A local context fusion based segmentation model which uses a local context attention mechanism to filter out irrelevant feature information and enhance the attention to important regions is presented for accurate polyp segmentation. The features at different scales are captured by multi-kernel dilated convolution for improving the accuracy of polyp boundary segmentation. Pyramid context selection module utilizes shallow encoder features to compensate for the low-level information lost by the deeper encoder,enabling the model to adapt to polyps of various sizes. The proposed model achieves accuracies of 97.67％,97.19％ and 99.23％ on Kvasir-SEG,EndoScene and CVC-ClinicDB datasets,respectively,with mIoU of 91.20％,88.31％ and 94.75％,respectively,exhibiting higher accuracy and generalizability than the existing classical methods and validating its superior performance in polyp segmentation. The proposed model can improve polyp segmentation accuracy and provide a more accurate aid for polyp segmentation.

Objective: To investigate the effect of loss of function of lanosterol synthase( LSS) gene on intestinal function in a mouse model of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease( NAFLD) induced by a high-fat diet． Methods: LSS gene heterozygous knockout C57 mice ( LSS + / －) were established using the CRISRP / Cas9 system．After being fed a high-fat diet with 60% fat content for 6 months，the fat deposition in liver tissues was detected by HE and Oil red O staining，the morphological changes of small intestine tissue were detected by HE staining．The changes in total cholesterol content in intestinal tissue were detected by kits．The gastrointestinal motility function of mice was detected by phenol red paste．The intestinal permeability was detected by Evans blue staining，and the expression of LSS，tight junction protein ( Claudin) -1，Claudin-5，cluster of differentiation 36 ( CD36) ，and Niemann-Pick type C1-like 1 protein ( NPC1L1) proteins in small intestinal tissues were detected by Western blot． Results : The results of HE and Oil red O staining of liver tissues showed that liver fat deposition in LSS gene heterozygous knockout mice was lower than that in wild-type mice in the high-fat diet group．The total cholesterol content in intestinal tis- sue of LSS gene heterozygous knockout mice decreased ( P ＜0. 01) ，but no morphological differences were ob- served between the two groups of mice by HE staining of intestinal tissues．The gastrointestinal motility function of LSS gene heterozygous knockout mice did not show significant changes．The intestinal permeability of LSS gene het- erozygous knockout mice in the high-fat diet group decreased as detected by Evans blue ( P＜0. 05) ．The expres- sion levels of Claudin-5 protein in the intestinal tissue of LSS gene heterozygous knockout mice in the high-fat diet group increased ( P ＜0. 05 ) ，while the expression of LSS protein in the intestinal tissues of LSS heterozygous knockout mice decreased ( P ＜0. 05) ． Conclusion In the NAFLD model induced by a high-fat diet，LSS gene heterozygous knockout reduces liver fat deposition induced by a high-fat diet and improves intestinal barrier function by regulating cholesterol metabolism in intestinal tissues and up-regulating the expression of Claudin-5．

A local context fusion based segmentation model which uses a local context attention mechanism to filter out irrelevant feature information and enhance the attention to important regions is presented for accurate polyp segmentation. The features at different scales are captured by multi-kernel dilated convolution for improving the accuracy of polyp boundary segmentation. Pyramid context selection module utilizes shallow encoder features to compensate for the low-level information lost by the deeper encoder,enabling the model to adapt to polyps of various sizes. The proposed model achieves accuracies of 97.67％,97.19％ and 99.23％ on Kvasir-SEG,EndoScene and CVC-ClinicDB datasets,respectively,with mIoU of 91.20％,88.31％ and 94.75％,respectively,exhibiting higher accuracy and generalizability than the existing classical methods and validating its superior performance in polyp segmentation. The proposed model can improve polyp segmentation accuracy and provide a more accurate aid for polyp segmentation.

