Objective To explore the advantages and clinical potential of open-mouth CT scanning in reducing oral artifacts.Methods Fifty-one patients with oral and maxillofacial space-occupying lesions and wearing metallic dentures were enrolled.All of them underwent routine CT scan fist and then enhanced CT scan following insertion of a bite block into the mouth.The related slice of artifacts such as tongue,palate and gum were selected,and in which the region of interest was delineated.The advantages and disadvantages of conventional closed-mouth scanning and open-mouth scanning were discussed by calculating artifact indexes and subjectively scoring the image quality by senior doctors.Results Scanning was successfully performed in all patients.Compared with closed-mouth group,open-mouth group had smaller artifact index(P<0.001)and higher subjective score(P<0.001).The artifacts in the lesion area were reduced in 38 out of 51 cases,and the lesion area was staggered from the metallic artifact level in 12 cases.The open-mouth scanning showed the lesion clearly,with high contrast and the best image quality.Conclusion The open-mouth position can effectively reduce artifacts in CT scanning of patients with space-occupying lesions in the oral,and improve image quality.

Objective:To compare the clinical efficacy of navigation system and orthopedic robot-assisted nail placement in the treatment of lower cervical fracture and dislocation.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 49 patients with fracture and dislocation of the lower cervical spine who were admitted to Honghui Hospital, Xi′an Jiaotong University School of Medicine from May 2021 to October 2022, including 38 males and 11 females, aged 29-61 years [(39.3±7.3)years]. Injury segments involved C 3 in 12 patients, C 4 in 11, C 5 in 8, C 6 in 9 and C 7 in 9. Twenty-one patients were treated with S8 navigation system (navigation group, 84 screws), and 28 with TINAVI orthopedic robot (robot group, 112 screws). The two groups were compared in terms of the total surgical duration, single screw placement time, total screw placement time, distance between the screw and the anterior cortex, incision length, intraoperative radiation dose, intraoperative blood loss and length of hospital stay. The height of intervertebral space, Cobb angle, sliding distance between vertebral bodies and American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) grade were assessed before surgery and at 3 days after surgery. Visual analogue scale (VAS), Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score and neck dysfunction index (NDI) before surgery, at 3 days, 3 months after surgery and at the last follow-up were compared. The accuracy of screw placement, intraoperative invasion rate of adjacent facet joints and rate of postoperative complications (infection, screw loosening, etc.) were evaluated. Results:All the patients were followed up for 12-16 months [(13.6±1.9)months]. In the navigation group, the total surgical duration, distance from the screw to the anterior cortex and the intraoperative radiation dose were (236.2±30.6)minutes, (2.0±0.2)mm and (374.3±90.3)mGy respectively, which were significantly shorter or less than those in the robot group [(278.4±20.7)minutes, (10.6±2.9)mm and (448.4±77.9)mGy] ( P<0.01). The single screw placement time, total screw placement time, incision length and intraoperative blood loss were (3.5±0.4)minutes, (23.9±0.5)minutes, (9.1±2.4)cm and (422.2±30.4)ml respectively, which were significantly longer or more than those in the robot group [(2.6±0.2)minutes, (17.9±0.7)minutes, (6.6±2.6)cm and (360.3±56.3)ml] ( P<0.01). There was no significant difference in the length of hospital stay between the two groups ( P>0.05). No significant differences were observed in the height of the intervertebral space, Cobb angle, sliding distance between the vertebral bodies and ASIA grade between the two groups ( P>0.05). At 3 days after surgery, the height of intervertebral space, Cobb angle, sliding distance between vertebral bodies and ASIA grade in both groups were significantly improved when compared with those before surgery ( P<0.05 or 0.01). There were no significant differences in VAS, JOA scores or NDI between the two groups before surgery, at 3 days, 3 months after surgery and at the last follow-up ( P>0.05). The VAS, JOA scores and NDI in both groups were gradually improved at 3 days, 3 months and at the last follow-up after surgery when compared with those before surgery ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the accuracy of screw placement of levels 0 and 0+1 between the two groups ( P>0.05). No significant difference in the intraoperative invasion rate of adjacent facet joints between the two groups was found ( P>0.05). There were no serious complications such as infection or screw loosening after surgery in both groups. Conclusions:For lower cervical fracture and dislocation, although there are more advantages in total surgical duration, screw holding force and radiation control regarding the navigation system, and more outstanding performance in screw placement efficiency, incision length and intraoperative blood loss regarding the orthopedic robot, both of them can effectively rebuild the cervical structure, improve neurological function, relieve postoperative pain, improve screw placement accuracy and reduce facet joint injury and serious complications. Selection of the best auxiliary screw placement system should comprehensively consider patients′ conditions and the experience of the surgical team.

