OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of alirocumab combined with atorvastatin on clinical efficacy and safety of patients with acute coronary syndrome （ACS） who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention （PCI）. METHODS A total of 207 patients with ACS who underwent PCI in our hospital from January 2021 to December 2023 were randomly divided into alirocumab group， ezetimibe group and control group， with 69 cases in each group. All patients received routine thrombosis prevention and antihypertensive treatment after PCI. On this basis， patients in the control group were treated with atorvastatin （20 mg/time， once a day）； patients in the ezetimibe group were treated with ezetimibe （10 mg/time， once a day） + atorvastatin （20 mg/time， once a day）； patients in the alirocumab group were treated with alirocumab （75 mg/time， once every 2 weeks） + atorvastatin （20 mg/time， once a day）. All patients in the three groups were treated for 8 weeks and followed up for another 6 months after treatment. The levels of cardiac function and lipid metabolism indices before and after treatment， as well as the occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular event （MACE） and other adverse drug reaction （ADR） during the follow-up period were compared among the three groups. RESULTS After treatment for 8 weeks， the levels of cardiac function and lipid metabolism indices in the three groups were significantly improved compared with those before treatment （P＜0.05）. Compared with the control group and ezetimibe group， the left ventricular ejection fraction in the alirocumab group was significantly increased， and the left ventricular end-diastolic diameter （LVEDD） was significantly shortened （P＜0.05）. Compared with control group， LVEDD of ezetimibe group was significantly shortened （P＜0.05）， the levels of total cholesterol， triglyceride and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in the alirocumab group and ezetimibe group were significantly decreased （P＜0.05）. During the follow-up period， there was no significant difference in the total incidence of MACE and the total incidence of other ADR such as headache and abdominal pain among the three groups （P＞0.05）. CONCLUSIONS Alirocumab combined with atorvastatin can significantly improve cardiac function and regulate lipid metabolism indices in patients with ACS after PCI without increasing the risk of MACE or other ADR.

Objective: To investigate the clinical symptoms, laboratory tests, and treatment strategies of a case of fetal/neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (FNAIT) complicated with piperacillin drug antibody. Methods: The platelet antibodies in the mother were screened and identified by ELISA. The HLA antigens of the newborn were genotyped through PCR-SSO, while the specificity of HLA antibodies in the mother was determined using a Single Antigen kit. The drug antibody was detected by a piperacillin kit. Results: Maternal antibodies against paternally-derived platelet antigens were detected. The HLA genotypes of the newborn were identified as HLA A 33∶03 and HLA B 58∶01. The mother exhibited strong positive antibodies against the specific platelet antigens of the newborn, namely anti-HLA-A33 and anti-HLA-B58 antibodies. The piperacillin antibody was detected in the newborn. Following treatment of continuous intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), platelet transfusions, red blood cell transfusions and discontinuation of piperacillin treatment, the platelet count and hemoglobin levels increased in the newborn. Conclusion: The newborn in this case was diagnosed with FNAIT complicated by the presence of anti-HLA-A33 and anti-HLA-B58 antibodies, as well as drug-induced hemolytic anemia caused by piperacillin drug antibody. The condition is more complicated under the influence of dual immune antibodies. Laboratory detection techniques such as platelet antibody and drug antibody tests can assist in early clinical diagnosis. At the same time, more active drug and blood transfusion treatments should be given in clinical practice to improve the prognosis.

Objective: To investigate the clinical symptoms, laboratory tests, and treatment strategies of a case of fetal/neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (FNAIT) complicated with piperacillin drug antibody. Methods: The platelet antibodies in the mother were screened and identified by ELISA. The HLA antigens of the newborn were genotyped through PCR-SSO, while the specificity of HLA antibodies in the mother was determined using a Single Antigen kit. The drug antibody was detected by a piperacillin kit. Results: Maternal antibodies against paternally-derived platelet antigens were detected. The HLA genotypes of the newborn were identified as HLA A 33∶03 and HLA B 58∶01. The mother exhibited strong positive antibodies against the specific platelet antigens of the newborn, namely anti-HLA-A33 and anti-HLA-B58 antibodies. The piperacillin antibody was detected in the newborn. Following treatment of continuous intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), platelet transfusions, red blood cell transfusions and discontinuation of piperacillin treatment, the platelet count and hemoglobin levels increased in the newborn. Conclusion: The newborn in this case was diagnosed with FNAIT complicated by the presence of anti-HLA-A33 and anti-HLA-B58 antibodies, as well as drug-induced hemolytic anemia caused by piperacillin drug antibody. The condition is more complicated under the influence of dual immune antibodies. Laboratory detection techniques such as platelet antibody and drug antibody tests can assist in early clinical diagnosis. At the same time, more active drug and blood transfusion treatments should be given in clinical practice to improve the prognosis.

