INTRODUCTION: Radiology plays an integral role in fracture detection in the emergency department (ED). After hours, when there are fewer reporting radiologists, most radiographs are interpreted by ED physicians. A minority of these interpretations may miss diagnoses, which later require the callback of patients for further management. Artificial intelligence (AI) has been viewed as a potential solution to augment the shortage of radiologists after hours. We explored the efficacy of an AI solution in the detection of appendicular and pelvic fractures for adult radiographs performed after hours at a general hospital ED in Singapore, and estimated the potential monetary and non-monetary benefits. METHODS: One hundred and fifty anonymised abnormal radiographs were retrospectively collected and fed through an AI fracture detection solution. The radiographs were re-read by two radiologist reviewers and their consensus was established as the reference standard. Cases were stratified based on the concordance between the AI solution and the reviewers' findings. Discordant cases were further analysed based on the nature of the discrepancy into overcall and undercall subgroups. Statistical analysis was performed to evaluate the accuracy, sensitivity and inter-rater reliability of the AI solution. RESULTS: Ninety-two examinations were included in the final study radiograph set. The AI solution had a sensitivity of 98.9%, an accuracy of 85.9% and an almost perfect agreement with the reference standard. CONCLUSION An AI fracture detection solution has similar sensitivity to human radiologists in the detection of fractures on ED appendicular and pelvic radiographs. Its implementation offers significant potential measurable cost, manpower and time savings.
Humans ; Singapore ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Fractures, Bone/diagnostic imaging* ; Artificial Intelligence ; Retrospective Studies ; Adult ; Male ; Female ; Cost Savings ; Middle Aged ; Pelvic Bones/diagnostic imaging* ; Reproducibility of Results ; Aged ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Radiography

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effectiveness of Chinese medicine (CM) Lianhua Qingwen Granule (LHQW) and Jingyin Gubiao Prescription (JYGB) in asymptomatic or mild patients with Omicron infection in the shelter hospital. METHODS: This single-center retrospective cohort study was conducted in the largest shelter hospital in Shanghai, China, from April 10, 2022 to May 30, 2022. A total of 56,244 asymptomatic and mild Omicron cases were included and divided into 4 groups, i.e., non-administration group (23,702 cases), LHQW group (11,576 cases), JYGB group (12,112 cases), and dual combination of LHQW and JYGB group (8,854 cases). The length of stay (LOS) in the hospital was used to assess the effectiveness of LHQW and JYGB treatment on Omicron infection. RESULTS: Patients aged 41-60 years, with nadir threshold cycle (C_T) value of N gene <25, or those fully vaccinated preferred to receive CM therapy. Before or after propensity score matching (PSM), the multiple linear regression showed that LHQW and JYGB treatment were independent influence factors of LOS (both P<0.001). After PSM, there were significant differences in LOS between the LHQW/JYGB combination and the other groups (P<0.01). The results of factorial design ANOVA proved that the LHQW/JYGB combination therapy synergistically shortened LOS (P=0.032). CONCLUSIONS Patients with a nadir C_T value <25 were more likely to accept CM. The LHQW/JYGB combination therapy could shorten the LOS of Omicron-infected individuals in an isolated environment.
Humans ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; China/epidemiology* ; Hospitalization ; COVID-19 Drug Treatment ; COVID-19/epidemiology* ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Length of Stay ; Young Adult ; Aged

OBJECTIVE: Patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection frequently develop central nervous system damage, yet the mechanisms driving this pathology remain unclear. This study investigated the primary pathways and key factors underlying brain tissue damage induced by the SARS-CoV-2 beta variant (lineage B.1.351). METHODS: K18-hACE2 and C57BL/6 mice were intranasally infected with the SARS-CoV-2 beta variant. Viral replication, pathological phenotypes, and brain transcriptomes were analyzed. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis was performed to identify altered pathways. Expression changes of host genes were verified using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. RESULTS: Pathological alterations were observed in the lungs of both mouse strains. However, only K18-hACE2 mice exhibited elevated viral RNA loads and infectious titers in the brain at 3 days post-infection, accompanied by neuropathological injury and weight loss. GO analysis of infected K18-hACE2 brain tissue revealed significant dysregulation of genes associated with innate immunity and antiviral defense responses, including type I interferons, pro-inflammatory cytokines, Toll-like receptor signaling components, and interferon-stimulated genes. Neuroinflammation was evident, alongside activation of apoptotic and pyroptotic pathways. Furthermore, altered neural cell marker expression suggested viral-induced neuroglial activation, resulting in caspase 4 and lipocalin 2 release and disruption of neuronal molecular networks. CONCLUSION These findings elucidate mechanisms of neuropathogenicity associated with the SARS-CoV-2 beta variant and highlight therapeutic targets to mitigate COVID-19-related neurological dysfunction.
Animals ; COVID-19/genetics* ; Mice ; Brain/metabolism* ; Apoptosis ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; SARS-CoV-2/physiology* ; Pyroptosis ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Transcriptome ; Male ; Female

