OBJECTIVE: To explore the anatomical parameters of the cervical uncinate process "inflection point" through cervical CT angiography (CTA) and MRI measurements, offering a reliable and safe anatomical landmark for anterior cervical decompression surgery. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the cervical CTA and MRI imaging data of normal adults who met the selection criteria between January 2020 and January 2024. The CTA dataset included 326 cases, with 200 males and 126 females, aged 22-55 years (mean, 46.7 years). The MRI dataset included 300 cases, with 200 males and 100 females, aged 18-55 years (mean, 43.7 years). Based on the CTA data, three-dimensional models of C ₃-C ₇ were constructed, and the following measurements were obtained from the superior view: uncinate process "inflection point" to vertebral artery distance (UIVD), uncinate process tip to vertebral artery distance (UTVD), uncinate process "inflection point" to "inflection point" distance (UID), uncinate process long-axis to sagittal angle (ULSA), and uncinate process "inflection point" to transverse foramen-sagittal angle (UITSA). From the anterior view, the anterior uncinate process to sagittal angle (AUSA) was measured. From the posterior view, the posterior uncinate process to sagittal angle (PUSA) was measured. Based on the MRI data, uncinate process "inflection point" to dural sac distance (UIDD) and dural sac width (DSW) were measured. The trends in measurement parameters of C ₃-C ₇ were observed, and the differences in measurement parameters between genders and between the left and right sides of the same segment were compared, as well as the difference in UID and DSW within the same segment was compared. RESULTS: The measurement parameters from C ₃ to C ₇ in the CTA data showed a general increasing trend, with no significant difference between the left and right sides within the same segment ( P>0.05). The UIVD, UTVD, and UID were greater in males than in females, with significant differences observed in the UIVD and UTVD at C ₃ and C ₆ and UID at C ₃, C ₆, and C ₇ ( P<0.05). The MRI measured DSW showed a general increasing trend from C ₃ to C ₇, and the DSW at C ₆ was greater in females than in males, with a significant difference ( P<0.05). The UIDD showed a gradual decreasing trend, with the smallest value at C ₆. There was no significant difference between males and females or between the left and right sides within the same segment ( P>0.05). The UID was greater than the DSW at C ₃-C ₇, and the differences were significant ( P<0.05). CONCLUSION The uncinate process "inflection point" is a constant anatomical structure located at the anteromedial aspect of the uncinate process tip and laterally to the dural sac. It maintains a certain safe distance from the vertebral artery. As a decompression landmark in anterior cervical spine surgery, it not only ensures surgical safety but also guarantees complete decompression.
Humans ; Adult ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Cervical Vertebrae/surgery* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Decompression, Surgical/methods* ; Young Adult ; Adolescent ; Computed Tomography Angiography ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Vertebral Artery/anatomy & histology* ; Anatomic Landmarks/diagnostic imaging*

OBJECTIVES: To study the clinical characteristics of pediatric Behçet syndrome (BS). METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted on the medical records of children hospitalized in the Department of Pediatrics at the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University between December 2014 and December 2024 who met diagnostic criteria for BS. RESULTS: Among 45 children with BS, 26 (58%) were male. Oral aphthous ulcers were the most common manifestation (43/45, 96%), followed by genital ulcers (23/45, 51%) and gastrointestinal involvement (18/45, 40%). Genital ulcers were more frequent in girls, whereas ocular involvement was more common in boys (P<0.05). The pathergy test was positive in 10 (22%), and HLA-B51 was positive in 13 (29%). Fecal calprotectin (FC) was elevated in 16 (36%); gastrointestinal involvement was more frequent in children with elevated FC than in those with normal FC (P<0.05). According to the respective criteria, 17 (38%) patients met the International Study Group criteria (1990), 33 (73%) met the International Criteria for Behçet Disease (2014), and 13 (29%) met the Pediatric Behçet Disease criteria (2015). CONCLUSIONS Pediatric BS shows marked clinical heterogeneity. HLA-B51 is associated with disease susceptibility.
Humans ; Behcet Syndrome/genetics* ; Male ; Female ; Child ; Retrospective Studies ; Adolescent ; Child, Preschool ; Leukocyte L1 Antigen Complex/analysis* ; HLA-B51 Antigen

