Chronic prostatitis is a common and frequently occurring disease in male clinics. Due to the diverse symptoms， complex etiology， unclear mechanisms， and recurrent episodes of chronic prostatitis， Western medicine often faces the challenge of limited treatment options and unsatisfactory outcomes. In order to fully leverage the unique advantages of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） in the treatment of chronic prostatitis， the China Association of Chinese Medicine organized a discussion among experts from the fields of TCM urology， Western urology， and related pharmacy. The experts focused on the advancements in the understanding of chronic prostatitis in modern medicine， various theories on the etiology， pathogenesis， and treatment of chronic prostatitis in TCM， entry points from interdisciplinary fields， the role and advantages of TCM in the comprehensive management of chronic prostatitis， and research into mechanisms related to chronic prostatitis. After discussions， the experts concluded that chronic prostatitis is one of the diseases where TCM has a distinct advantage. TCM can effectively improve the clinical syndromes of chronic prostatitis， including urinary issues， social psychology， organ specificity， infection， nervous system problems， pain and discomfort， sexual dysfunction， etc.， and can enhance the quality of life. For patients with chronic prostatitis who cannot tolerate or may not accept the adverse effects of Western medicine， as well as for those with non-inflammatory chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome （CP/CPPS）， those with pain as the primary symptom， those with urinary tract symptoms， those with coexisting anxiety and depression， and those with abnormal semen liquefaction， TCM-based treatment can be the main approach. Currently， the optimal diagnosis and treatment strategy for chronic prostatitis has not yet been established， and further research from perspectives such as clinical epidemiology， evidence-based medicine， and molecular biology is needed. Both TCM and Western medicine should integrate their respective strengths， clarify the role and advantages of TCM interventions based on mutual reference， and improve the diagnosis and treatment standards for chronic prostatitis in China.

Objective:To summarize the clinical treatment of complete left bundle branch block (CLBBB) after the transcatheter closure of ventricular septal defect (VSD).Methods:A case series study was conducted on the treatments and outcomes of 25 children with CLBBB after transcatheter VSD closure in Guangdong Provincial People′s Hospital from January 2010 to December 2023.Paired sample t test was used to evaluate the effect of occlude removal. Results:Among the 25 patients, 12 were males (48%), and 13 were females (52%).The age at surgery was 3.18 (2.51-3.86) years, the height before surgery was 95.0 (90.0-97.5) cm, and the weight before surgery was 13 (12-15) kg.Fourteen children were early-onset cases (≤ 1 month), while the other 11 were late-onset cases (> 1 month).The mean follow-up time was (6.63±3.93) years.Of the 14 early-onset cases, 6 children underwent occluder removal within 1 month and restored normal heart rhythm or incomplete right bundle branch block; 4 children underwent occluder removal after 1 month, of whom 2 recovered, 1 remained CLBBB, and 1 had complete atrioventricular block (CAVB); the other 4 children received drug treatment, of whom 2 had normal heart rhythm, 1 had left anterior fascicular block, and 1 died of cardiac shock and heart failure.All the 11 late-onset cases were first treated by drugs, of whom 3 recovered, and the other 8 remained CLBBB.One of the 8 cases received occluder removal at 8 months after surgery and recovered, 1 had CAVB, and the other 6 remained CLBBB.Conclusions:For patients with CLBBB after transcatheter closure of VSD, drug therapy is not always effective, and CLBBB is easy to recur.Therefore, occluder removal is recommended to be done immediately after CLBBB is discovered.Patients with persistent CLBBB should be followed up regularly, and pacemaker implantation may be performed if necessary.

Objective:To explore the clinical application of preimplantation genetic testing for monogenic disorders (PGT-M) in an unique case with Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) type 2+ 0.Methods:A special SMA family presented at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University on October 19, 2020 was selected as the study subject. Multiple ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) and molecular tagging linkage analysis were carried out to identify the SMN1 genotype of the couple and their fetus. Subsequently, next-generation sequencing (NGS), molecular tagging linkage analysis, and chromosomal microarray analysis were employed to determine the haplotypes and validate the result of PGT-M on the 11 embryos derived for the couple. Results:The female partner was identified as a carrier of the rare SMN1[2+ 0] variant, and prenatal diagnosis confirmed the fetus to be affected by SMA. Ultimately, PGT-M has successfully selected four embryos free from the pathogenic SMN1 variants and X chromosome deletion. Conclusion:PGT-M can effectively prevent the transmission of rare genetic variants such as the SMA 2+ 0 subtype in the families. Above finding has provided guidance for genetic counseling and family planning for the couple.