Objective:To investigate the risk factors for periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) after primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and construct a nomogram model for prediction of such risks.Methods:In this retrospective study, we enrolled 69 patients with PJI after primary TKA (the infection group, n=69) who had been admitted to Department of Orthopedics, Nanjing Jinling Hospital, The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University from January 2010 to December 2019. The non-infection group included the patients of the same kind but without postoperative infection during the same period who were matched according to time of admission, age, and gender in a ratio of 1∶3 ( n=207). The data on body mass index, anesthesia method, operation time, preoperative C-reactive protein, preoperative albumin, and comorbid medical conditions were collected from both groups to screen the risk factors for postoperative development of PJI using univariate and multivariate conditional logistic regression analyses. After a nomogram of the risk factors was plotted using R software, the consistency index (C-index) was calculated. The receiver operating characteristic curve, calibration curve, and clinical decision curve were drawn. Results:Multivariate conditional logistic regression analysis showed that preoperative albumin <35 g/L ( OR=7.166, 95% CI: 3.427 to 14.983, P<0.001), operation time >90 min ( OR=3.163, 95% CI: 1.476 to 6.779, P=0.003), diabetes mellitus ( OR=3.966, 95% CI: 1.833 to 8.578, P<0.001), rheumatic diseases ( OR=3.531, 95% CI: 1.362 to 9.156, P=0.009), and chronic lung diseases ( OR=4.734, 95% CI: 1.790 to 12.521, P=0.002) were risk factors for development of PJI after primary TKA. The nomogram constructed with R software visualized the model. The C-index of the nomogram was 0.809 (95% CI: 0.751 to 0.867), indicating a good predictive capability of the model. The calibration curves of the model showed that the nomogram was in good agreement with the actual observations. The decision curves showed that the threshold probabilities of the model ranged from 0.08 to 0.75, providing a good net clinical benefit. Conclusions:Preoperative low albumin, prolonged operation time, diabetes, rheumatic diseases, and chronic lung diseases may be the risk factors for PJI after primary TKA. The nomogram prediction model based on these factors can provide a reference for clinicians to prevent PJI.

Cancer immunotherapy has rapidly become the fourth mainstream treatment alternative after surgery,radiotherapy,and chemotherapy,with some promising results.It aims to kill tumor cells by mobilizing or stimulating cytotoxic immune cells.However,the clinical applications of tumor immunotherapies are limited owing to a lack of adequate delivery pathways and high toxicity.Recently,nanomaterials and genetic engineering have shown great potential in overcoming these limitations by protecting the delivery of antigens,activating targeted T cells,modulating the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment,and improving the treatment efficacy.Bacillus Calmette-Guérin(BCG)is a live attenuated Mycobacterium bovis vaccine used to prevent tuberculosis,which was first reported to have antitumor activity in 1927.BCG therapy can activate the immune system by inducing various cytokines and chemokines,and its specific immune and inflammatory responses exert antitumor effects.BCG was first used during the 1970s as an intravesical treatment agent for bladder cancer,which effectively improved immune antitumor activity and prevented tumor recurrence.More recently,nano-BCG and genetically engineered BCG have been proposed as treatment alternatives for bladder cancer due to their ability to induce stronger and more stable immune responses.In this study,we outline the development of nano-BCG and genetically engineered BCG for bladder cancer immunotherapy and review their potential and associated challenges.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the short-term efficacy of single-session microwave ablation for benign thyroid nodule.METHODS Patients with benign thyroid nodules treated by microwave ablation between June 2019 and December 2022 at the Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery,the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University,were included for analysis.Thyroid function was tested 1 month after treatment,and ultrasound and thyroid function were performed 3 months,6 months and 1 year after treatment.Volume reduction rates(VRR)of nodules were calculated.Data of the last follow-up within 1 year were included for analysis.Variables including gender,age,whether Hashimoto's thyroiditis was present,longitudinal diameter of nodules,solid volume of nodules were included for univariate and multivariate analysis.RESULTS A total of 151 patients with 163 nodules were included.The perioperative complication rate was 1.99%(3/151).The VRR at half year after treatment was(79.58±17.70)%,and the success rate at half year after treatment was 93.43%(128/137).The VRR of at 1year after treatment was(81.24±24.29)%.The 1-year treatment success rate was 92.77%(77/83).Univariate and multivariate analysis showed that nodular solid volume and age were independent factors affecting VRR after ablation.Regression coefficient of age and solid volume was 0.34(P<0.05)and-0.47(P<0.05),respectively.For every 1 cm3 increase in solid volume,1-year VRR(%)decreased by 0.47.Regression equation:1-year VRR=68.92+0.34×age-0.47×solid volume.Serum FT4 gradually decreased and the thyroid stimulating hormone(TSH)gradually increased within 6 months after ablation,and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).After 6 months,serum FT4 gradually recovered to the normal level and TSH gradually recovered.However,TSH still did not reach the preoperative level one year after ablation.FT3 decreased gradually after treatment,but there was no significant difference between the values at each time point(P=0.40).After the ablation of thyroid nodule,the mean value of thyroid function index fluctuated,but all of them were within the normal reference range.CONCLUSION Microwave ablation is a safe and effective treatment method for benign thyroid nodules,with an overall success rate of over 90%.Solid nodule volume and age are independent factors affecting the microwave ablation effect of benign thyroid nodules.