Sulfur dioxide (SO2), a novel endogenous gas signaling molecule, is involved in the regulation of cardiac function. Exerting a key role in progression of hyperthyroidism-induced cardiomyopathy (HTC), myocardial fibrosis is mainly caused by myocardial apoptosis, leading to poor treatment outcomes and prognoses. This study aimed to investigate the effect of SO2 on the hyperthyroidism-induced myocardial fibrosis and the underlying regulatory mechanisms. Elisa, Masson staining, Western-Blot, transmission electron microscope, and immunofluorescence were employed to evaluate the myocardial interstitial collagen deposition, endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS), apoptosis, changes in endogenous SO2 , and Hippo pathways from in vitro and in vivo experiments. The study results indicated that the hyperthyroidism-induced myocardial fibrosis was accompanied by decreased cardiac function, and down-regulated ERS, apoptosis, and endogenous SO2 -producing enzyme aspartate aminotransferase (AAT)1/2 in cardiac myocytes. In contrast, exogenous SO2 donors improved cardiac function, reduced myocardial interstitial collagen deposition, up-regulated AAT1/2, antagonized ERS and apoptosis, and inhibited excessive activation of Hippo pathway in hyperthyroid rats. In conclusion, the results herein suggested that SO2 inhibited the overactivation of the Hippo pathway, antagonized ERS and apoptosis, and alleviated myocardial fibrosis in hyperthyroid rats. Therefore, this study was expected to identify intervention targets and new strategies for prevention and treatment of HTC.

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics and management status of children with Turner syndrome (TS) in China.Methods:As a cross-sectional study, 1 089 TS patients were included in the database of the National Collaborative Alliance for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Turner Syndrome from August 2019 to November 2023. Clinical characteristics (growth development, sexual development, organ anomalies, etc.), karyotypes, auxiliary examinations, and treatments were collected and analyzed.Results:Among the 1 089 TS cases, 809 were recorded karyotypes. The karyotype distribution was as follows: 45, X in 317 cases (39.2%), X chromosome structural variants (including partial deletions of p or q arm, ring chromosome, and marker chromosome) in 89 cases (11.0%), 45, X/46, XX mosaicism in 158 cases (19.5%), mosaicism with X chromosome structural variants in 209 cases (25.8%), and presence of Y chromosome material in 36 cases (4.4%). Among the 824 TS cases, the age of diagnosis was 9.7(6.4, 12.2) years, with a height standard deviation score (HtSDS) of -3.1±1.2. Five hundred and fifty three cases underwent growth hormone (GH) stimulation test, and 352 cases (63.7%) had GH peak values <10 μg/L and 75.9% (577/760) had low IGF1 levels, with IGF1 SDS ≤-2 accounting for 38.2% (290 cases). Among 471 cases aged ≥8 years, 132 cases (28.0%) showed spontaneous sexual development (mean bone age (11.0±1.7) years), 10 cases had spontaneous menarche (mean bone age (12.0±2.2) years), and 2 cases had regular menstrual cycles. Common physical features included cubitus valgus (311 cases (28.5%)), neck webbing (188 cases (17.2%)), low posterior hairline (185 cases (17.0%)), shield chest (153 cases (14.0%)), high arched palate (127 cases (11.6%)), short fourth metacarpal (43 cases (3.9%)), and spinal abnormalities (38 cases (3.5%)). Congenital cardiovascular and urogenital anomalies occurred in 91 cases (19.4%) and 66 cases (12.0%)respectively. Abdominal ultrasound in 33 cases (7.2%) indicated fatty liver, hepatomegaly, intrahepatic bile duct stones, and splenomegaly. Among 23 cases undergoing oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) test, 2 were diagnosed with diabetes mellitus and 4 with impaired glucose tolerance. Following diagnosis, 669 cases (80.7%) received rhGH treatment at a chronological age of (9±4) years and bone age of (8.3±3.2) years. Additionally, 112 cases (19.4%) received sex hormone replacement therapy starting at the age of (14±4) years and bone age of (12.6±1.2) years.Conclusions:The karyotypes of 45, X and mosaicism were most common in Chinese children with TS. The clinical manifestations were mainly short stature and gonadal dysplasia. However, a few TS children could be in the normal range of height, and some cases among those aged of ≥8 years old had spontaneous sexual development. Some exhibited physical features, congenital cardiovascular and urogenital anomalies, and dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary-IGF1 axis. Moreover, a few of them developed impaired glucose tolerance and diabetes mellitus. Following diagnosis, most of the patients received rhGH treatment, and a few of them received sex hormone replacement therapy.