Objective To explore the efficacy differences between 3 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging with zero echo time(3T MRI ZTE)and high resolution computed tomography(HRCT)in the detection of pulmonary nodules and the classification diagnosis of the lung imaging reporting and data system(Lung-RADS)in sub-health populations.Methods Clinical and imaging data of 93 patients with pulmonary nodules(126 nodules in total)admitted to some hospital from July to December 2023 were retrospectively analyzed.The 126 nodules were categorized into a benign nodule group(n=51)and a malignant nodule group(n=75)using pathological findings as the gold standard.All the patients underwent examinations by 3T MRI ZTE and HRCT to compare the detection rates of the two measures for pulmonary nodules;the missed and misdiagnosis rates of 3T MRI ZTE,HRCT and Lung-RADS grading were contrasted with the postoperative pathological diagnosis results as the gold standard;comparison analyses of 3T MRI ZTE signs and HRCT signs were performed between the two groups and the patients with different Lung-RADS grades;3T MRI ZTE,HRCT and Lung-RADS grading were compared with the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve in terms of diagnosis efficacy for pulmonary nodules,and the consistency analysis was carried out.Results No discernible statistical variation was observed in the detection rates of pulmonary nodules between 3T MRI ZTE and HRCT(P>0.05).Lung-RADS grading had the highest rates of missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis,and 3T MRI ZTE and HRCT had similar detection rates.The malignant nodule group was different from the benign nodule group in the 3T MRI ZTE and HRCT signs in terms of lesion size,spiculation sign,lobulation sign,calcifica-tion,pleural indentation sign,cavity sign,boundary and bronchial cut-off sign,with the differences being statistically signi-ficant(all P<0.05).For the patients of Lung-RADS grade 3,the 3T MRI ZTE and HRCT signs had significant differences in terms of lesion size,spiculation sign,lobulation sign,calcification,pleural indentation sign,cavity sign and bronchial cut-off sign(all P<0.05).For the patients of Lung-RADS grade 4A,the 3T MRI ZTE and HRCT signs had significant differen-ces in terms of lesion size,calcification,boundary and bronchial cut-off sign(all P<0.05).For the patients of Lung-RADS grade 4B,the 3T MRI ZTE and HRCT signs had significant differences in terms of lesion size and calcification(all P<0.05).For the patients of Lung-RADS grade 4X,there were no significant differences found between the 3T MRI ZTE and HRCT signs(all P>0.05).HRCT had the highest sensitivity,specificity,accuracy,AUC value,predictive values and Kappa value for benign and malignant nodules,3T MRI ZTE had the values slightly lower than those of HRCT,and Lung-RADS grading had the lowest values when compared with HRCT and 3T MRI ZTE.Conclusion HRCT and 3T MRI ZTE are complementary for the evaluation of pulmonary nodules,and the differences in imaging signs between them show graded dependence.3T MRI ZTE and HRCT have no significant differences in the detection rate of pulmonary nodules,while HRCT gains advanta-ges in differentiating benign and malignant pulmonary nodules,and references are provided for the screening and clinical early diagnosis of pulmonary nodules.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(9):52-59]

Thoracolumbar spine fracture often leads to severe pain, functional impairments, and neurological deficits, for which open reduction and internal fixation can effectively restore the spinal structural stability. Open decompression and reduction with internal fixation can help relieve spinal cord compression and improve spinal function in cases of concomitant cord injury. Although spinal stability can be restored through surgery, patients often face chronic pain and functional impairments postoperatively. A postoperative rehabilitation program is critical in optimizing therapeutic outcomes, reducing complications, and minimizing the risk of secondary injuries. However, current rehabilitation methods, such as physical therapy, functional training, and pain management, are confronted with problems in clinical practice, including significant variation in efficacy, poor patient adherence, and prolonged rehabilitation period. There is an urgent need for a unified rehabilitation strategy to address these problems. To this end, the Spinal Trauma Group of the Orthopedic Physicians Branch of the Chinese Medical Association and the Spine Health Professional Committee of the Chinese Human Health Technology Promotion Association organized experts from relevant fields to formulate Evidence-based guidelines for rehabilitation treatment after internal fixation of thoracolumbar spine fracture in adults ( version 2025) by integrating evidences from clinical researches and advanced rehabilitation concepts at home and abroad. A total number of 14 recommendations concerning the rehabilitation treatment with multimodal analgesia, psychological intervention, deep vein thrombosis prevention, core muscle and extremity exercise, appropriate use of braces, early weight-bearing, device-aided rehabilitation exercise, neuroregulatory therapy, rehabilitation team were put forward, aiming to standardize the post-operative rehabilitation process following internal fixation, promote the functional recovery, and enhance patients′ quality of life.

