A deep learning-based method for recognizing the minutiae in fingerprint,as well as a Python programming-based evaluation system for quantifying the evidence value of fingerprint was proposed.Firstly,latent fingerprints,which were developed using a series of fluorescent nanomaterials synthesized by chemical methods,were used as unknown fingerprint(UKFP),while ink impressed fingerprints were used as known fingerprint(KFP).Then,the bifurcations and terminations in minutiae were recognized using the improved YOLOv8 deep learning model.After that,the similarity index(Sim.)of UKFP vs KFP were calculated by analyzing the angle similarity factor(α)and the curve similarity factor(β)between UKFP and KFP,meanwhile,the sensitivity index(Sen.)were calculated by analyzing the fineness factor(γ)between UKFP and KFP.The evidence value(EV)of fingerprint was thus obtained by the combination of Sim.and Sen..The calculation formulas for above evaluation factors(i.e.α,β and γ),evaluation indexes(i.e.Sim.and Sen.),and EV were also put forward.Finally,the evaluation system for quantifying the evidence value of fingerprint was established,the feasibility and reliability of this system were verified,and the external factors that impacted on Sim.,Sen.,and EV were investigated in detail.The Python-based evaluation system for quantifying the evidence value of fingerprint could achieve the goals objectively,comprehensively,accurately and efficiently,exhibiting easy operability,high efficiency,responsiveness and reliability.This research was expected to provide beneficial references for quantitatively evaluating and thoroughly developing the evidence value.

The influence of material properties on fingerprint development effects were systematically studied.Firstly,carbon dots/NaYF4 and Cu nanoclusters/starch nanocomposites respectively possessing different fluorescent intensities and dual fluorescent colors,as well as NaYF4 micro-/nano-materials exhibiting different morphologies,sizes,and surface properties were chemically synthesized and further used for latent fingerprint development.Then,the developing effects were comprehensively evaluated by visual analysis combining with spectral characterization and Python-based calculation.Finally,the influences of material properties on latent fingerprint development were quantitatively evaluated from three dimensions including contrast,sensitivity,and selectivity.The fluorescence properties of developing materials and substrates could significantly affect the developing contrast,namely,the stronger the developing signal,the higher the contrast;the weaker the background noise,the higher the contrast.The sizes and morphologies of the developing materials could respectively influence the quantity and quality of developed minutiae,and significantly affect the developing sensitivity,namely,the smaller the particle size of developing materials,the more the quantity of developed minutiae and the higher the sensitivity;the smaller the surface area of developing materials,the higher the quality of developed minutiae and the higher the sensitivity.The surface properties together with the sizes and morphologies of developing materials could influence their adsorption performances,and significantly affect the developing selectivity,namely,the stronger the specific adsorption of developing materials with fingerprint substance,and the weaker the non-specific adsorption of developing materials with substrate,the higher the selectivity.Moreover,the fingerprint development using the materials with suitable surface area and appropriate mass would have a high selectivity.