Objective To explore the advantages and clinical potential of open-mouth CT scanning in reducing oral artifacts.Methods Fifty-one patients with oral and maxillofacial space-occupying lesions and wearing metallic dentures were enrolled.All of them underwent routine CT scan fist and then enhanced CT scan following insertion of a bite block into the mouth.The related slice of artifacts such as tongue,palate and gum were selected,and in which the region of interest was delineated.The advantages and disadvantages of conventional closed-mouth scanning and open-mouth scanning were discussed by calculating artifact indexes and subjectively scoring the image quality by senior doctors.Results Scanning was successfully performed in all patients.Compared with closed-mouth group,open-mouth group had smaller artifact index(P<0.001)and higher subjective score(P<0.001).The artifacts in the lesion area were reduced in 38 out of 51 cases,and the lesion area was staggered from the metallic artifact level in 12 cases.The open-mouth scanning showed the lesion clearly,with high contrast and the best image quality.Conclusion The open-mouth position can effectively reduce artifacts in CT scanning of patients with space-occupying lesions in the oral,and improve image quality.

Objective:To compare the clinical efficacy of navigation system and orthopedic robot-assisted nail placement in the treatment of lower cervical fracture and dislocation.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 49 patients with fracture and dislocation of the lower cervical spine who were admitted to Honghui Hospital, Xi′an Jiaotong University School of Medicine from May 2021 to October 2022, including 38 males and 11 females, aged 29-61 years [(39.3±7.3)years]. Injury segments involved C 3 in 12 patients, C 4 in 11, C 5 in 8, C 6 in 9 and C 7 in 9. Twenty-one patients were treated with S8 navigation system (navigation group, 84 screws), and 28 with TINAVI orthopedic robot (robot group, 112 screws). The two groups were compared in terms of the total surgical duration, single screw placement time, total screw placement time, distance between the screw and the anterior cortex, incision length, intraoperative radiation dose, intraoperative blood loss and length of hospital stay. The height of intervertebral space, Cobb angle, sliding distance between vertebral bodies and American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) grade were assessed before surgery and at 3 days after surgery. Visual analogue scale (VAS), Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score and neck dysfunction index (NDI) before surgery, at 3 days, 3 months after surgery and at the last follow-up were compared. The accuracy of screw placement, intraoperative invasion rate of adjacent facet joints and rate of postoperative complications (infection, screw loosening, etc.) were evaluated. Results:All the patients were followed up for 12-16 months [(13.6±1.9)months]. In the navigation group, the total surgical duration, distance from the screw to the anterior cortex and the intraoperative radiation dose were (236.2±30.6)minutes, (2.0±0.2)mm and (374.3±90.3)mGy respectively, which were significantly shorter or less than those in the robot group [(278.4±20.7)minutes, (10.6±2.9)mm and (448.4±77.9)mGy] ( P<0.01). The single screw placement time, total screw placement time, incision length and intraoperative blood loss were (3.5±0.4)minutes, (23.9±0.5)minutes, (9.1±2.4)cm and (422.2±30.4)ml respectively, which were significantly longer or more than those in the robot group [(2.6±0.2)minutes, (17.9±0.7)minutes, (6.6±2.6)cm and (360.3±56.3)ml] ( P<0.01). There was no significant difference in the length of hospital stay between the two groups ( P>0.05). No significant differences were observed in the height of the intervertebral space, Cobb angle, sliding distance between the vertebral bodies and ASIA grade between the two groups ( P>0.05). At 3 days after surgery, the height of intervertebral space, Cobb angle, sliding distance between vertebral bodies and ASIA grade in both groups were significantly improved when compared with those before surgery ( P<0.05 or 0.01). There were no significant differences in VAS, JOA scores or NDI between the two groups before surgery, at 3 days, 3 months after surgery and at the last follow-up ( P>0.05). The VAS, JOA scores and NDI in both groups were gradually improved at 3 days, 3 months and at the last follow-up after surgery when compared with those before surgery ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the accuracy of screw placement of levels 0 and 0+1 between the two groups ( P>0.05). No significant difference in the intraoperative invasion rate of adjacent facet joints between the two groups was found ( P>0.05). There were no serious complications such as infection or screw loosening after surgery in both groups. Conclusions:For lower cervical fracture and dislocation, although there are more advantages in total surgical duration, screw holding force and radiation control regarding the navigation system, and more outstanding performance in screw placement efficiency, incision length and intraoperative blood loss regarding the orthopedic robot, both of them can effectively rebuild the cervical structure, improve neurological function, relieve postoperative pain, improve screw placement accuracy and reduce facet joint injury and serious complications. Selection of the best auxiliary screw placement system should comprehensively consider patients′ conditions and the experience of the surgical team.