Acute symptomatic osteoporotic thoracolumbar compression fracture (ASOTLF) can lead to chronic low back pain, kyphosis deformity, pulmonary dysfunction, loss of mobility, and even life-threatening complications. Vertebral augmentation is currently the mainstream treatment method for this condition. In 2019, the Editorial Board of Chinese Journal of Trauma and the Spinal Trauma Group of Orthopedic Surgeons Branch of Chinese Medical Doctor Association collaboratively led the development of Clinical guideline for vertebral augmentation for acute symptomatic osteoporotic thoracolumbar compression fractures. Six years later, with advances in clinical diagnosis and treatment techniques as well as accumulating evidence in related fields, the 2019 guideline requires updating. To this end, the Spinal Trauma Group of Orthopedic Surgeons Branch of Chinese Medical Doctor Association, the Spinal Health Professional Committee of China Human Health Science and Technology Promotion Association, and the Minimally Invasive Orthopedics Professional Committee of Shaanxi Medical Doctor Association have organized experts in the field to develop the Clinical guideline for vertebral augmentation of acute symptomatic osteoporotic thoracolumbar compression fractures ( version 2025) , based on the latest evidence-based medical researches. This guideline incorporates 3 recommendations retained from the 2019 version with updated strength of evidence, along with 12 new recommendations. It provides recommendations from six aspects of diagnosis, pain management, treatment option selection, prevention of postoperative complications, anti-osteoporosis therapy, and postoperative rehabilitation, aiming to provide a reference for standard treatment of vertebral augmentation for ASOTLF in hospitals at all levels.

BACKGROUND:For thoracolumbar spine fractures with developmental stenosis of the vertebral arch,accurate nail placement is difficult using traditional fluoroscopy-assisted techniques.O-arm navigation assistance systems offer higher precision in general vertebral arch nail placement,but there is scarce literature on the application of O-arm navigation-assisted nail placement in thoracolumbar spine fractures with developmental stenosis of the vertebral arch both domestically and abroad. OBJECTIVE:To explore the accuracy of percutaneous vertebral arch nail placement assisted by O-arm navigation in patients with thoracolumbar spine fractures complicated by developmental stenosis of the vertebral arch. METHODS:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 53 patients who underwent percutaneous vertebral arch screw fixation surgery at Department of Orthopedics,General Hospital of Central Theater Command of PLA for thoracolumbar spine fractures complicated by developmental stenosis of the vertebral arch from January 2021 to March 2023.Totally 208 cases of vertebral arch developmental stenosis were found(cases with multiple vertebral arch developmental stenosis were counted separately).Based on the surgical approach,the patients were divided into two groups:O-arm navigation group(n=98)and C-arm fluoroscopy group(n=110).Postoperative imaging data were compared between the two groups,including anatomical perforation score,functional perforation score,actual vs.expected nail trajectory in the horizontal plane,and sagittal plane angle differences. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)There was no significant difference in the narrowest width of the pedicle isthmus(pow)between the two groups of patients(P>0.05).The proportions of different degrees of narrowing(mild:6 mm≤pow<7 mm,moderate:5 mm≤pow<6 mm,severe:pow<5 mm)were also not significantly different between the two groups(P>0.05).(2)The overall grade and scores of anatomical perforation and functional perforation were lower in the O-arm group compared to the C-arm group,and these differences were statistically significant(P<0.001).In terms of the angular deviation between the actual and planned screw trajectories,the O-arm group had smaller deviations,and these differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).(3)In the mild and moderate narrowing groups,the O-arm group showed significant advantages in anatomical perforation,functional perforation,and angular deviation between actual and planned screw trajectories,and these differences were statistically significant(P<0.001).(4)The O-arm group demonstrated better performance in anatomical perforation and functional perforation,especially in the T12-L2 segment,with more significant advantages.Additionally,the O-arm group had better angular deviations in actual and planned screw trajectories in all segments compared to the C-arm group.(5)Therefore,the use of O-arm navigation-assisted percutaneous screw placement for the treatment of thoracolumbar fractures with developmental pedicle isthmal narrowing provides higher accuracy and safer surgery.

