery(all P<0.05).Conculsion·Doppler ultrasound assessment of the uterine artery,umbilical artery and middle cerebral artery indices in L-NAME-induced PE rat models effectively reflects pregnancy outcomes and placental vascular pathology.This method is valuable for evaluating placental vascular perfusion in PE rat models,offering practicality and convenience for research involving animal models.

Objective:To evaluate the application value of electrical impedance tomography(EIT)imaging combining bedside bronchoscopy sputum suction by observing the changes of pulmonary ventilation, tidal volume and dynamic pulmonary compliance after bedside bronchoscopy sputum suction in elderly stroke-associated pneumonia(SAP).Methods:A randomized controlled study was conducted.Patients with SAP admitted to the respiratory intensive care unit of Henan Provincial People's Hospital from January 2017 to December 2018 were enrolled as research objects.They were divided into the control group versus observation group with the only difference in receiving bedside bronchoscope sputum suction replacing control's receiving conventional sputum suction.Impedance imaging region of interest 4(ROI4)values collected by using EIT at admission and 1, 3, 5 days after fiberoptic bronchoscope sputum suction were compared between the two groups.Meanwhile, the tidal volume, dynamic lung compliance, the duration of mechanical ventilation and hospitalization time in intensive care unit were recorded in the two groups.Results:A total of 78 patients meeting an inclusion and exclusion criterion were enrolled, with 37 cases in the control group and 41 cases in the observation group.Compared with control group, the bronchoscope sputum suction group showed the significantly increased regional gas distribution values(2.24±0.77% vs.0.49±0.65%, 7.05±0.77% vs.2.49±0.87%, 12.34±1.47% vs.5.57±0.50%, t=10.85, 24.56 and 26.54, respectively, all P<0.001)at 1, 3, 5 days after fiberoptic bronchoscope sputum suction.The tidal volume and dynamic lung compliance were significantly higher in the observation group than in the control group at 1, 3, 5 days after fiberoptic bronchoscope sputum suction.The duration of mechanical ventilation and hospitalization time in the intensive care unit were shorter in the observation group than in the control group(12.22±0.88 d vs.14.65±0.92 d, 18.41±1.12 d vs.21.14±1.06 d, t=11.91 and 11.01, both P< 0.001). Conclusions:For patients with SAP, an intermittent bedside fiberoptic bronchoscope sputum suction can effectively improve the pulmonary ventilation in the dorsal area, optimize pulmonary respiratory dynamics, facilitate the early withdrawal of the mechanic ventilation, and shorten the hospitalization time in the intensive care unit.

Objective:To study the risk factors for abnormal glucose metabolism in pregnant women with a history of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed on pregnant women who had two consecutive deliveries and were was complicated by GDM in the previous pregnancy at the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from January 2011 to May 2019. Clinical data of both pregnancies were collected, including general information, fasting blood glucose in early pregnancy and 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) results, glycosylated hemoglobin A1c and blood lipid profile at 24-28 gestational weeks. The incidence and risk factors of abnormal glucose metabolism in these cases during the present pregnancy were analyzed. Analysis of variance, Kruskal-Wallis test, SNK- q or LSD- t-test, and Chi-square test were used for data analysis. Single-factor logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the high-risk factors, and multifactor logistic regression analysis was performed to fit the model. Variable collinearity diagnosis was performed using the coldiag2 command. Results:(1) A total of 455 cases were enrolled in the study. According to the fasting glucose level in the first trimester and the OGTT results in the present pregnancy, they were divided into three groups: normal OGTT group ( n=240), GDM group ( n=189), and pre-gestational diabetes mellitus group (PGDM, n=26). The incidence of abnormal glucose metabolism in these patients during the present pregnancy was 47.2% (215/455). (2) Those with a history of GDM had higher pre-pregnancy weight, lower weight gain, higher cesarean section rate, smaller gestational age at delivery, and higher neonatal birth weight in the present pregnancy than those in the previous pregnancy [(55.6±8.5) vs (53.3±7.9) kg, t=-4.059; (11.2±4.2) vs (12.5±4.4) kg, t=4.435; 47.9% (218/455) vs 33.0% (150/455), χ2=20.481; (38.6±1.3) vs (38.8±1.3) weeks, t=2.288; (3 177±463) and (3 114±460) g, t=-2.044; all P<0.05]. (3) In the PGDM group, the 2-h plasma glucose level after 75 g OGTT was higher than that in the previous pregnancy [(11.4±1.1) vs (9.9±1.7) mmol/L, t=-3.299, P=0.002]. (4) In the present pregnancy, the PGDM group had the highest fasting blood glucose in early pregnancy, followed by the GDM group and the normal OGTT group [4.6 mmol/L (4.2-7.6 mmol/L), 4.3 mmol/L (4.0-4.6 mmol/L) and 4.1 mmol/L (3.8-4.4 mmol/L), χ2=34.498, P<0.001]. The PGDM group had the least postpartum weight retention, followed by the normal OGTT group and the GDM group [(1.2±3.9), (1.6±3.9), and (2.6±4.9) kg, F=3.086, P<0.05]. (5) Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed postpartum weight retention and the 1-h and 2-h plasma glucose levels after 75 g OGTT in the previous pregnancy were independent risk factors for abnormal glucose metabolism in pregnant women with a history of GDM (postpartum weight retention: OR=1.054, 95% CI: 1.005-1.106; 1-h plasma glucose: OR=1.284, 95% CI: 1.087-1.516; 2-h plasma glucose: OR=1.272, 95% CI: 1.071-1.511). Conclusions:The incidence of abnormal glucose metabolism is higher in subsequent pregnancy in women with GDM history, which may be related to various factors, such as postpartum weight retention and plasma glucose after 75 g OGTT in the previous pregnancy.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is defined as carbohydrate intolerance of variable severity with onset or first recognition during pregnancy.Short-and long-term effects of GDM on both mother and child depend on the severity of the condition and blood sugar level.Currently,relatively standardized guidance on management of GDM in China has greatly improved maternal and infant outcomes.Moreover,standardized postpartum management and monitoring are also essential for the prevention of long-term complications in this population.The guidelines issued by America Diabetes Association (ADA) and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) in 2018 recommended that GDM patients should be followed up at 4-12 weeks postpartum for a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test.For those who is normal at the first postpartum follow up,it is necessary to have their blood glucose tested once every 1-3 years.However,for those who is abnormal,medication should also be initiated when necessary in addition to more frequent follow-ups and nutritional intervention and physical exercise.