Objective:To compare image quality and diagnostic parameters of whole-brain CT perfusion scans under different scanning conditions and assess the utility of deep learning image reconstruction algorithm (DLIR) in reducing tube current during low-dose scans.Methods:Method A total of 105 patients with suspected acute ischemic stroke (AIS) were prospectively enrolled in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from March, 2022 to March, 203 and their baseline information was recorded. All patients underwent head non-contrast CT and CT perfusion (CTP) examinations. CTP scanning was performed at 80 kV in two groups with the tube current of 150 mA (regular dose) and 100 mA (low dose), respectively. The CTP images of 150 mA group were reconstructed using filtered back-projection algorithm as well as adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction-V (ASIR-V) at 40% and 80% strength levels, which were denoted as groups A-C. The CTP images of 100 mA group were reconstructed using ASIR-V80%, DLIR-M, and DLIR-H, which were denoted as groups D-F. Clinical baseline characteristics and radiation doses were compared between the two groups under different scanning conditions. Furthermore, we assessed the subjective and objective image quality, conventional perfusion parameters, and abnormal perfusion parameters of AIS patients across the six groups of reconstructed CTP images.Results:Under the scanning conditions of 150 mA and 100 mA, 47 and 48 patients were diagnosed with AIS, respectively. There were no significant differences in the baseline characteristics between the two groups. However, there was a significant difference in the mean effective radiation dose (5.71 mSv vs. 3.80 mSv, t = 2 768.30, P < 0.001). The standard deviation (SD) of noise, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM) were significantly different among the six groups of reconstructed images ( F = 40.58-212.13, P < 0.001). In GM, the SD values in groups C, D, and F were lower than those in other groups ( P < 0.05), and the SNR values in groups C and F were higher than those in other groups ( P < 0.05). In WM, the SD and SNR values in groups C and F were significantly different from those in other groups ( P < 0.05). Additionally, CNR values in groups C and F were higher than those in other groups ( P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in subjective scores among groups B, C, and F ( P > 0.05). Regarding perfusion parameters in the brain GM, groups D and E had lower cerebral blood volume (CBV) values compared to groups A to C ( P < 0.05), and group F had lower CBV values than group B ( P < 0.05). In the brain WM, group D had consistently lower mean transit time (MTT) values compared to the other groups ( P < 0.05). Notably, there were no significant differences in AIS lesion detection rates and relevant diagnostic parameters across the six image groups. Conclusions:Low-tube current CTP scan combined with the DLIR-H algorithm can enhance image quality without affecting perfusion parameters such as CBV and MTT, while reducing radiation dose by 30%. This algorithm can be routinely applied in brain CTP examinations.

Objective:To study the relationship between fluoride exposure and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)/cortisol (CORT) in rural children in eastern Henan, and to reveal the modifying effect of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene polymorphism.Methods:A total of 463 children aged 7 - 12 (245 boys and 218 girls) from 4 primary schools in Tongxu County, Henan Province were recruited by a cluster sampling method for questionnaire survey, physical examination, and collection of morning urine and fasting venous blood. The concentrations of urinary fluoride and creatinine were determined by a fluoride ion selective electrode method and picric acid method, respectively. Serum ACTH and CORT levels were determined with a fully automated biochemical analyzer, and the genotyping of BDNF gene loci of single nucleotide polymorphism was conducted by a customized 48-Plex SNPscan TM reagent kit. Besides, the relationships between urinary fluoride concentrations and serum ACTH/CORT levels in children were analyzed by multiple linear regression models. The interaction term between urinary fluoride concentration and BDNF gene polymorphism was established, and the interaction between unit point gene polymorphism and environment on serum ACTH or CORT levels of children was analyzed by multiple linear regression. Results:For every 1 mg/L increase in urinary fluoride concentration, serum ACTH level in girls increased by 1.98 pg/ml [95% confidence interval ( CI): 0.71, 3.24; P = 0.002], while serum CORT level in boys decreased by 37.48 ng/ml (95% CI: - 63.99, - 10.97; P = 0.006). Regardless of stratified analysis, the urinary fluoride concentration of individuals carrying the TA genotype at the rs6484320 locus was positively correlated with serum ACTH level (β > 0, P < 0.05); in addition, there was a positive correlation between urinary fluoride concentration and serum ACTH level in the total population and boys carrying the CC genotype of rs7103873 locus (β > 0, P < 0.05); and the serum ACTH and CORT levels in girls carrying the AA genotype of rs12291186 locus were positively correlated with urinary fluoride concentration (β > 0, P < 0.05). The interaction analysis showed that there was an interaction between urinary fluoride concentrations and rs6484320/rs7103873 loci polymorphisms on serum ACTH level in the total population and boys ( Pinteraction < 0.1), as well as urinary fluoride concentrations and rs12291186 locus polymorphism on serum CORT level in girls ( Pinteraction = 0.035). Conclusions:Urinary fluoride concentration is associated with increased serum ACTH level in girls and decreased serum CORT level in boys. BDNF gene polymorphism can modify the association between fluoride exposure and serum ACTH or CORT levels in children, and the modification effect varies by gender.