The anti-counterfeiting application of three-color fluorescent carbon dots(CDs)in high-quality inkjet printing was studied.Blue,green and red fluorescent CDs were synthesized by solvothermal method using three kinds of isomers of phenylenediamine as precursor,and ethanol-glycerol mixture as solvent.The morphology,composition,structure,and optical properties were characterized.Blue,green and red fluorescent inks were then prepared by diluting CDs with water.The dilution ratio,excitation light source and filtering method were also optimized.The optimal dilution ratio of blue,green and red fluorescent ink was 5,5 and 20,respectively.Under 365,415 and 450 nm light excitation,bright blue,green and red fluorescence from above inks could be observed by using a blue,green and red filter,respectively.These fluorescent inks were finally used for high-quality inkjet printing through monochrome printing mode and polychrome printing mode.In addition,the sensitivity and contrast of printing were quantitatively investigated.The series of three-color fluorescent inks possessed great prospects in ordinary and invisible fluorescent anti-counterfeiting application.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer-associated death globally. Liver transplantation (LT) has emerged as a key treatment for patients with HCC, and the Milan criteria have been adopted as the cornerstone of the selection policy. To allow more patients to benefit from LT, a number of expanded criteria have been proposed, many of which use radiologic morphological characteristics with larger and more tumors as surrogates to predict outcomes. Other groups developed indices incorporating biological variables and dynamic markers of response to locoregional treatment. These expanded selection criteria achieved satisfactory results with limited liver supplies. In addition, a number of prognostic models have been developed using clinicopathological characteristics, imaging radiomics features, genetic data, and advanced techniques such as artificial intelligence. These models could improve prognostic estimation, establish surveillance strategies, and bolster long-term outcomes in patients with HCC. In this study, we reviewed the latest findings and achievements regarding the selection criteria and post-transplant prognostic models for LT in patients with HCC.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer-associated death globally. Liver transplantation (LT) has emerged as a key treatment for patients with HCC, and the Milan criteria have been adopted as the cornerstone of the selection policy. To allow more patients to benefit from LT, a number of expanded criteria have been proposed, many of which use radiologic morphological characteristics with larger and more tumors as surrogates to predict outcomes. Other groups developed indices incorporating biological variables and dynamic markers of response to locoregional treatment. These expanded selection criteria achieved satisfactory results with limited liver supplies. In addition, a number of prognostic models have been developed using clinicopathological characteristics, imaging radiomics features, genetic data, and advanced techniques such as artificial intelligence. These models could improve prognostic estimation, establish surveillance strategies, and bolster long-term outcomes in patients with HCC. In this study, we reviewed the latest findings and achievements regarding the selection criteria and post-transplant prognostic models for LT in patients with HCC.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer-associated death globally. Liver transplantation (LT) has emerged as a key treatment for patients with HCC, and the Milan criteria have been adopted as the cornerstone of the selection policy. To allow more patients to benefit from LT, a number of expanded criteria have been proposed, many of which use radiologic morphological characteristics with larger and more tumors as surrogates to predict outcomes. Other groups developed indices incorporating biological variables and dynamic markers of response to locoregional treatment. These expanded selection criteria achieved satisfactory results with limited liver supplies. In addition, a number of prognostic models have been developed using clinicopathological characteristics, imaging radiomics features, genetic data, and advanced techniques such as artificial intelligence. These models could improve prognostic estimation, establish surveillance strategies, and bolster long-term outcomes in patients with HCC. In this study, we reviewed the latest findings and achievements regarding the selection criteria and post-transplant prognostic models for LT in patients with HCC.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the dynamic changes of glucocorticoid (GC) dose and the feasibility of GC discontinuation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients under the background of Chinese medicine (CM). METHODS: This multicenter retrospective cohort study included 1,196 RA patients enrolled in the China Rheumatoid Arthritis Registry of Patients with Chinese Medicine (CERTAIN) from September 1, 2019 to December 4, 2023, who initiated GC therapy. Participants were divided into the Western medicine (WM) and integrative medicine (IM, combination of CM and WM) groups based on medication regimen. Follow-up was performed at least every 3 months to assess dynamic changes in GC dose. Changes in GC dose were analyzed by generalized estimator equation, the probability of GC discontinuation was assessed using Kaplan-Meier curve, and predictors of GC discontinuation were analyzed by Cox regression. Patients with <12 months of follow-up were excluded for the sensitivity analysis. RESULTS: Among 1,196 patients (85.4% female; median age 56.4 years), 880 (73.6%) received IM. Over a median 12-month follow-up, 34.3% (410 cases) discontinued GC, with significantly higher rates in the IM group (40.8% vs. 16.1% in WM; P<0.05). GC dose declined progressively, with IM patients demonstrating faster reductions (median 3.75 mg vs. 5.00 mg in WM at 12 months; P<0.05). Multivariate Cox analysis identified age <60 years [P<0.001, hazard ratios (HR)=2.142, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.523-3.012], IM therapy (P=0.001, HR=2.175, 95% CI: 1.369-3.456), baseline GC dose ⩽7.5 mg (P=0.003, HR=1.637, 95% CI: 1.177-2.275), and absence of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs use (P=0.001, HR=2.546, 95% CI: 1.432-4.527) as significant predictors of GC discontinuation. Sensitivity analysis (545 cases) confirmed these findings. CONCLUSIONS RA patients receiving CM face difficulties in following guideline-recommended GC discontinuation protocols. IM can promote GC discontinuation and is a promising strategy to reduce GC dependency in RA management. (Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, No. NCT05219214).
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy* ; Glucocorticoids/therapeutic use* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Retrospective Studies