Forensic medicine has been designated as a first-level discipline,presenting new opportunities and challenges for the development of forensic medicine.Since the 1980s,the establishment of foren-sic medicine discipline and the cultivation of high-level forensic talents have become hot topics in the development of forensic medicine in China.Since the 13th Five-Year Plan,the forensic team of Shanxi Medical University has been aiming at the forefront,proposing the development goals of"Five First-class"and the discipline development path"Six Major Achievements".It has selected benchmark disci-plines,identified gaps in disciplinary development,unified thoughts,formulated completion timelines,concentrated superior resources,assigned tasks to individuals,and created an"Organized Fill-in-the-Blank Format"forensic medicine discipline construction model with the characteristics of the new era.The construction model of forensic medicine has achieved good results in the goals,discipline frame-work,scientific research,talent cultivation,discipline team and platform construction,forming a rela-tively complete discipline construction and management system,and accumulating valuable experience for the construction of first-level discipline and high-level talent cultivation of forensic medicine.

Objective Radiotherapy plays a crucial role in the treatment of pediatric rhabdomyosarcoma.However,children face greater challenges than adults in maintaining precise body positioning during radiotherapy.This study aims to analyze and calculate the setup errors in children with head and neck rhabdomyosarcoma during radiotherapy,and determine the optimal clinical target volume-planning target volume(CTV-PTV)margin and organ-at-risk planning risk volume(OAR-PRV)margin.Methods A total of 102 pediatric patients with head and neck rhabdomyosarcoma who received radiotherapy using the Varian Edge linear accelerator were enrolled.All children were immobilized with a 5-point thermoplastic mold.During treatment,Varian cone-beam computed tomography(CBCT)images were acquired for setup verification in the first 3 fractions,followed by weekly CBCT verification thereafter.Setup errors were obtained in 6 directions:left-right(LR),superior-inferior(SI),anterior-posterior(AP),rotation around the X-axis(Pitch),rotation around the Y-axis(Roll),and rotation around the Z-axis(Rtn).Results A total of 791 CBCT images were acquired.The individual systematic errors in the LR,SI,and AP directions were 0.052,0.064,and 0.051 cm,respectively;the individual random errors in these 3 directions were 0.084,0.089,and 0.078 cm,respectively.According to the Stroom's formula in the ICRU-62 report,the calculated CTV-PTV margins in the LR,SI,and AP directions were 0.163,0.190,and 0.157 cm,respectively.Using the Van Herk formula,the CTV-PTV margins in the above 3 directions were 0.189,0.223,and 0.182 cm,respectively.The OAR-PRV margins calculated using the Mc Kenzie method were 0.110,0.128,and 0.105 cm in the LR,SI,and AP directions,respectively.Conclusion Based on the findings of this study,the CTV-PTV margins for pediatric head and neck rhabdomyosarcoma are within 0.3 cm,indicating that the 0.3 cm margin currently adopted by Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine is feasible.In addition,the OAR-PRV margins derived from this study are less than 0.2 cm,suggesting that the currently used 0.3 cm OAR-PRV margin can be reduced to 0.2 cm.This adjustment is beneficial for enhancing the protection of normal tissues while ensuring the treatment efficacy,thereby improving the accuracy and safety of radiotherapy.