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) combined with lower cervical fracture is often categorized into unstable fracture, with a high incidence of neurological injury and a high rate of disability and morbidity. As factors such as shoulder occlusion may affect the accuracy of X-ray imaging diagnosis, it is often easily misdiagnosed at the primary diagnosis. Non-operative treatment has complications such as bone nonunion and the possibility of secondary neurological damage, while the timing, access and choice of surgical treatment are still controversial. Currently, there are no clinical practice guidelines for the treatment of AS combined with lower cervical fracture with or without dislocation. To this end, the Spinal Trauma Group of Orthopedics Branch of Chinese Medical Doctor Association organized experts to formulate Clinical guidelines for the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis combined with lower cervical fracture in adults ( version 2024) in accordance with the principles of evidence-based medicine, scientificity and practicality, in which 11 recommendations were put forward in terms of the diagnosis, imaging evaluation, typing and treatment, etc, to provide guidance for the diagnosis and treatment of AS combined with lower cervical fracture.

Objective:To investigate the distribution characteristics of virulence-related phenotypes/genotype, capsular serotype, drug resistance phenotypes, and sequence typing (ST) of Klebsiella pneumoniae in patients living in Zhongjiang county, improve clinical understanding, and provide evidence for the prevention and control of bacterial drug resistance and clinical rational drug use. Methods:The data of 135 strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from patients who received treatment in Zhongjiang County People's Hospital from July to December 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Bacterial identification and drug sensitivity testing were performed using the WalkAway-40Plus automated microbiology system. Strains with a high viscosity phenotype were identified using wire drawing experiments. Hypervirulence-associated capsular serotype and virulence genes were verified by polymerase chain reaction. ST of Klebsiella pneumoniae strain was identified using multilocus sequence typing. Results:Strains with a high viscosity phenotype were identified in 50.4% of the 135 strains. 54.1%, 54.8%, and 54.1% of the strains were positive for virulence genes iucA, iroN, rmpA. The proportion of strains with capsular Serotype K1 or K2 was 11.9% and 15.6%, respectively. A total of 65 kinds of ST were identified, with ST23 and ST37 being the most common, accounting for 11.1% and 6.7%, respectively. The resistance rate of the strains to 16 kinds of antibiotics was 0.0%-25.2%, and the resistance rate to Carbapenem antibiotics, Amikacin, and Tigecycline was less than 1%. The positive rate of virulence gene of strains with a high viscosity phenotype was significantly higher than that of strains without a high viscosity phenotype ( P < 0.001), and its resistance rate to Cephalosporin was significantly lower in strains with a high viscosity phenotype than that in strains without a high viscosity phenotype ( P < 0.001). Conclusion:Klebsiella pneumoniae in Zhongjiang County is characterized by "high virulence and low drug resistance". It is necessary to continuously monitor the changes in the virulence and drug resistance of Klebsiella pneumoniae in Zhongjiang County, Sichuan Province, and be alert to the rapid dissemination of highly virulent strains.

