Objective:To explore the clinical value of the three-dimensional fat suppression fast spoiled gradient echo (3D-FS-FSPGR) MRI sequence in the preoperative evaluation of congenital radial polydactyly.Methods:The data of children with congenital radial polydactyly who underwent surgical treatment in the Department of Orthopedics at Shanxi Children’s Hospital from May 2021 to April 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Preoperative X-ray examinations and MRI 3D-FS-FSPGR sequence scans were performed on the children. Radiologists first described the morphological characteristics of the articular cartilage, and then orthopedic surgeons performed the Wassel classification based on the X-ray and MRI imaging result, focusing on the bifurcation level, morphology, and articular surface of the phalangeal and metacarpal cartilage. The corresponding surgical method was selected according to the Wassel classification, and intraoperative incision exploration was used as the gold standard. Six months after surgery, the surgical outcome was evaluated using the modified Tada scoring system [with a total score of 0-7, and classified as excellent: >5 points, good: 3-5 points, and poor: <3 points; the excellent and good rate = (excellent + good) cases/total number of cases × 100%]. The appearance, function and recurrence of the operated finger were evaluated 1 year after surgery. Descriptive statistics were performed using SPSS 26.0 software, and the Kappa coefficient was used to evaluate the consistency of the Wassel classification result between radiographs, MRI 3D-FS-FSPGR sequences and intraoperative exploration respectively.Results:A total of 45 children (55 fingers) with congenital radial polydactyly were enrolled, including 25 males and 20 females, aged 5 to 60 months, with the median age of 9 months. Unilateral findings were seen in 35 cases and bilateral findings in 10 cases. MRI 3D-FS-FSPGR imaging sequences clearly demonstrated the level of cartilage bifurcation and bone tissue growth and development, which were consistent with intraoperative exploration findings. The accuracy of the MRI 3D-FS-FSPGR Wassel classification was 100% (55/55), and the accuracy of the X-ray Wassel classification was 81.8% (45/55). Disagreements were found in the classifications of five fingers: three with X-ray classifications of Wassel type Ⅳ but actually classified as type Ⅲ, and two with X-ray classifications of Wassel type Ⅳ but actually classified as type Ⅴ. The Kappa coefficients were all >0.85. All patients were followed up for 1 year. The modified Tada score showed excellent in 41 fingers, good in 6 fingers, and poor in 8 fingers, for an excellent and good rate of 85.5% (47/55). At final follow-up, the reconstructed thumbs showed significant improvement in appearance, with normal bone axis restoration, no deviation of the digits, and normal nail appearance. There was no significant scarring or contracture. Functions of thumb flexion, extension, grasping, and opposition were good. There was no postoperative deformity or recurrence.Conclusion:MRI 3D-FS-FSPGR sequences can accurately classify congenital radial polydactyly preoperatively, optimize the surgical incision and osteotomy alignment, and achieve excellent surgical outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common cardiac arrhythmia in the elderly. This study aimed to evaluate urban-rural disparities in its prevalence and management in elderly Chinese. METHODS: Consecutive participants aged ≥ 65 years attending outpatient clinics were enrolled for AF screening using handheld single-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) from April 2017 to December 2022. Each ECG rhythm strip was reviewed from the research team. AF or uninterpretable single-lead ECGs were referred for 12-lead ECG. Primary study outcome comparison was between rural and urban areas for the prevalence of AF. The Student's t-test was used to compare mean values of clinical characteristics between rural and urban participants, while the Pearson's chi-square test was used to compare between-group proportions. Multivariate stepwise logistic regression analysis was performed to estimate the association between AF and various patient characteristics. RESULTS: The 29,166 study participants included 13,253 men (45.4%) and had a mean age of 72.2 years. The 7073 rural participants differed significantly (P ≤ 0.02) from the 22,093 urban participants in several major characteristics, such as older age, greater body mass index, and so on. The overall prevalence of AF was 4.6% (n = 1347). AF was more prevalent in 7073 rural participants than 22,093 urban participants (5.6% vs. 4.3%, P < 0.01), before and after adjustment for age, body mass index, blood pressure, pulse rate, cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption and prior medical history. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified overweight/obesity (OR = 1.35, 95% CI: 1.17-1.54) in urban areas and cigarette smoking (OR = 1.62, 95% CI: 1.20-2.17) and alcohol consumption (OR = 1.42, 95% CI: 1.04-1.93) in rural areas as specific risk factors for prevalent AF. In patients with known AF in urban areas (n = 781) and rural areas (n = 338), 60.6% and 45.9%, respectively, received AF treatment (P < 0.01), and only 22.4% and 17.2%, respectively, received anticoagulation therapy (P = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS In China, there are urban-rural disparities in AF in the elderly, with a higher prevalence and worse management in rural areas than urban areas. Our study findings provide insight for health policymakers to consider urban-rural disparity in the prevention and treatment of AF.

Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy and Effects on gastrointestinal dynamics and inflammatory factors levels of combined treatment with electromagnetic stimulation and Shugan Qingwei Tang for reflux esophagitis(RE).Methods:142 cases of liver and stomach depression heat type RE patients who were treated in our hospital from April 2021 to May 2023 were selected.The patients were divided into control group(conventional drug therapy combined with electromagnetic stimulation)and study group(Shugan Qingwei decoction was added to the control group)by random number table method,with 71 cases each.The curative effect,gastrointestinal dynamics indexes,inflammatory factors and adverse reactions were observed between the two groups.Results:Compared with control group after treatment,the clinical total effective rate,serum gastrin(GAS),and motilin(MTL)were higher,while serum tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),c-reactive protein(CRP),interleukin-1β(IL-1β),and interleukin-6(IL-6)were lower in the study group(P＜0.05).There were no obvious adverse reactions between both groups.Conclusion:The combination therapy of Shugan Qingwei Tang and electromagnetic stimulation can improve the clinical treatment effect,improve gastrointestinal function,reduce the level of inflammatory factors,and has good safety for RE patients.

Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy and Effects on gastrointestinal dynamics and inflammatory factors levels of combined treatment with electromagnetic stimulation and Shugan Qingwei Tang for reflux esophagitis(RE).Methods:142 cases of liver and stomach depression heat type RE patients who were treated in our hospital from April 2021 to May 2023 were selected.The patients were divided into control group(conventional drug therapy combined with electromagnetic stimulation)and study group(Shugan Qingwei decoction was added to the control group)by random number table method,with 71 cases each.The curative effect,gastrointestinal dynamics indexes,inflammatory factors and adverse reactions were observed between the two groups.Results:Compared with control group after treatment,the clinical total effective rate,serum gastrin(GAS),and motilin(MTL)were higher,while serum tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),c-reactive protein(CRP),interleukin-1β(IL-1β),and interleukin-6(IL-6)were lower in the study group(P＜0.05).There were no obvious adverse reactions between both groups.Conclusion:The combination therapy of Shugan Qingwei Tang and electromagnetic stimulation can improve the clinical treatment effect,improve gastrointestinal function,reduce the level of inflammatory factors,and has good safety for RE patients.

Objective:To explore the clinical value of the three-dimensional fat suppression fast spoiled gradient echo (3D-FS-FSPGR) MRI sequence in the preoperative evaluation of congenital radial polydactyly.Methods:The data of children with congenital radial polydactyly who underwent surgical treatment in the Department of Orthopedics at Shanxi Children’s Hospital from May 2021 to April 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Preoperative X-ray examinations and MRI 3D-FS-FSPGR sequence scans were performed on the children. Radiologists first described the morphological characteristics of the articular cartilage, and then orthopedic surgeons performed the Wassel classification based on the X-ray and MRI imaging result, focusing on the bifurcation level, morphology, and articular surface of the phalangeal and metacarpal cartilage. The corresponding surgical method was selected according to the Wassel classification, and intraoperative incision exploration was used as the gold standard. Six months after surgery, the surgical outcome was evaluated using the modified Tada scoring system [with a total score of 0-7, and classified as excellent: >5 points, good: 3-5 points, and poor: <3 points; the excellent and good rate = (excellent + good) cases/total number of cases × 100%]. The appearance, function and recurrence of the operated finger were evaluated 1 year after surgery. Descriptive statistics were performed using SPSS 26.0 software, and the Kappa coefficient was used to evaluate the consistency of the Wassel classification result between radiographs, MRI 3D-FS-FSPGR sequences and intraoperative exploration respectively.Results:A total of 45 children (55 fingers) with congenital radial polydactyly were enrolled, including 25 males and 20 females, aged 5 to 60 months, with the median age of 9 months. Unilateral findings were seen in 35 cases and bilateral findings in 10 cases. MRI 3D-FS-FSPGR imaging sequences clearly demonstrated the level of cartilage bifurcation and bone tissue growth and development, which were consistent with intraoperative exploration findings. The accuracy of the MRI 3D-FS-FSPGR Wassel classification was 100% (55/55), and the accuracy of the X-ray Wassel classification was 81.8% (45/55). Disagreements were found in the classifications of five fingers: three with X-ray classifications of Wassel type Ⅳ but actually classified as type Ⅲ, and two with X-ray classifications of Wassel type Ⅳ but actually classified as type Ⅴ. The Kappa coefficients were all >0.85. All patients were followed up for 1 year. The modified Tada score showed excellent in 41 fingers, good in 6 fingers, and poor in 8 fingers, for an excellent and good rate of 85.5% (47/55). At final follow-up, the reconstructed thumbs showed significant improvement in appearance, with normal bone axis restoration, no deviation of the digits, and normal nail appearance. There was no significant scarring or contracture. Functions of thumb flexion, extension, grasping, and opposition were good. There was no postoperative deformity or recurrence.Conclusion:MRI 3D-FS-FSPGR sequences can accurately classify congenital radial polydactyly preoperatively, optimize the surgical incision and osteotomy alignment, and achieve excellent surgical outcomes.