Aim To investigate the effects of dimethyl-arginine dimethylamino hydrolase 1(DDAH1)on high glucose-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and mitoph-agy in vascular endothelial cells.Methods JC-1 stai-ning was used to detect mitochondrial membrane poten-tial.DCFH-DA fluorescent probe was employed to measure reactive oxygen species(ROS)levels.Ho-echst staining was used to assess cell apoptosis.Real-time PCR was conducted to detect DDAH1 mRNA lev-els.Western blot was performed to analyze the expres-sion of DDAH1,LC3-Ⅰ and LC3-Ⅱ proteins.Mitochon-drial probe Mitotracker and autophagosome marker pro-tein LC3 were used in cell immunofluorescence co-lo-calization to assess mitochondrial autophagy,and high-performance liquid chromatography was utilized to measure the levels of asymmetric dimethylarginine(ADMA)in cell supernatant.Results High glucose treatment for 48 h significantly reduced mitochondrial membrane potential,increased ROS production,and promoted apoptosis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs).High glucose downregulated the ex-pression of LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ proteins,reduced the co-lo-calization of Mitotracker and LC3,and inhibited mito-chondrial autophagy.Autophagy inhibitors 3-MA or CQ exacerbated high glucose-induced mitochondrial dam-age and apoptosis in HUVECs,while autophagy activa-tor RAPA alleviated these effects.High glucose signifi-cantly downregulated DDAH1 protein expression in HUVECs and increased ADMA levels in cell superna-tant.DDAH1 siRNA inhibited mitochondrial autoph-agy,reduced mitochondrial membrane potential,and promoted apoptosis,whereas DDAH1 overexpression enhanced mitochondrial autophagy and alleviated high glucose-induced apoptosis in HUVECs.Conclusion High glucose-induced endothelial mitochondrial dys-function is associated with the suppression of DDAH1 expression,the increase of ADMA levels,and thereduc-tion of mitochondrial autophagy.

Objective To explore the efficacy differences between 3 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging with zero echo time(3T MRI ZTE)and high resolution computed tomography(HRCT)in the detection of pulmonary nodules and the classification diagnosis of the lung imaging reporting and data system(Lung-RADS)in sub-health populations.Methods Clinical and imaging data of 93 patients with pulmonary nodules(126 nodules in total)admitted to some hospital from July to December 2023 were retrospectively analyzed.The 126 nodules were categorized into a benign nodule group(n=51)and a malignant nodule group(n=75)using pathological findings as the gold standard.All the patients underwent examinations by 3T MRI ZTE and HRCT to compare the detection rates of the two measures for pulmonary nodules;the missed and misdiagnosis rates of 3T MRI ZTE,HRCT and Lung-RADS grading were contrasted with the postoperative pathological diagnosis results as the gold standard;comparison analyses of 3T MRI ZTE signs and HRCT signs were performed between the two groups and the patients with different Lung-RADS grades;3T MRI ZTE,HRCT and Lung-RADS grading were compared with the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve in terms of diagnosis efficacy for pulmonary nodules,and the consistency analysis was carried out.Results No discernible statistical variation was observed in the detection rates of pulmonary nodules between 3T MRI ZTE and HRCT(P>0.05).Lung-RADS grading had the highest rates of missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis,and 3T MRI ZTE and HRCT had similar detection rates.The malignant nodule group was different from the benign nodule group in the 3T MRI ZTE and HRCT signs in terms of lesion size,spiculation sign,lobulation sign,calcifica-tion,pleural indentation sign,cavity sign,boundary and bronchial cut-off sign,with the differences being statistically signi-ficant(all P<0.05).For the patients of Lung-RADS grade 3,the 3T MRI ZTE and HRCT signs had significant differences in terms of lesion size,spiculation sign,lobulation sign,calcification,pleural indentation sign,cavity sign and bronchial cut-off sign(all P<0.05).For the patients of Lung-RADS grade 4A,the 3T MRI ZTE and HRCT signs had significant differen-ces in terms of lesion size,calcification,boundary and bronchial cut-off sign(all P<0.05).For the patients of Lung-RADS grade 4B,the 3T MRI ZTE and HRCT signs had significant differences in terms of lesion size and calcification(all P<0.05).For the patients of Lung-RADS grade 4X,there were no significant differences found between the 3T MRI ZTE and HRCT signs(all P>0.05).HRCT had the highest sensitivity,specificity,accuracy,AUC value,predictive values and Kappa value for benign and malignant nodules,3T MRI ZTE had the values slightly lower than those of HRCT,and Lung-RADS grading had the lowest values when compared with HRCT and 3T MRI ZTE.Conclusion HRCT and 3T MRI ZTE are complementary for the evaluation of pulmonary nodules,and the differences in imaging signs between them show graded dependence.3T MRI ZTE and HRCT have no significant differences in the detection rate of pulmonary nodules,while HRCT gains advanta-ges in differentiating benign and malignant pulmonary nodules,and references are provided for the screening and clinical early diagnosis of pulmonary nodules.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(9):52-59]