Objective:To investigate the effect of aucubin on behaviors and excessive activation of astrocytic in attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) model mice.Methods:Twelve wild-type C57BL/6 pregnant mice (female, clean grade) were intraperitoneally administered with esketamine (15 mg/kg) to establish an ADHD model in offspring mice. The offspring mice were divided into control+ saline group, control+ aucubin group, Ketamine+ saline group and Ketamine+ aucubin group according to the nest matching principle with 15 in each group.At 14 days after birth, mice in the control+ aucubin group and Ketamine+ aucubin group were administered with aucubin (5 mg/kg, once a day) by gavage for 5 days. Mice in control+ saline group and Ketamine+ saline group were administered with equal volume of 0.9% sodium chloride solution. The offspring mice were housed with their mothers in the same cage until 21 days after birth. Twenty-one days after birth, the offspring mice were evaluated by open field test and elevated plus maze tests. Immunofluorescence assay was used to detect the expression of glutamate decarboxylase 2 (GAD2), γ- aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in the amygdala. The morphological changes of astrocytes were quantitatively analyzed by Sholl analysis. GraphPad Prim 9.0.1 software was used for statistical analysis. The comparison of multiple groups was conducted by one-way ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis test.Results:(1)The results of behavioral experiments showed that the total distance traveled in the open field test and the residence time in open arm of the elevated plus maze were statistically significant ( F=236.90, H=39.92, both P<0.001). The total distance ((7 044±249)mm, (22 891±2 175)mm, P<0.05) and the residence time in open arm(12.69(9.86, 17.24)s, 2.72(0.57, 3.87)s, P<0.05) of mice in Ketamine+ saline group were both higher than those in control+ saline group.The total distance((22 891±2 175)mm, (8 252±839)mm, P<0.05) and the the residence time in open arm(5.45(1.13, 10.99)s, 12.69(9.86, 17.24)s, P<0.05) of Ketamine+ aucubin group were both lower than those of Ketamine+ saline group.(2)The immunofluorescence results showed that the levels of GAD2, GABA and GFAP intensity in amygdala of mice in the four groups were statistically significant ( F=145.50, 50.08, 53.83, all P<0.05). Compared with control+ saline group, the fluorescence intensities of GAD2 ((100.00±9.60)%, (24.86±4.14)%, P<0.05) and GABA ((100.00±16.84))%, (25.48±5.70)%, P<0.05) of Ketamine+ saline group were down-regulated, and the GFAP((100.00±18.02)%, (223.80±25.85)%, P<0.05) was up-regulated. Compared with Ketamine+ saline group, the fluorescence intensities of GAD2 ((24.86±4.14)%, (56.08±6.55)%, P<0.05) and GABA((25.48±5.70)%, (52.59±15.74)%, P<0.05) in Ketamine+ aucubin group were up-regulated, but the fluorescence intensity of GFAP ((223.80±25.85)%, (157.10±22.10)%, P<0.05) was down-regulated.(3)Sholl analysis indicated that the number of the intersections between the astrocyte processes or the branches of astrocyte processes was statistically significant in the 4 groups ( F=12.47, P<0.05). Compared with control+ saline group, the number of the intersections in Ketamine+ saline group((2.07±0.48), (1.67±0.72), P<0.05) increased. While the number of the intersections in Ketamine+ aucubin group was lower than that of Ketamine+ saline group ((1.20±0.78), (2.07±0.48), P<0.05). Conclusion:Aucubin administration can alleviate ADHD-like behaviors in offspring mice, and the mechanism may be associated with the inhibition of excessive astrocytic activation.