Objective:To compare the efficacy of cannulated screw internal fixation combined with quadratus femoris bone flap with preservation of the posterior superior retinaculum and cannulated screw internal fixation alone in the treatment of femoral neck fracture in young and middle-aged patients.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 83 young and middle-aged patients with femoral neck fracture admitted to the 920th Hospital of Joint Logistic Support Force of PLA from January 2018 to January 2023, including 56 males and 27 females, aged 28-55 years [(42.7±3.2)years]. According to Garden classification, the fractures were classified as type III in 22 patients and type IV in 61. Based on Pauwels classification, the fractures were classified as type I in 15 patients, type II in 38 and type III in 30. Forty patients were treated with cannulated screw internal fixation combined with modified quadratus femoris bone flap (cannulated screw combined with bone flap group) and 43 with cannulated screw internal fixation alone (cannulated screw group). The two groups were compared in terms of the operation time, intraoperative blood loss, time to weight-bearing, length of hospital stay, and wound healing. The visual analogue scale (VAS) scores and Harris hip function scores at 1, 3, 6, 12 months after surgery and at the last follow-up. The postoperative complication rate was detected.Results:All the patients were followed up for 20-70 months [(40.0±1.2)months]. The operation time and intraoperative blood loss were (105.2±2.7)minutes and (100.6±16.3)ml in the cannulated screw combined with bone flap group, which were longer or more than (92.4±4.7)minutes and (92.5±14.6)ml in the cannulated screw group ( P<0.01). The time to weight-bearing was (12.1±1.4)weeks in the cannulated screw combined with bone flap group, shorter than (23.6±1.2)weeks in the cannulated screw group ( P<0.01). There was no statistically significant difference in the length of hospital stay between the two groups (P>0.05). The incisions in both groups were healed by first intention. At 1 month after surgery, no statistically significant difference was observed in VAS scores between the two groups ( P>0.05); at 3, 6, 12 months after surgery and at the last follow-up, the VAS scores were (6.6±0.2)points, (4.5±0.3)points, (3.2±0.5)points, and (2.6±0.4)points in the cannulated screw combined with bone flap group, lower than (7.0±0.1)points, (5.2±0.2)points, (3.9±0.4)points, and (3.3±0.1)points in the cannulated screw group ( P<0.05 or 0.01). At 1 and 3 months after surgery, no statistically significant difference was observed in the Harris hip function scores between the two groups ( P>0.05); at 6, 12 months after surgery and at the last follow-up, the Harris hip function scores were (82.2±1.7)points, (90.0±1.4)points, and (91.6±1.0)points in the cannulated screw combined with bone flap group, higher than (75.2±1.7)points, (83.4±1.9)points, and (85.2±0.7)points in the cannulated screw group ( P<0.01). At the last follow-up, in the cannulated screw combined with bone flap group, the Harris hip function was rated excellent in 32 patients, good in 5, and fair in 3, with an excellent and good rate of 92.5%, while in the cannulated screw group, the Harris hip function was rated excellent in 20 patients, good in 13, and fair in 10, with an excellent and good rate of 76.7% ( P<0.05). The postoperative complication rate was 5.0% (2/40) in the cannulated screw combined with bone flap group, significantly lower than 23.2% (10/43) in the cannulated screw group ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Compared with cannulated screw internal fixation alone, cannulated screw internal fixation combined with quadratus femoris bone flap with preservation of the posterior superior retinaculum has the advantages of earlier weight-bearing, less pain, better recovery of hip joint function, and lower incidence of postoperative complications in the treatment of femoral neck fracture in young and middle-aged patients, despite longer operation time and more intraoperative blood loss.

Objective To investigate the epidemiological characteristics of Mycoplasma pneumoniae(MP)infection among pediatric inpatients with respiratory tract infections(RTIs)at Children's Hospital of Hebei Province,providing evidence for clinical diagnosis and treatment.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 79 546 children hospitalized for RTIs between January 2016 and February 2024.Nasopharyngeal aspirates or deep sputum samples were collected,and polymerase chain reaction(PCR)was used to detect nucleic acids of 13 respiratory pathogens,including MP and adenovirus.The epidemiological trends across different years,seasons,genders,and age groups were analyzed.Results Among the 79 546 enrolled cases(male:47 437,59.6%;female:32 109,40.4%),the MP-positive rate was 17.7%(14 106/79 546),peaking in 2023(28.8%)and reaching the lowest in 2021(7.0%).Except for the period from July 2020 to March 2021 with exceptionally low MP positivity,epidemic peaks consistently occurred between August and February or March of the following year.Seasonal analysis revealed significantly higher MP positivity in autumn and winter compared to spring(P<0.001).Female children exhibited a higher MP-positive rate(20.1%,6444/32 109)than males(16.2%,7662/47 437)(P<0.001).The MP-positive rate increased with age:infancy(3.2%,849/26 741),toddlerhood(9.3%,1935/20 763),preschool(21.2%,3918/18 448),and school-age(54.5%,7404/13 594)(P<0.001).Co-infections with other respiratory pathogens were observed in 37.3%(5264/14 106)of MP-positive cases,with human rhinovirus(HRV)being the most frequent co-pathogen(43.3%,2279/5264 of mixed infections).Conclusion MP is a major pathogen of RTIs in hospitalized children at Children's Hospital of Hebei Province.Infections occur year-round but predominantly in autumn,with higher susceptibility in females and school-age children.Targeted preventive measures should be implemented during peak seasons to mitigate transmission risks.

Objective:To explore the effect of combining intensive laryngeal elevation training with repeated transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) based on the concept of " central-peripheral-central" (CPC) on dysphagia in stroke survivors.Methods:Eighty stroke survivors with dysphagia were selected and randomly divided into a control group, a lift group, an rTMS group and a combination group, each of 20. In addition to neurologic drug therapy and routine swallowing training, the lift group received intensive throat elevation training, the rTMS group received rTMS, while the combination group underwent both before and after 4 weeks of treatment, all were evaluated using video swallowing angiography (VFSS), a leakage-aspiration scale (PAS) and a functional oral feeding scale (FOIS).Results:After the treatment, the average VFSS, PAS and FOIS scores had improved significantly in all 4 groups, with those of the lift group, the rTMS group and the combination group then significantly better than the control group′s averages. The combination group′s scores were significantly better than those of the other 3 groups. There was no significant difference in any of the indexes between the lift and TMS groups.Conclusions:CPC-based intensive laryngeal ascent training combined with rTMS can significantly improve the swallowing of stroke survivors with dysphagia in convalescence.