Objective To investigate the effect of ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane block(ESPB)on early postoperative respiratory function and inflammatory cytokines in patients with multiple rib fractures(MRFs).Methods Fifty-eight patients who underwent MRFs surgery,42 males and 16 females,aged 18-64 years,BMI 18.5-30.0 kg/m2,ASA physical status Ⅰ or Ⅱ,were selected from February 2019 to December 2021.The patients were divided into two groups using random number method:ESPB combined with general anesthesia group(group E)and general anesthesia alone group(group G),29 pa-tients in each group.All the patients in group E underwent ultrasound-guided ESPB in the lateral decubitus position after general anesthesia induction,and 0.5％ropivacaine 0.4 ml/kg was administered.Forced vital capacity(FVC),arterial blood gas analysis,VAS pain scores at rest and cough were recorded before anes-thesia induction,at discharge from PACU,24 and 48 hours after operation.The number of effective PCIA compressions during 0-24 hours and 24-48 hours after surgery and the number of rescue analgesia were re-corded.The concentrations of IL-6 and TNF-α were recorded before anesthesia induction,24 and 48 hours after operation.Results Compared with group G,the FVC was significantly higher,and the VAS score and PaCO2 were significantly lower in group E at discharge from PACU,24 and 48 hours after operation(P＜0.05).The number of effective PCIA compressions during 0-24 hours and 24-48 hours after surgery,the rate of rescue analgesia,the concentrations of IL-6 and TNF-α 24 and 48 hours after operation in group E were significantly lower than those in group G(P＜0.05).Conclusion Ultrasound-guided ESPB can pro-vide good postoperative analgesia,promote early postoperative recovery of respiratory function in patients with MRFs.

Pain is an uncomfortable and emotional experience associated with,or similar to,real or po-tential tissue damage.However,far from being a purely physiological sensation,pain involves complex emo-tional and neuromodulatory mechanisms.The pain neural circuit is a complex biological system,covering the multi-level structure of the central nervous system from peripheral neurons to the cerebral cortex,thalamus,a-mygdala and dorsal horn of the spinal cord,participating in the perception,conduction,and regulation of pain signals,involves multiple molecular and cellular interactions to build a comprehensive pain perception process.In recent years,the field of pain neural circuit research has used a variety of scientific and technological tools to provide the theoretical and technical support for the in-depth understanding and treatment of pain.This article aims to provide a comprehensive research status quo for the scholars in related fields and new ideas for clinical pain research and treatment by combing the application of different technologies in the study of pain neural circuits.