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) combined with spinal fractures with thoracic and lumbar fracture as the most common type shows characteristics of unstable fracture, high incidence of nerve injury, high mortality and high disability rate. The diagnosis may be missed because it is mostly caused by low-energy injury, when spinal rigidity and osteoporosis have a great impact on the accuracy of imaging examination. At the same time, the treatment choices are controversial, with no relevant specifications. Non-operative treatments can easily lead to bone nonunion, pseudoarthrosis and delayed nerve injury, while surgeries may be failed due to internal fixation failure. At present, there are no evidence-based guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of AS combined with thoracic and lumbar fracture. In this context, the Spinal Trauma Academic Group of Orthopedics Branch of Chinese Medical Doctor Association organized experts to formulate the Clinical guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of adult ankylosing spondylitis combined with thoracolumbar fracture ( version 2023) by following the principles of evidence-based medicine and systematically review related literatures. Ten recommendations on the diagnosis, imaging evaluation, classification and treatment of AS combined with thoracic and lumbar fracture were put forward, aiming to standardize the clinical diagnosis and treatment of such disorder.

The acute combination fractures of the atlas and axis in adults have a higher rate of neurological injury and early death compared with atlas or axial fractures alone. Currently, the diagnosis and treatment choices of acute combination fractures of the atlas and axis in adults are controversial because of the lack of standards for implementation. Non-operative treatments have a high incidence of bone nonunion and complications, while surgeries may easily lead to the injury of the vertebral artery, spinal cord and nerve root. At present, there are no evidence-based Chinese guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of acute combination fractures of the atlas and axis in adults. To provide orthopedic surgeons with the most up-to-date and effective information in treating acute combination fractures of the atlas and axis in adults, the Spinal Trauma Group of Orthopedic Branch of Chinese Medical Doctor Association organized experts in the field of spinal trauma to develop the Evidence-based guideline for clinical diagnosis and treatment of acute combination fractures of the atlas and axis in adults ( version 2023) by referring to the "Management of acute combination fractures of the atlas and axis in adults" published by American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS)/Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS) in 2013 and the relevant Chinese and English literatures. Ten recommendations were made concerning the radiological diagnosis, stability judgment, treatment rules, treatment options and complications based on medical evidence, aiming to provide a reference for the diagnosis and treatment of acute combination fractures of the atlas and axis in adults.

Objective:To explore the clinical value of quantitative parameters on spectral CT in predicting the invasiveness of lung adenocarcinoma manifesting as ground-glass nodules (GGN).Methods:The clinical and imaging data of 129 patients with pathologically confirmed lung adenocarcinoma who were surgically resected in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from March to October 2022 were retrospectively analyzed, including 45 males and 84 females, aged from 33 to 81. According to the pathological results, they were divided into the minimally invasive adenocarcinoma (MIA) group ( n=64) and the invasive adenocarcinoma (IAC) group ( n=65). All patients underwent enhanced spectral CT within two weeks before surgery. The iodine density map, Z-Effective (Z eff) map, and electron density (ED) map were reconstructed on the post-processing workstation, and the spectral parameters, including normalized iodine concentration (NIC), arterial enhancement fraction (AEF), Z eff, and ED were measured and calculated. Conventional CT features were analyzed, including maximum diameter, CT value, nodule types, margin, lobulation sign, spiculation sign, bubble sign, pleural retraction sign, abnormal vascular sign, and air bronchial sign. The clinical features, conventional CT characteristics and spectral CT parameters of two groups were compared using the independent sample t test, the Mann-Whitney U test, and the χ 2 test. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the independent risk factors of lung adenocarcinoma invasiveness, and the model was constructed. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to evaluate the performance of parameters and models in predicting the invasiveness of lung adenocarcinoma. Results:There were significant differences between the MIA group and IAC group in maximum diameter, CT value, nodule type, margin, spiculation sign, pleural retraction sign, air bronchial sign, venous phase NIC, AEF, venous phase Z eff, arterial phase ED, venous phase ED ( P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the maximum diameter (OR=1.183, 95%CI 1.062-1.318), CT value (OR=1.004, 95%CI 1.001-1.007), venous phase NIC (OR=1.185, 95%CI 1.083-1.298), AEF(OR=0.975, 95%CI 0.957-0.994), venous phase Z eff (OR=0.031, 95%CI 0.005-0.196) were independent influence factors for the invasiveness of lung adenocarcinoma. The conventional CT model was established with the maximum diameter and CT value, and the spectral CT model was established with venous phase NIC, AEF, and venous phase Z eff. The combined model was established with all the parameters above. Areas under the ROC curve of the conventional CT model, the spectral CT model, and the combined model for predicting the invasiveness of lung adenocarcinoma were 0.828, 0.854, and 0.902, respectively. Conclusion:The quantitative parameters of double-layer detector spectral CT can be used as an indicator to predict the invasiveness of lung adenocarcinoma manifesting as GGN, and AEF has the highest diagnostic efficacy. Spectral CT combined with conventional CT features can further improve the diagnostic efficiency.