Objective To establish a PCR-based capillary electrophoresis(PCR/CE)to detect Survival Motor Neuron 1(SMN1)and Survival Motor Neuron 2(SMN2)genes and to evaluate its performance.Methods PCR/CE and Multiplex Ligation-dependent Probe Amplification(MLPA)for SMA gene diagnosis were used to blindly test the samples in sync.The performance of PCR/CE was assessed using MLPA results as the standard.Results A total of 336 samples were included in this study,consisting of 50 homozygous deletion types(14.9%),65 heterozygous deletion types(19.3%),and 221 non-deletion types(65.8%).The results of PCR/CE for detect-ing SMN1 and SMN2 copy numbers(0,1,2,3,≥4)were in complete agreement with the results of the MLPA.Conclusions PCR/CE for gene testing related to SMA could accurately detect copy numbers of exon 7 and exon 8 of the SMN1 and SMN2 genes(0,1,2,3,≥4).

Portable low-cost magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems have the potential to enable “point-of-care” and timely MRI diagnosis, and to make this imaging modality available to routine scans and to people in underdeveloped countries and areas. With simplicity, no maintenance, no power consumption, and low cost, permanent magnets/magnet arrays/magnet assemblies are attractive to be used as a source of static magnetic field to realize the portability and to lower the cost for an MRI scanner. However, when taking the canonical Fourier imaging approach and using linear gradient fields, homogeneous fields are required in a scanner, resulting in the facts that either a bulky magnet/magnet array is needed, or the imaging volume is too small to image an organ if the magnet/magnet array is scaled down to a portable size. Recently, with the progress on image reconstruction based on non-linear gradient field, static field patterns without spatial linearity can be used as spatial encoding magnetic fields (SEMs) to encode MRI signals for imaging. As a result, the requirements for the homogeneity of the static field can be relaxed, which allows permanent magnets/magnet arrays with reduced sizes, reduced weight to image a bigger volume covering organs such as a head. It offers opportunities of constructing a truly portable low-cost MRI scanner. For this exciting potential application, permanent magnets/magnet arrays have attracted increased attention recently. A magnet/magnet array is strongly associated with the imaging volume of an MRI scanner, image reconstruction methods, and RF excitation and RF coils, etc. through field patterns and field homogeneity. This paper offers a review of permanent magnets and magnet arrays of different kinds, especially those that can be used for spatial encoding towards the development of a portable and low-cost MRI system. It is aimed to familiarize the readers with relevant knowledge, literature, and the latest updates of the development on permanent magnets and magnet arrays for MRI. Perspectives on and challenges of using a permanent magnet/magnet array to supply a patterned static magnetic field, which does not have spatial linearity nor high field homogeneity, for image reconstruction in a portable setup are discussed.
Diagnosis ; Head ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Magnetic Fields ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Objective To explore the hemostatic value of performed Microporous polysaccharide hemosph-eres in marginal placenta previa caesarean section,and assess the suitability of the application in primary hospitals. Methods 70 patients with marginal placenta previa were chosen,who regularly antenatal examined in Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center from November 2013 to October 2015,and they were randomly divided into two groups:research group(35 patients were performed haemostatics)and control group(35 patients were not performed haemostatics).Results The research group was obviously succeeded in the hemostasis time[(22.8 ±6.2)min vs (11.1 ±5.6)min;t =3.26,P <0.05],local suture[(4.6 ±1.5)times vs (1.9 ±0.7)times;t =3.87,P <0.05], 2h amount of bleeding[(685.4 ±126.7)mL vs (460.1 ±89.3)mL;t =4.66,P <0.05],24h amount of bleeding [(972.0 ±203.5)mL vs (632.3 ±107.1)mL;t =5.19,P <0.05]and failure rate(17.1% vs 2.9%,χ2 =3.96, P <0.05)than those in the control group.There were no significant differences between the two groups in postopera-tive disease rate,puerperal infection rate,the incidence rate of uterine involution,intrauterine adhesions,thrombosis. Conclusion The hemostatic effect is remarkable of Microporous polysaccharide hemospheres used in marginal placenta previa during caesarean section.It works quickly,easily,with little side effects,and is so suitable for promo-tion in primary hospitals.

Objective To investigated the clinical distributions and antimicrobial susceptibility of Streptococcus agalactia strains isolated from the patients .Methods The identification and susceptibility of the strains were mainly measured by automatic VITEK‐Ⅱ system ,the K‐B disc diffusion tests were used for the resistance test of erythromycin ,meropenem ,and D‐test .Results The iso‐lates were mainly from urine (63 .1% ) ,genital tract(7 .8% ) and wound secretion(6 .7% ) .They were obtained from patients in dif‐ferent situations ,including 110 patients who were older than 50 years old (61 .5% ) ,113 female patients (63 .1% ) ,12 gravidas (6 .7% ) ,3 vertical transmitted newborns(1 .7% ) ,and 82 patients with cancer ,undergoing chemo radiotherapy ,with diabetes ,tuber‐culosis or after operations(45 .8% ) .The resistant rates of the isolated Streptococcus agalactia to erythromycin and clindamycin were 42 .9% -93 .3% and 41 .9% -80 .0% respectively .The positive rate of D‐test was 4 .1% .The strains were highly resistant to tet‐racycline(>80% ) ,while the resistance to penicillin was below 10% except in 2008 .All isolates were susceptible to vancomycin and meropenem .Only one strain was resistant to Quinupristin‐dalfopristin .Conclusion Streptococcus agalactia infection in adults most‐ly cause genitourinary tract ,skin and soft tissue infections .There were more females than males with Streptococcus agalactia infec‐tion .Penicillin andβ‐lactams are still the first choice for the treatment .Erythromycin ,clindamycin and tetracycline should be used with caution under the guidance of laboratory susceptibility test results .