Objective:To investigate associations of serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) with carotid plaque stability in elderly patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS).Methods:Elderly AIS patients with carotid plaque detected by carotid ultrasound in the First People's Hospital of Xianyang from April 2022 to April 2024 were selected, and they were further divided into stable plaque group and vulnerable plaque group. Multivariate logisitic regression analysis was used to determine the correlation between serum VEGF/VEGFR2 and carotid plaque stability. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to analyze the differential value of serum VEGF and VEGFR2 on plaque stability. Results:A total of 183 patients were enrolled, including 139 males (75.96%), aged 68.10±4.97 years. One hundred and one patients (55.19%) had vulnerable plaques, and 82 (44.81%) had stable plaques. There were significant differences in age, triglycerides, VEGF, VEGFR2, baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores, and the proportion of patients with hypertension, diabetes, smoking, and statins between the vulnerable plaque group and the stable plaque group (all P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that serum VEGF (odds ratio [ OR] 1.021, 95% confidence interval [ CI] 1.004-1.037; P=0.015] and VEGFR2 ( OR 1.009, 95% CI 1.005-1.012; P<0.001) were independently associated with vulnerable plaques. ROC curve analysis showed that serum VEGF and VEGFR2 alone were effective in distinguishing plaque stability, and the areas under the curve were 0.744 (95% CI 0.673-0.815) and 0.809 (95% CI 0.749-0.870), respectively. The area under the curve of the combination of the two was 0.874 (95% CI 0.825-0.924). Conclusion:Serum VEGF and VEGFR2 are independently associated with vulnerable carotid plaques in elderly patients with AIS, and both alone or in combination have good discriminatory value for the stability of carotid plaques.

Objective:Analysis of subtype distribution characteristics of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, pathological findings of HPV-positive patients operated colposcopy and cervical histopathological examination in Changsha from 2020 to 2022.Methods:Retrospective analysis of HPV infection status of 60 354 patients was treated in the First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine from Jan. 2020 to Oct. 2022. They were divided into<25 years old group (3 250 cases), 25-34 years old group (19 406 cases), 35-44 years old group (17 297 cases), 45-54 years old group (13 104 cases), 55-64 years old group (4 793 cases) and≥65 years old group (2 504 cases). Cervical exfoliated cells were collected from women and specimen of lesion site were collected from men. HPV genotyping detection used polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and flow fluorescence hybridization, which could detect 27 HPV genotypes. Analyze the distribution of HPV subtypes in patients of different age groups and different treatment departments. Analyze the relationship between the infection of HPV subtypes and the outcome of 224 patients with HPV positive who also underwent colposcopy and cervical histopathology. Pearson correlation test was used for correlation analysis, and two-tailed P<0.05 was statistically significant; Pearson chi-square test or continuous correction chi-square test was used to compare the rates between groups, and two-tailed P<0.05 was statistically significant; Chi-square split test was used to compare multiple sample rates. The standard test was corrected according to the number of groups and then compared. The difference was statistically significant when the two-tailed P value was less than the corrected standard test. Results:The overall positive rate of HPV was 16.4% (9 909/60 354). Among all HPV positive patients, affection of single type HPV accounted for 75.5% (7 479/9 909) and affection of multi-type HPV accounted for 24.5% (2 430/9 909). The top six HPV types with infection rates from high to low were: HPV52 22.8% (2 256/9 909), HPV58 11.1% (1 097/9 909), HPV53 10.5% (1 045/9 909), HPV16 9.0% (890/9 909), HPV61 7.8% (774/9 909) and HPV6 7.6% (750/9 909). The difference of overall infection rate between different age groups was statistically significant (χ 2=536.90, P<0.001). The HPV infection rate was the highest in the<25 years old group, 30.1% (978/3 250), and it is higher than the age groups of 25-34 years old, 15.6% (3 035/19 406), group of 35-44 years old, 14.2% (2 464/17 297), group of 45-54 years old, 16.1% (2 115/13 104), group of 55-64 years old, 19.1% (915/4 793) and group of≥65 years old, 16.1% (402/2 504), with statistical significance( P<0.001 respectively). The most common types of HPV infection were type 6, 16.7% (378/2 266) and type 11, 10.5% (239/2 266) in dermatology clinics. The positive rate of HPV16 accounted for 12/17 in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 3 and cervical cancer cases, it was significantly higher than that in the inflammatory cases, 25.0% (35/140) and CIN1 cases, 23.0% (11/48), the statistical values were χ 2=15.02, P<0.001 and χ 2=12.48, P<0.001, respectively, all of which were statistically significant. Conclusions:HPV infection rate is highest in young people under 25 years old. Low-risk HPV6 and 11 are the main types of skin and venereal diseases. Among the total cases, high-risk HPV52, 58 and 53 are the most common types of infection with women in Changsha. However, high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and cervical cancer are more closely related to HPV16 infection.