Objective:To investigate the positive rate and isolate Bordetella pertussis in children with suspected whooping cough and their close family members in Zhejiang Province, and further explore the susceptibility and resistant mechanism of Bordetella pertussis to antibiotics. Methods:A total of 273 nasopharynx swabs specimens from children with suspected whooping cough in Hangzhou Children′s Hospital from May 2022 to October 2022 were collected. The strains were isolated and cultured using charcoal select agar plate. Pertussis target genes were detected by RT-PCR. E-test method was used to detect the sensitivity of Bordetella pertussis strains to different antibiotics. The mechanism of resistance of Bordetella pertussis to macrolides was analyzed by whole genome sequencing. The phylogenetic analysis of isolated strains was based on core genome multilocus sequence typing(cgMLST). Results:Among 273 clinical samples of children with suspected pertussis and their close family members, 168 samples were positive by fluorescence quantitative PCR, accounting for 61.54%, and 30 pertussis strains were successfully isolated with a positive rate of 10.98%. In addition, among the 143 samples of close family members, 54.55% (78/143) samples were positive by RT-PCR and 9.79% (14/143) samples were positive by culture, suggesting that the close family member are important in family transmission of pertussis. Besides, most of the positive samples were from mothers. The results of E-test showed that 96.67%(29/30) strains showed high resistance to azithromycin with MIC value>256 mg/L, and the resistant mechanism of azithromycin was A2047G mutation in 23S rRNA. The phylogenetic analysis based on the cgMSLT showed that the isolated strains were clustered into two new different clades.Conclusions:The positive rate of Bordetella pertussis in close family members is at a high level and the mother may be the main source of infection, which is of great significance for monitoring and laboratory detection of suspected children′s family members. Bordetella pertussis shows high resistance to macrolides in Zhejiang Province, so monitoring of the antimicrobial resistance should be further strengthened to provide theoretical basis for clinical treatment and drug guidance.

In recent years, the State has intensified efforts to develop folk Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Shaanxi Province is a large province with rich TCM resources. However, the certificate holding rate of folk TCM in Shaanxi is low, the inheritance of medical skills is not optimistic; the core skills of folk TCM are lack of protection; the traditional folk diagnosis and treatment technology is lack of corresponding standards, and the clinical promotion is difficult, which makes the advantages of folk TCM not fully play. It was suggested that strengthen the assessment of Shaanxi Province’s real expertise, take measures to promote the inheritance, enhance the intellectual property protection of folk TCM in the province, intensify the research and formulation of local folk TCM screening and evaluation standards, and vigorously promote the clinical application of folk TCM in the province, so as to promote the inheritance, protection and development of folk TCM in Shaanxi Province.