Objective:To explore the clinical effect of reconstruction of soft tissue defect on the palmar side of 2 adjacent fingers with bilobed perforator flap of medial foot artery.Methods:From September 2020 to September 2023, 6 patients with soft tissue defects on the palmar side of 2 adjacent fingers were treated in the Department of Hand and Foot Microsurgery, the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University. After admission, Doppler ultrasound scan was performed to locate the perforating branches of the deep and superficial branches of medial foot artery, as well as the course of medial foot artery. A bilobed flap with two perforating branches of medial foot artery was used to reconstruct the soft tissue defects on the palmar side of 2 adjacent fingers. The perforators of medial foot artery were anastomosed with the proper palmar digital arteries, and the accompanying veins was anastomosed with the dorsal digital veins. The branches of saphenous nerve were anastomosed with the proper palmar digital nerves. The sizes of soft tissue defect were 4.5 cm×2.0 cm-3.0 cm×1.5 cm, and the flaps sized 5.0 cm×2.5 cm-3.5 cm×2.0 cm. All donor sites for the perforator flaps were covered by artificial dermis (4 patients) or autologous skin grafts (2 patients). Short and long-term follow-up for flap survival, flap shape, scar, and functions of interphalangeal joint and metacarpophalangeal joint function were evaluated in outpatient clinic and WeChat reviews.Results:All the bilobed perforator flaps of medial foot artery survived in 6 patients. There was no infection in the flap and donor area. Wounds in fingers and dornor sites in foot all healed well. Postoperative follow-up ranged 4-12 months, with an average of 9.3 months. The sensation of the palmar fingers recovered well with TPD at 7-10 mm and at 8.5 mm in average. The sensation recoveries were up to S 3-S 4. According to the Evaluation Trial Standards of Upper Limb Partial Function of Hand Surgery of the Chinese Medical Association, 5 patients (10 fingers) were rated as excellent and 1 patient (2 fingers) as good. The donor sites healed well and walking, running, jumping, mountaineering and other food motions were not affected, and without any obvious discomfort. According to the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Societ (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score, the ankle functions of 6 patients were evaluated as excellent. Conclusion:A bilobed perforator flap of medial foot artery is applied to reconstruct the soft tissue defects on the palmar side of 2 adjacent fingers. It can simultaneously reconstruct 2 defects in a single surgery, and offer a fast functional recovery and aesthetical appearance.

Objective:To explore the clinical effect of reconstruction of soft tissue defect on the palmar side of 2 adjacent fingers with bilobed perforator flap of medial foot artery.Methods:From September 2020 to September 2023, 6 patients with soft tissue defects on the palmar side of 2 adjacent fingers were treated in the Department of Hand and Foot Microsurgery, the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University. After admission, Doppler ultrasound scan was performed to locate the perforating branches of the deep and superficial branches of medial foot artery, as well as the course of medial foot artery. A bilobed flap with two perforating branches of medial foot artery was used to reconstruct the soft tissue defects on the palmar side of 2 adjacent fingers. The perforators of medial foot artery were anastomosed with the proper palmar digital arteries, and the accompanying veins was anastomosed with the dorsal digital veins. The branches of saphenous nerve were anastomosed with the proper palmar digital nerves. The sizes of soft tissue defect were 4.5 cm×2.0 cm-3.0 cm×1.5 cm, and the flaps sized 5.0 cm×2.5 cm-3.5 cm×2.0 cm. All donor sites for the perforator flaps were covered by artificial dermis (4 patients) or autologous skin grafts (2 patients). Short and long-term follow-up for flap survival, flap shape, scar, and functions of interphalangeal joint and metacarpophalangeal joint function were evaluated in outpatient clinic and WeChat reviews.Results:All the bilobed perforator flaps of medial foot artery survived in 6 patients. There was no infection in the flap and donor area. Wounds in fingers and dornor sites in foot all healed well. Postoperative follow-up ranged 4-12 months, with an average of 9.3 months. The sensation of the palmar fingers recovered well with TPD at 7-10 mm and at 8.5 mm in average. The sensation recoveries were up to S 3-S 4. According to the Evaluation Trial Standards of Upper Limb Partial Function of Hand Surgery of the Chinese Medical Association, 5 patients (10 fingers) were rated as excellent and 1 patient (2 fingers) as good. The donor sites healed well and walking, running, jumping, mountaineering and other food motions were not affected, and without any obvious discomfort. According to the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Societ (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score, the ankle functions of 6 patients were evaluated as excellent. Conclusion:A bilobed perforator flap of medial foot artery is applied to reconstruct the soft tissue defects on the palmar side of 2 adjacent fingers. It can simultaneously reconstruct 2 defects in a single surgery, and offer a fast functional recovery and aesthetical appearance.