OBJECTIVETo investigate serum vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C), VEGF-D and VEGFR-3 levels in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and analyze their relation with the clinicopathological and thyroid function of the patients.

METHODSSerum samples and the data of thyroid function were collected from 55 patients with PTC and 24 with benign thyroid tumor (BT). ELISA was used to detect VEGF-C/D and VEGFR-3 concentration in the serum samples and their relation with the thyroid function was analyzed.

RESULTSThe VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 levels were significantly higher in PTC group than in BT group (P<0.05), but VEGF-D level was comparable between them (P>0.05). In PTC patients, the elevation of serum VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 levels was associated with an advanced clinical stage (III-IV), elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level, an age over 45 years, and a tumor diameter exceeding 2 cm (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Patients with lymph node metastasis had significantly higher VEGF-C level but lower VEGF-3 level than those without metastasis regardless of gender. Serum VEGF-D level was higher in PTC patients with lymph node metastasis (P<0.05) and elevated TSH level (P<0.01) without association with the clinical stage, tumor diameter, age, or gender. The area under ROC curve (AUC) of serum VEGF-C, VEGFR-3 and TSH was 0.803, 0.734 and 0.707 respectively (P<0.01), and that of VEGF-D was 0.556 (P>0.05); when combined, serum VEGF-C, VEGFR-3 and TSH showed an AUC of 0.862 (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONDetecting serum VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 levels combined with TSH may enhance the early diagnosis rate of papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Carcinoma ; blood ; diagnosis ; Carcinoma, Papillary ; Early Detection of Cancer ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; blood ; diagnosis ; Thyrotropin ; blood ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C ; blood ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor D ; blood ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-3 ; blood

Objective To investigate serum vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C), VEGF-D and VEGFR-3 levels in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and analyze their relation with the clinicopathological and thyroid function of the patients. Methods Serum samples and the data of thyroid function were collected from 55 patients with PTC and 24 with benign thyroid tumor (BT). ELISA was used to detect VEGF-C/D and VEGFR-3 concentration in the serum samples and their relation with the thyroid function was analyzed. Results The VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 levels were significantly higher in PTC group than in BT group (P<0.05), but VEGF-D level was comparable between them (P>0.05). In PTC patients, the elevation of serum VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 levels was associated with an advanced clinical stage (III-IV), elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level, an age over 45 years, and a tumor diameter exceeding 2 cm (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Patients with lymph node metastasis had significantly higher VEGF-C level but lower VEGF-3 level than those without metastasis regardless of gender. Serum VEGF-D level was higher in PTC patients with lymph node metastasis (P<0.05) and elevated TSH level (P<0.01) without association with the clinical stage, tumor diameter, age, or gender. The area under ROC curve (AUC) of serum VEGF-C, VEGFR-3 and TSH was 0.803, 0.734 and 0.707 respectively (P<0.01), and that of VEGF-D was 0.556 (P>0.05);when combined, serum VEGF-C, VEGFR-3 and TSH showed an AUC of 0.862 (P<0.01). Conclusion Detecting serum VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 levels combined with TSH may enhance the early diagnosis rate of papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Objective To investigate serum vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C), VEGF-D and VEGFR-3 levels in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and analyze their relation with the clinicopathological and thyroid function of the patients. Methods Serum samples and the data of thyroid function were collected from 55 patients with PTC and 24 with benign thyroid tumor (BT). ELISA was used to detect VEGF-C/D and VEGFR-3 concentration in the serum samples and their relation with the thyroid function was analyzed. Results The VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 levels were significantly higher in PTC group than in BT group (P<0.05), but VEGF-D level was comparable between them (P>0.05). In PTC patients, the elevation of serum VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 levels was associated with an advanced clinical stage (III-IV), elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level, an age over 45 years, and a tumor diameter exceeding 2 cm (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Patients with lymph node metastasis had significantly higher VEGF-C level but lower VEGF-3 level than those without metastasis regardless of gender. Serum VEGF-D level was higher in PTC patients with lymph node metastasis (P<0.05) and elevated TSH level (P<0.01) without association with the clinical stage, tumor diameter, age, or gender. The area under ROC curve (AUC) of serum VEGF-C, VEGFR-3 and TSH was 0.803, 0.734 and 0.707 respectively (P<0.01), and that of VEGF-D was 0.556 (P>0.05);when combined, serum VEGF-C, VEGFR-3 and TSH showed an AUC of 0.862 (P<0.01). Conclusion Detecting serum VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 levels combined with TSH may enhance the early diagnosis rate of papillary thyroid carcinoma.