Objective:To compare the clinical efficacies of O-arm combined with CT three-dimensional navigation system assisted screw placement versus manual screw placement in treating lower cervical fracture and dislocation.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was used to analyze the clinical data of 41 patients with lower cervical fracture and dislocation, who were treated in Honghui Hospital, Xi′an Jiaotong University from May 2021 to February 2022. The patients included 26 males and 15 females, aged 31.5-48.6 years [(41.5±15.0)years]. The injured segments were C 3 in 3 patients, C 4 in 12, C 5 in 13, C 6 in 10 and C 7 in 3. Nineteen patients were treated with cervical pedicle screws by O-shaped arm combined with CT three-dimensional navigation system (navigation group, 76 screws) and 22 by bare hands (traditional group, 88 screws). The total operation time, effective operation time, single nail placement time, single screw correction times, screw distance from anterior cortex, intraoperative blood loss, intraoperative fluoroscopic radiation dose, incision length and length of hospital stay were compared between the two groups, and the height of intervertebral space, Cobb angle, interbody slip distance and American Spinal injury Association (ASIA) grade were compared before operation and at 3 days after operation. Visual analogue score (VAS), Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score, and neck dysfunction index (NDI) were evaluated before operation, at 3 days, 3 months after operation and at the last follow-up. Accuracy of screw placement and incidence of complications (adjacent facet joint invasion, infection, screw loosening) were detected as well. Results:All the patients were followed up for 11.1-13.9 months [(12.5±1.4)months]. The total operation time, intraoperative blood loss, intraoperative fluoroscopic radiation dose and incision length in the navigation group were more or longer than those in the traditional group (all P<0.05). The effective operation time, single nail placement time, single nail correction times and screw distance from anterior cortex in the navigation group were markedly less or smaller than those in the traditional group (all P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the length of hospital stay between the two groups ( P>0.05). There were significant improvements in the height of intervertebral space, Cobb angle and interbody slip distance between the two groups at 3 days after operation (all P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the height of intervertebral space, Cobb angle, interbody slip distance or ASIA grade between the two groups before operation or at 3 days after operation (all P>0.05). Compared with pre-operation, the VAS, JOA score and NDI were significantly improved in both groups at 3 days, 3 months after operation and at the last follow-up (all P<0.05), with further improvement with time. There was no significant difference in VAS between the two groups before operation or at 3 months after operation (all P>0.05), but it was markedly lower in the navigation group compared with the traditional group at 3 days after operation and at the last follow-up (all P<0.05). There were no significant differences in JOA score or NDI between the two groups before operation or at 3 days and 3 months after operation (all P>0.05), but both were lower in the navigation group compared with the traditional group at the last follow-up (all P<0.05). The accuracies of placement of grade 0 and grade 0+1 screws were 92.0% (70/76) and 96.6% (73/76) in the navigation group, respectively, which were markedly higher than 88.7% (78/88) and 93.5% (82/88) in the traditional group (all P<0.05). The rates of adjacent facet joint invasion of A, B, and C degrees were 71.2% (54/76), 28.8% (22/76) and 0% (0/76) in the navigation group, respectively, while the invasion rates were 60.5% (53/88), 32.3% (28/88) and 7.3% (7/88) in the traditional group ( P<0.05). No screw loosening was noted in the navigation group, but the screw loosening rate was 9.1% (8/88) in the traditional group ( P<0.01). Conclusion:Compared with manual screw placement, O-arm combined with CT three-dimensional navigation system assisted screw placement for lower cervical fracture and dislocation has the advantages of shorter effective operation time, quicker screw placement, stronger screw holding force, better cervical stability, slighter postoperative pain, higher screw placement accuracy, and lower facet joint invasion and screw loosening rates.

Objective To investigate the clinical and pathological features of children with glycogen storage disease (GSD). Methods A retrospective analysis was performed for ten children with GSD who were admitted to the Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University and The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital from January 2002 to January 2022, based on medical history, liver biochemistry, and liver biopsy, and population characteristics, clinical manifestations, biochemical parameters, and liver histopathological characteristics were compared and analyzed. Results All ten children had developmental retardation and a short stature, with the manifestations of abnormal liver function, mild weakness, poor appetite, yellow urine, and yellow eyes, and four children had hepatosplenomegaly. Among the ten children, six had the clinical manifestations of hypoglycemia, and one had bilateral gastrocnemius hypertrophy and positive Gower sign. Two children had positive CMV IgG. Liver histopathological manifestations included diffuse enlargement of hepatocytes, light cytoplasm, and small nucleus in the middle like plant cells, with or without fibrous tissue proliferation. Conclusion Most patients with GSD have developmental retardation and abnormal aminotransferases, and liver pathological examination shows specific pathological features.