Objective:To explore the rapid evaluation of the early pathogen of severe Chlamydophila psittaci pneumonia by bedside diagnostic bronchoscopy, so as to start effective anti-infection treatment before the results of macrogenome next generation sequencing (mNGS) test. Methods:The clinical data of three patients with severe Chlamydophila psittaci pneumonia who were successfully treated in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, the First People's Hospital of Aksu District, and the First Division Hospital of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps from October 2020 to June 2021 were retrospectively analyzed, including the rapid assessment of early pathogens by bedside diagnostic bronchoscopy and the use of antibiotics to start anti-infection treatment. These patients were successfully treated. Results:The three patients were male, aged 63, 45 and 58 years old, respectively. Before the onset of the penumonia, they had a clear medical history of bird exposure. The clinical manifestations mainly included fever, dry cough, shortness of breath and dyspnea. One case had abdominal pain and lethargy. The results of laboratory examination indicated that the peripheral blood white blood cell count (WBC) of two patients were high [(10.2-11.9)×10 9/L], the percentage of neutrophils increased (85.2%-94.6%) and the percentage of lymphocytes decreased (3.2%-7.7%) in all 3 patients after admission to hospital and entering into intensive care unit (ICU). The procalcitonin (PCT) of 3 patients increased after admission, and still increased when entering ICU (0.3-4.8 ng/L), so did C-reactive protein (CRP, 58.0-162.0 mg/L) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR, 36.0-90.0 mm/1 h). After admission, serum alanine transaminase (ALT) increased in 2 cases (136.7 U/L, 220.5 U/L), so did aspartate transaminase (AST) in 2 cases (249.6 U/L, 164.2 U/L). ALT (162.2-267.9 U/L) and AST (189.8-223.2 U/L) increased in 3 patients when they entered ICU. The level of serum creatinine (SCr) of 3 patients were normal after admission and entering ICU. The chest computed tomography (CT) findings of 3 patients were acute interstitial pneumonia, bronchopneumonia and lung consolidation, of which 2 cases were accompanied by a small amount of pleural effusion, and 1 case was accompanied by more regular small air sacs. Multiple lung lobes were involved, but mainly one lung lobe. The oxygenation index (PaO 2/FiO 2) of the 3 patients admitting to ICU were 100.0, 57.5 and 105.4 mmHg (1 mmHg ≈ 0.133 kPa), respectively, which met with the diagnostic criteria of moderate and severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). All three patients received endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation. Under the bedside bronchoscope, the bronchial mucosa of 3 patients were obviously congested and edematous, without purulent secretion, and there was 1 case with mucosal hemorrhage. Three patients underwent bedside diagnostic bronchoscopy, and the evaluation result of the pathogen was that it might be atypical pathogen infection, so they were given moxifloxacin, cisromet and doxycycline intravenously, respectively, and combined with carbapenem antibiotics intravenously. After 3 days, the detection results of mNGS in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) showed that only Chlamydia psittaci was infected. At this time, the condition was significantly improved, and PaO 2/FiO 2 was significantly increased. Therefore, the antibiotic treatment scheme remained unchanged, and mNGS only served to verify the initial diagnosis. Two patients were extubated on the 7th and 12th day of admission to the ICU, respectively, while one patient was extubated on the 16th day of admission to the ICU due to nosocomial infection. All 3 patients were transferred to the respiratory ward after the condition was stable. Conclusion:The bedside diagnostic bronchoscopy based on clinical characteristics is conducive to not only the rapid assessment of the early pathogens of severe Chlamydia psittaci pneumonia, but also effective anti-infection treatment before the returning of mNGS test results, which can make up for the lag and uncertainty of the mNGS test results.