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease （NAFLD） is a multisystem disease associated with obesity， insulin resistance， and dyslipidemia and has a complex pathogenesis. Studies have shown that gut microbiota dysbiosis is closely associated with the onset of NAFLD， and traditional Chinese medicine treatment can improve the laboratory markers and clinical symptoms of NAFLD patients by regulating intestinal microbiota and its metabolites. This article elaborates on the association between NAFLD and gut microbiota， the involvement of gut microbiota dysbiosis in the pathogenesis of NAFLD， and the possible mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine treatment in improving NAFLD from the perspective of gut microbiota， in order to provide new ideas for the treatment of NAFLD.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of brexpiprazole in treating acute schizophrenia.Methods Patients with schizophrenia were randomly divided into treatment group and control group.The treatment group was given brexpiprozole 2-4 mg·d-1 orally and the control group was given aripiprazole 10-20 mg·d-1orally,both were treated for 6 weeks.Clinical efficacy of the two groups,the response rate at endpoint,the changes from baseline to endpoint of Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale(PANSS),Clinical Global Impression-Improvement(CGI-S),Personal and Social Performance scale(PSP),PANSS Positive syndrome subscale,PANSS negative syndrome subscale were compared.The incidence of treatment-related adverse events in two groups were compared.Results There were 184 patients in treatment group and 186 patients in control group.After treatment,the response rates of treatment group and control group were 79.50％(140 cases/184 cases)and 82.40％(150 cases/186 cases),the scores of CGI-I of treatment group and control group were(2.00±1.20)and(1.90±1.01),with no significant difference(all P＞0.05).From baseline to Week 6,the mean change of PANSS total score wese(-30.70±16.96)points in treatment group and(-32.20±17.00)points in control group,with no significant difference(P＞0.05).The changes of CGI-S scores in treatment group and control group were(-2.00±1.27)and(-1.90±1.22)points,PSP scores were(18.80±14.77)and(19.20±14.55)points,PANSS positive syndrome scores were(-10.30±5.93)and(-10.80±5.81)points,PANSS negative syndrome scores were(-6.80±5.98)and(-7.30±5.15)points,with no significant difference(P＞0.05).There was no significant difference in the incidence of treatment-related adverse events between the two group(69.00％vs.64.50％,P＞0.05).Conclusion The non-inferiority of Brexpiprazole to aripiprazole was established,with comparable efficacy and acceptability.

Objective:To explore the causal relationship between asthma, allergic rhinitis (AR), and chronic sinusitis (CRS), using two sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis, thereby providing foundational evidences for the pathogenesis and treatment of CRS.Methods:The genetic variations in AR and asthma were used as instrumental variables, with genetic data from the Integrated Epidemiology Unit (IEU) Open database. A total of 14 283 asthma and 18 934 AR cases were included, with 98 300 and 64 595 corresponding normal control cases, respectively. For CRS, there were 3 236 CRSwNP and 8 524 CRSsNP, respectively, with 167 849 and 167 849 corresponding normal control cases, respectively. The genetic data were analyzed using the inverse variance weighting method (IVW), MR Egger method, weighted median method, and Cochran′s Q-test.Results:The IVW analysis showed that asthma increased the risk of both CRSwNP ( OR=482.8, 95% CI: 57.18-4 077.78, P<0.001) and CRSsNP ( OR=25.73, 95% CI: 9.79-67.56, P<0.001); AR significantly increased the risk of CRSsNP ( OR=5.40, 95% CI: 1.68-17.26, P=0.004), but not CRSwNP ( OR=7.38, 95% CI: 0.80-67.73, P=0.077). Conversely, neither CRSwNP nor CRSsNP increased the risk of asthma or AR. Conclusion:According to Mendelian genetic laws, asthma is a risk factor for CRSwNP and CRSsNP, while AR is a risk factor for CRSsNP.