Phthalate esters are plasticizers that people are often exposed to in daily life.They are closely related to our lives and generally exist in the air,soil and water.Studies show that the exposure to phthalates is associated with male reproductive damage.When the concentration of phthalates reaches a certain level in the body,it can reduce the count and motility of sperm,induce abnor-malities in the reproductive system and organs,and affect male fertility.This review summarizes the advances in the studies of the met-abolic pathway of phthalate esters in the human body,the mechanism underlying their damage to the male reproductive system and their antagonistic effect.

Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of pneumococcal meningitis(PM),and drug sensitivity of Streptococcus pneumoniae(SP)isolates in Chinese children.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical information,laboratory data,and microbiological data of 160 hospitalized children under 15 years old with PM from January 2019 to December 2020 in 33 tertiary hospitals across the country.Results Among the 160 children with PM,there were 103 males and 57 females.The age ranged from 15 days to 15 years,with 109 cases(68.1% )aged 3 months to under 3 years.SP strains were isolated from 95 cases(59.4% )in cerebrospinal fluid cultures and from 57 cases(35.6% )in blood cultures.The positive rates of SP detection by cerebrospinal fluid metagenomic next-generation sequencing and cerebrospinal fluid SP antigen testing were 40% (35/87)and 27% (21/78),respectively.Fifty-five cases(34.4% )had one or more risk factors for purulent meningitis,113 cases(70.6% )had one or more extra-cranial infectious foci,and 18 cases(11.3% )had underlying diseases.The most common clinical symptoms were fever(147 cases,91.9% ),followed by lethargy(98 cases,61.3% )and vomiting(61 cases,38.1% ).Sixty-nine cases(43.1% )experienced intracranial complications during hospitalization,with subdural effusion and/or empyema being the most common complication[43 cases(26.9% )],followed by hydrocephalus in 24 cases(15.0% ),brain abscess in 23 cases(14.4% ),and cerebral hemorrhage in 8 cases(5.0% ).Subdural effusion and/or empyema and hydrocephalus mainly occurred in children under 1 year old,with rates of 91% (39/43)and 83% (20/24),respectively.SP strains exhibited complete sensitivity to vancomycin(100% ,75/75),linezolid(100% ,56/56),and meropenem(100% ,6/6).High sensitivity rates were also observed for levofloxacin(81% ,22/27),moxifloxacin(82% ,14/17),rifampicin(96% ,25/26),and chloramphenicol(91% ,21/23).However,low sensitivity rates were found for penicillin(16% ,11/68)and clindamycin(6% ,1/17),and SP strains were completely resistant to erythromycin(100% ,31/31).The rates of discharge with cure and improvement were 22.5% (36/160)and 66.2% (106/160),respectively,while 18 cases(11.3% )had adverse outcomes.Conclusions Pediatric PM is more common in children aged 3 months to under 3 years.Intracranial complications are more frequently observed in children under 1 year old.Fever is the most common clinical manifestation of PM,and subdural effusion/emphysema and hydrocephalus are the most frequent complications.Non-culture detection methods for cerebrospinal fluid can improve pathogen detection rates.Adverse outcomes can be noted in more than 10% of PM cases.SP strains are high sensitivity to vancomycin,linezolid,meropenem,levofloxacin,moxifloxacin,rifampicin,and chloramphenicol.[Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics,2024,26(2):131-138]