Hypothyroidism alone can lead to myocardial fibrosis and result in heart failure, but traditional hormone replacement therapy does not improve the fibrotic situation. Hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S), a new gas signaling molecule, possesses antiinflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-fibrotic capabilities. Whether H 2 S could improve hypothyroidism-induced myocardial fibrosis are not yet studied. In our study, H 2 S could decrease collagen deposition in the myocardial tissue of rats caused by hypothyroidism. Furthermore, in hypothyroidism-induced rats, we found that H 2 S could enhance cystathionine-gamma-lyase (CSE), not cystathionine β-synthase (CBS), protein expressions. Finally, we noticed that H 2 S could elevate autophagy levels and inhibit the transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) signal transduction pathway. In conclusion, our experiments not only suggest that H 2 S could alleviate hypothyroidism-induced myocardial fibrosis by activating autophagy and suppressing TGF-β1/ SMAD family member 2 (Smad 2) signal transduction pathway, but also show that it can be used as a complementary treatment to conventional hormone therapy.

Objective:To investigate the effects of exogenous hydrogen sulfide on myocardial fibrosis and apoptosis in rats after myocardial infarction and the underlying mechanisms.Methods:Forty-three Sprague Dawley(SD)rats were divided into 4 groups according to the random number table method: a control group(n=12), a myocardial infarction group(MI group, n=13), an hydrogen sulfide(H 2S)group(n=6)and an MI+ H 2S group(n=12). The rat model of acute myocardial infarction was established by intraperitoneal injections of isoproterenol(50 mg/kg, once a day, for 2 days). Electrocardiogram and troponin changes were recorded 48 h after the last drug administration to determine whether the rat model was successfully constructed.After successful establishment of the model, rats in the MI group and the MI+ H 2S group were intraperitoneally injected with sodium hydrosulfide(56 μmol/kg, once a day, for 6 weeks).6 weeks later, echocardiogram and Masson's trichrome staining were performed to assess changes in cardiac function and collagen volume fraction in each group.Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase(TdT)dUTP nick end labeling(TUNEL)was used to detect the myocardial apoptosis rate in each group, and Western-blot was used to detect protein expression of Yes-related protein 1(YAP1), WW domain containing transcriptional regulator1(TAZ), mammalian Ste20-like kinase 2(MST2), Bcl-2-associated X protein(Bax), cysteine protease 3(caspase-3), the ratio of matrix metalloproteinase 3(MMP3)/matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor 2(TIMP2), and B-cell lymphoma factor(Bcl-2). Results:Compared with the control group, myocardial collagen volume fraction was increased( P<0.05), the myocardial cell apoptosis rate was increased( P<0.05), and myocardial YAP1, TAZ, MST2, Bax, caspase-3 protein expression and MMP3/TIMP2 ratio were increased in the MI group(all P<0.05), while the expression of Bcl-2 protein was decreased( P<0.05). Compared with the MI group, collagen volume fraction and the cardiomyocyte apoptosis rate were significantly decreased in the MI+ H 2S group( P<0.05). Also, protein expression of YAP1(2.406±0.024 vs.2.830±0.063), TAZ(0.964±0.090 vs.1.329±0.018), MST2(0.780±0.082 vs.1.788±0.097), Bax(1.500±0.008 vs.0.613±0.003)and caspase-3(0.620±0.024 vs.0.780±0.012)and the MMP3/TIMP2 ratio were decreased(all P<0.05), while protein expression of Bcl-2 was increased( P<0.05)in myocardial tissue. Conclusions:H 2S can mitigate myocardial fibrosis after myocardial infarction, through inhibiting the activation of the YAP1/TAZ signaling pathway, thus reducing apoptosis of cardiomyocytes.