Objective To compare the effects of two arc(TA)and dual arc(DA)techniques on the dose distribution to the planning target volume(PTV)and organs at risk(OAR)in volumetric modulated arc therapy(VMAT)for lower mid-thoracic esophageal cancer.Methods Ten patients with lower mid-thoracic esophageal cancer who received radiation therapy at some hospital from July 2020 to June 2022 were selected retrospectively.A TA radiation therapy plan and a DA radiation therapy plan were developed for each patient using the Ray Arc module of RayStation 4.7.5.4 planning system,and the two kinds of radiation plans were compared in terms of dosimetric parameters including D2,D5,D50,D95,D98,homogeneity index(HI),conformity index(CI),beam-on time and total monitor unit for PTV and lung V5,V10,V20,V30 and Dmean and heartV30,V40 and Dmean and spine cord Dmax for OAR.SPSS 22.0 was used for statistical analysis.Results TA and DA radiation therapy plans had no significant differences in PTV CI,HI,D2,D5,D50,D95 and beam-on time(P＞0.05),and DA plan had D98 and total monitor unit higher obviously than those of TA plan(P＜0.05).In terms of OARs protection,DA plan had heart V30,V40 and Dmean slightly lower than those of TA plan with non-significantly differences(P＞0.05),while lung V5,V30 and Dmean and spine cordDmax significantly lower(P＜0.05).Conclusion DA technique gains advantages over TA technique in PTV dose distribution and dose to OAR,and the involvement of DA technique in preparing the VMAT plan for esophageal cancer contributes to enhancing the treatment efficacy.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2024,45(1):62-66]

Deep vein thrombosis(DVT)is a common complication after surgery for lower limb fracture.It has the features of high morbidity,high disability rate and high mortality.At present,the measures for clinical prevention and treatment of post-operative DVT in lower limb fracture mainly include perioperative nursing,intervention with medical auxiliary instruments,western medicine prevention and treatment,traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)intervention,and patients'self-cooperation.The patients'self-cooperation is the basis for the smooth implementation of other measures for prevention and treatment,and the patients'active cooperation is the premise of achieving the efficacy of prevention and treatment.Perioperative nursing is helpful for the patients to understand the risk factors of postoperative DVT and the possible risks after the occurrence of DVT,guides the patients to choose the food,assists the patients to do postoperative exercises,improves the level of patients'hemorheological indexes,and reduce the incidence of postoperative DVT.Medical devices are helpful for assisting patients to do postoperative rehabilitation exercises,improving the levels of hemodynamic indicators,promoting patients'rehabilitation and reducing the incidence of postoperative DVT.Western medicines such as low molecular weight heparin,Rivaroxaban,Enoxaparin and other anticoagulant drugs can reduce the aggregation of coagulation factors and blood viscosity,and reduce the incidence of postoperative DVT.TCM interventions mainly include oral administration of Chinese medicine and external treatment such as acupuncture,moxibustion and massage.Oral administration of Chinese medicine is helpful for improving blood flow status.Acupuncture,moxibustion and massage are beneficial to the activation of the function of zang-fu organs,and can stimulate the healthy qi to improve the qi-blood state of the whole body.Each method of prevention and treatment has its advantages and disadvantages.In clinical application,reasonable prevention and treatment methods should be selected according to the specific conditions and individual conditions of the patients.TCM intervention of DVT can be performed in patients with lower limb fracture before and after surgery,and has the advantages of low cost and definite efficacy,which is worthy of continuous research and inheritance and innovation.