Objective To investigate effect of preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidies(PGT-A)on the reproductive outcomes of women of advanced maternal age(AMA)(≥ 38 years),and to analyze factors influencing the live birth rate in AMA women who have received PGT-A.Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted.AMA women undergoing PGT-A were enrolled in the PGT-A group.All of them underwent their first oocyte retrieval cycle between January 2019 and June 2023.AMA women undergoing in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection(IVF/ICSI)and their first oocyte retrieval cycle over the same period of time were enrolled in the control group(the non-PGT-A group)via propensity score matching.The PGT-A group and the non-PGT-A group each included 193 cycles,which were followed up until January 2024.Follow-up concerning live births was completed for all oocyte retrieval cycles conducted between January 2019 and October 2022.The reproductive outcomes were compared between the two groups.The primary outcome indicator was cumulative live birth rate(CLBR)per oocyte retrieval,while the secondary outcome indicators were cumulative clinical pregnancy rate(CCPR)per oocyte retrieval and spontaneous abortion rate.For the 145 cycles in the PGT-A group with completed live birth follow-up,binary logistic regression analysis and receiver operator characteristic(ROC)curves were used to analyze the influencing factors of live birth rates.Results A total of 145 cycles in the PGT-A group and 161 cycles in the non-PGT-A group completed follow-up for live births.The CLBR per oocyte retrieval of the PGT-A group was 25.52％(37/145),while that of the non-PGT-A group was 28.50％(46/161),with no significant difference being observed between the two groups(P＜0.05).Of the 193 oocyte retrieval cycles in each group,53 cycles in the PGT-A group and 72 cycles in the non-PGT-A group resulted in clinical pregnancies,with the difference in the CCPR per oocyte retrieval being statistically significant(27.46％vs.37.31％,P＜0.05).Concerning clinical pregnancies,the spontaneous abortion rate of the PGT-A group was lower than that of the non-PGT-A group,with the difference being statistically significant(7.55％vs.25.00％,P＜0.05).In AMA women who had undergone PGT-A for reproductive assistance,maternal age(odds ratio[OR]=0.786,95％confidence interval[CI]:0.635-0.973)and the antral follicle count(AFC)(OR=1.110,95％CI:1.013-1.216)were correlated with the outcome of live births outcome.The probability of live births decreased with increasing maternal age and decreasing AFC.When the female age was ≥ 42 years or when AFC ≤ 8,the expected live birth outcome of PGT-A assisted pregnancy was poor.Conclusion PGT-A does not affect the CLBR per oocyte retrieval in AMA women,but it can effectively reduce the risks of implantation failure and spontaneous abortion due to fetal aneuploidies.For PGT-A-assisted pregnancy in AMA women,maternal age and AFC are important factors affecting the live birth outcomes.

Objective:To investigate the value of digital medical 3D technology versus traditional 2D technology in the diagnosis and treatment of solid abdominal tumors in children. Methods:A total of 80 children with solid abdominal tumors who received surgical treatment guided by digital medical 3D technology at Guigang People's Hospital from January 2018 to January 2022 were included in the observation group. An additional 80 children with solid abdominal tumors who received surgical treatment guided by traditional 2D technology at the same hospital from January 2014 to December 2017 were included in the control group. Clinical efficacy was compared between the two groups.Results:The surgical time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative exhaust time, postoperative hospital stay in the observation group were (111.8 ± 28.9) minutes, (26.8 ± 25.2) mL, (2.2 ± 1.2) days, (7.5 ± 1.4) days, respectively, which were significantly shorter or less than those in the control group [(193.1 ± 66.0) minutes, (86.2 ± 47.0) mL, (3.7 ± 0.9) days, (12.2 ± 3.5) days, t = 7.00, 6.88, 5.87, 7.53, all P < 0.05]. The complete surgical resection rate in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group [92.5% (74/80) vs. 81.3% (65/80), χ2 = 4.44, P < 0.05]. The incidence of complications in the observation group was significantly lower than that in the control group [6.3% (5/80) vs. 16.3% (13/80), χ2 = 4.00, P < 0.05]. Conclusion:The utilization of digital medical 3D technology in the surgical treatment of solid abdominal tumors in children can markedly decrease surgical time, reduce intraoperative blood loss, promote postoperative recovery, achieve a high surgical resection rate, and minimize postoperative complications.

AIM To establish the HPLC characteristic chromatogram of Baqi Rougan Decoction reference sample,and to investigate its quantitative transmission laws.METHODS The contents of calycosin 7-O-glucoside,hesperidin,rosmarinic acid,curcumenol and nystose were determined.The transfer rates of decoction piece-aqueous decoction-reference sample were calculated,after which the paste-forming rate and pH value were recorded.RESULTS There were sixteen characteristic peaks in fifteen batches of reference samples with the similarities of 0.90,nine of which were identified.The average transfer rates of nystose and calycosin 7-O-glucoside in the reference sample were(83.14±6.25)%and(77.81±8.31)%,while those of rosmarinic acid and curcumenol in the aqueous decoction-reference sample were(81.71±6.27)%and(72.16±5.91)%,along with the average paste-forming rate and pH value of(38.91%±1.46%)and 5.13±0.08,respectively.CONCLUSION This stable and feasible method can provide a reference for the selection of preparation process and evaluation of key chemical properties for Baqi Rougan Decoction.