Objective To summarize the clinical features of patients with Wilson's disease (WD). Methods A retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of 83 patients with WD who were admitted to The Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University from April 2013 to August 2021, including clinical manifestations, Imaging examinations, laboratory examinations, liver histopathological examinations, and ATP7B gene testing results. The patients were divided into groups based on different clinical types. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison between groups. Results The youngest age was 3 years for the 83 patients with WD, among whom 39 (46.99%) had an age of ≤18 years, with a mean age of 21.16±14.87 years for all 83 patients. Of all patients, 63.86% had liver-type WD, 31 patients (37.35%) had developed liver cirrhosis at the time of consultation, and 5 patients (6.2%) attended the hospital due to acute or acute-on-chronic liver failure. Of all patients, 62(74.69%) were positive for corneal K-F ring, and the positive rate of K-F ring was 66.04% in the patients with liver-type WD. Among the 83 patients, 79(95.18%) had a reduction in blood ceruloplasmin, and 73(87.95%) had an increase in 24-hour urine copper. The liver histopathological results of 25 patients showed varying degrees of inflammation, fibrosis, steatosis, and copper particle deposition in liver tissue. The ATP7B gene testing results of 25 patients showed that c.2333G > T/p.R778L of exon 8 was the most common mutation site. Conclusion Most patients with WD have the manifestation of liver diseases, and the examinations of corneal K-F ring, serum ceruloplasmin, and 24-h urine copper have their own limitations. Liver pathology and ATP7B gene testing can be performed when it is unable to make a confirmed diagnosis.

Objective:To clarify the clinical efficacy of Yiqi Huoxue recipe in the treatment of liver fibrosis of chronic viral hepatitis.Methods:An open, positive-drug, parallel-controlled study method was applied. A total of 207 cases of liver fibrosis with chronic hepatitis B and C diagnosed with liver biopsy and transient elastography were selected. According to the principle of syndrome differentiation in traditional Chinese medicine, self-made Yiqi Huoxue recipe ( n = 127) and Fuzheng Huayu capsule ( n = 80) were used for the treatment course of 24-48 weeks. Change score of TCM symptom, liver biochemistry, liver stiffness measurement (LSM), and noninvasive liver fibrosis index [aspartate transaminase to platelet ratio index (APRI), and fibrosis-4 score (FIB-4)] were compared between the two groups to evaluate the therapeutic effect of Yiqi Huoxue recipe on liver fibrosis. Results:Yiqi Huoxue recipe group and Fuzheng Huayu capsule group baseline LSM, APRI and FIB-4 was compared, and there was no statistically significant difference between them ( P > 0.05). Yiqi Huoxue recipe and Fuzheng Huayu capsule received patients had improved symptom scores to a certain extent. Hepatic facies, discomfort over liver area, and soreness and weakness of waist and knees ( P < 0.05) was significantly improved in Yiqi Huoxue recipe than Fuzheng Huayu capsule. Liver biochemical indicators (ALT, AST, GGT, ALP) had gradually relapsed with the extension of treatment duration and the normalization rate between the two groups after 24 to 48 weeks had reached 100% vs. 100%, 100% vs. 93.8%, 96.8% vs. 92.3% and 87.5% vs. 81.8%. After 12 weeks of treatment, APRI values ??of both groups had significantly reduced, and after 48 weeks of treatment, LSM values of both groups had significantly improved. Moreover, Yiqi Huoxue recipe FIB-4 score was significantly improved after 48 weeks of treatment, and the difference was statistically significant compared to Fuzheng Huayu capsule group ( P < 0.05). After treatment, LSM, APRI, and FIB-4 total effectiveness in the two groups were 80.0% vs. 63.6%, P = 0.046; 68.4% vs. 52.0%, P = 0.052; 68.4% vs. 62.0%, P = 0.437, respectively. LSM total effectiveness was significantly higher in Yiqi Huoxue recipe treated group than Fuzheng Huayu capsule group. Conclusion:Traditional Chinese medicine Yiqi Huoxue decoction can be used as an optimal treatment for liver fibrosis of chronic viral hepatitis.