Objective To compare the effects of erector spinae plane block (ESPB) and serratus anteri-or plane block (SAPB) on postoperative analgesia and recovery time in the patients with thoracic surgery by the meta analysis.Methods The databases of Pubmed,Embase,Cochrane Library,Web of Science,CNKI, Wanfang and VIP were systematically retrieved by computer.The studies on the effect of ESPB and SAPB for postoperative analgesia in the patients with thoracic surgery published from January 1,2013 to now were col-lected.The RevMan5.4 software was used to conduct the summary analysis.Results A total of 13 random-ized controlled trials (RCT) involving 929 patients were included,including 464 cases in the ESPB group and 465 cases in the SAPB group.There was no statistically significant difference in the VAS pain scores at rest at postoperative 1,2,6,8,12,24,48 h and during activity at postoperative 2,4,8,12 h between the two groups (P>0.05).The rest VAS score at postoperative 4 h had statistical difference between the ESPB group and SAPB group (MD=-0.15,95％CI:-0.24 to -0.06,P<0.01).The activity VAS scores at postoperative 24 h had statistical difference between the ESPB group and SAPB group(MD=0.74,95％CI:0.01-1.48, P=0.05).There was statistically significant difference in the effective pressing times of analgesic pump at postoperative 48 h between the two groups (MD=-0.19,95％CI:-0.36-0.02,P=0.03).There was no statistically significant difference in the use amount of opioids drugs at postoperative 48 h between the two groups (MD=-5.32,95％CI:-11.76-1.13,P=0.11).There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence rates of postoperative analgesia-related adverse events,nausea and vomiting and skin pruritus between the two groups (MD=1.07,95％CI:0.85-1.34,P=0.58;MD=0.86,95％CI:0.53-1.40,P=0.56).The first time out of bed after surgery (MD=-0.01,95％CI:-0.04-0.05,P=0.81),postoperative eating time (MD=-0.22,95％CI:-0.84-0.40,P=0.49) and postoperative hospitalization stay duration (MD=-0.07,95％CI:-0.64-0.51,P=0.82) had no statistical differences between the two groups.Con-clusion SAPB and ESPB as postoperative analgesic methods all could provide good analgesic effect in the pa-tients with thoracic surgery.ESPB is recommended to use it first for postoperative analgesia in the patients with thoracic surgery

Objective:To investigate serum levels of retinol-binding protein 4(RBP4)and cystatin C(CysC)in pa-tients with coronary heart disease(CHD)and their association with intestinal flora.Methods:A total of 97 CHD patients admitted in our Department of Critical Care Medicine from December 2019 to December 2020 were treated as CHD group,another 99 healthy subjects undergoing physical examination simultaneously were regarded as control group.Serum levels of RBP4 and CysC,positive rates and number of intestinal flora were compared between two groups.With serum mean levels of RBP4 and CysC in CHD patients as critical value,they were divided into serum RBP4 high level group(RBP4≥35.97 ng/ml,n=53)and low level group(RBP4＜35.97 ng/ml,n=44),serum CysC high level group(CysC≥ 1.49 ng/ml,n=49)and low level group(CysC＜1.49 ng/ml,n=48).Number of intestinal flora were compared between different level subgroups,and Pearson method was used to analyze the asso-ciation of RBP4,CysC levels with flora number.Results:Compared with control group,there were significant rise in RBP4 and CysC levels,and significant reductions in culture positive rates and flora numbers of Bifidobacterium,Firmicutes,Lactobacillus and Proteus(P＜0.001 all),and significant rise in culture positive rates and flora numbers of Staphylococcus and Escherichia coli in CHD group(P＜0.001 all).Compared with RBP4 low level group,there were significant reductions in flora numbers of Bifidobacterium,Firmicutes,Lactobacillus and Proteus,and signifi-cant rise in flora numbers of Staphylococcus and Escherichia coli in RBP4 high level group(P＜0.001 all);com-pared with CysC low level group,there were significant reductions in flora numbers of Bifidobacterium,Firmicutes,Lactobacillus and Proteus,and significant rise in flora numbers of Staphylococcus and Escherichia coli in CysC high level group(P＜0.001 all).Pearson correlation analysis indicated that RBP4 level was significant inversely correla-ted with flora numbers of Bifidobacterium,Firmicutes,Lactobacillus and Proteus(r=-0.626～-0.482,P＜0.001 all),and significant positively correlated with flora numbers of Staphylococcus and Escherichia coli(r=0.302,0.337,P＜0.01 both);CysC level was significant inversely correlated with flora numbers of Bifidobacteri-um,Firmicutes,Lactobacillus and Proteus(r=-0.621～-0.502,P＜0.001 all),and significant positively corre-lated with flora numbers of Staphylococcus and Escherichia coli(r=0.308,0.340,P＜0.01 both).Conclusion:Se-rum levels of RBP4 and CysC increase in CHD patients,and they are closely related to the composition of intestinal flora.