Objective:The purpose of this study was to explore the critical values of monitored indexes of perioperative major adverse cardiac events(MACE), so as to take effective prevention and treatment measures in time to maintain the stability of perioperative cardiac function to further improve the perioperative safety of elderly patients with biliary diseases.Methods:The clinical data of 246 elderly patients with biliary diseases in our hospital from May 2016 to February 2022 were collected.According to whether MACE occurred during the perioperative period, they were divided into the MACE group and the non-MACE group.The differences of clinical data, the monitoring indexes of postoperative cardiac function, and the coagulation function between the two groups were compared and analyzed.Logistic regression was used to analyze the independent risk factors of perioperative MACE, the cut-off value of the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was calculated, and the Logistic multivariate prediction model was established.Results:In the MACE compared with the non-MACE group, age, postoperative complications and mortality, postoperative hospital stay, and the levels of postoperative high sensitivity troponin-I(Hs-TnI), creatine kinase isoenzyme(CK-MB), myoglobin(MYO), B-type natriuretic peptide(BNP), and D-dimer(D-D)were significantly increased(all P<0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression showed that postoperative BNP and D-D were two independent risk factors for perioperative MACE, and their cut-off values in the ROC curve were 382.65 pg/mL and 0.975mg/L respectively.The Logistic multivariate prediction model established by the Logistic regression equation was P= ex/(1+ ex), X=-5.710+ 0.003X 1+ 0.811X 2, where X 1 was the postoperative BNP level and X 2 was the postoperative D-D level.The accuracy, specificity and sensitivity of this prediction model for predicting perioperative MACE were 96.3%(237/246), 100.0%(235/235), and 18.2%(2/11). Conclusions:The Logistic multivariate prediction model established in this study can effectively predict the occurrence of perioperative MACE in elderly patients.Postoperative BNP and D-D were two independent risk factors for perioperative MACE.The cut-off values of BNP and D-D in the ROC curve could be used as critical values for monitoring perioperative MACE.Therefore, it is of great clinical significance to take effective prevention and treatment measures in time to maintain the stability of perioperative cardiac function, and further improve the perioperative safety of elderly patients with biliary diseases.

With the accelerated aging society in China, the incidence of biliary surgical diseases in the elderly has increased significantly. The clinical characteristics of these patients indicate that improving treatment outcomes and realizing healthy aging are worthy of attention. How to effectively improve the treatment effect of geriatric biliary surgical diseases has attracted widespread attention. This paper reviews and comments on the hotspots and difficulties of biliary surgery in older patients from six aspects: (1) higher morbidity associated with an aging society, (2) prevention and control of pre-operative risks, (3) extending the indications of laparoscopic surgery, (4) urgent standardization of minimally invasive surgery, (5) precise technological progress in hepatobiliary surgery, and (6) guarantee of peri-operative safety. It is of great significance to fully understand the focus of controversy, actively make use of its favorable factors, and effectively avoid its unfavorable factors, for further improving the therapeutic effects of geriatric biliary surgical diseases, and thus benefits the vast older patients with biliary surgical diseases. Accordingly, a historical record with the highest age of 93 years for laparoscopic transcystic common bile duct exploration has been created by us recently.
Humans ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Biliary Tract Surgical Procedures ; Gallstones ; Laparoscopy ; Treatment Outcome ; Aging ; Retrospective Studies