The connotation of the "four-dimensional pivot-earth" qi transformation mode is a dialectical system of the ascending and descending of yin-yang qi movement， which presented as "the middle Jiao showing earth qi mediating， the left wheel showing water and wood ascending， and the right wheel showing fire and metal converting and descending". Based on this dialectical thinking， it is believed that the core pathogenesis of myasthenia gravis is deficiency of center qi and transportation failure to pivot-earth； the middle-stage characteristics of the disease progression are the loss of mediation of the central qi， resulting in water coldness and wood constraint， and clear yang failing to ascend； the final outcome of this disease is the loss of astringeing of lung metal and qi sinking. The treatment should be based on the rule of qi movement， so for the start-stage， Buzhong Yiqi Decoction （补中益气汤） should be used as the basis to nourish the earth and consolidate the root， and restrengthen the middle qi； for the middle-stage， herbs like Yingyanghuo （Epimedium brevicornu Maxim.）， Bajitian （Morinda officinalis How） could be combined to warm the water and soothe the wood， raise yang and boost qi； for the final stage， plus Sini Decoction （四逆汤） to astringe metal to stop collapse， and powerfully supplement original qi. All these medicinals can promote pivot-earth re-transportation， four-dimensional transformation， and regular circulation of qi movement， so as to provide thoughts for improving the clinical effectiveness of myasthenia gravis.

Although metal blocks have been widely used for reconstructing uncontained tibial bone defects, the influence of their elastic modulus on the stability of tibial prosthesis fixation remains unclear. Based on this, a finite element model incorporating constrained condylar knee (CCK) prosthesis, tibia, and metal block was established. Considering the influence of the post-restraint structure of the prosthesis, the effects of variations in the elastic modulus of the block on the von Mises stress distribution in the tibia and the block, as well as on the micromotion at the bone-prosthesis fixation interface, were investigated. Results demonstrated that collision between the insert post and femoral prosthesis during tibial internal rotation increased tibial von Mises stress, significantly influencing the prediction of block elastic modulus variation. A decrease in the elastic modulus of the metal block resulted in increased von Mises stress in the proximal tibia, significantly reduced von Mises stress in the distal tibia, decreased von Mises stress of the block, and increased micromotion at the bone-prosthesis fixation interface. When the elastic modulus of the metal block fell below that of bone cement, inadequate block support substantially increased the risk of stress shielding in the distal tibia and fixation interface loosening. Therefore, this study recommends that biomechanical investigations of CCK prostheses must consider the post-constraint effect, and the elastic modulus of metal blocks for bone reconstruction should not be lower than 3 600 MPa.
Knee Prosthesis ; Humans ; Finite Element Analysis ; Tibia/surgery* ; Elastic Modulus ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee/methods* ; Stress, Mechanical ; Metals ; Prosthesis Design ; Knee Joint/surgery* ; Biomechanical Phenomena

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of autologous ear cartilage biomimetic nasal tip framework construction combined with dermal fat dorsal grafting in rhinoplasty.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical data of patients who underwent rhinoplasty at the Department of Plastic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine from June 2021 to May 2023. Autologous ear cartilage with preserved perichondrium was harvested from patients, and fashioned into a nasal tip framework simulating the natural nasal tip structure. Dermal fat grafts were harvested from the lateral gluteal crease region where the dermis was thicker, and implanted into the nasal dorsum for augmentation rhinoplasty. Postoperative follow-up included observation of incision healing, nasal tip morphology, and complications. Pre- and postoperative photographs were taken to measure nasal length and nasal tip height. Ultrasound was used to measure subcutaneous fat thickness at the nasal root before and after surgery, and absorption rates were calculated. The absorption rate at 6, 12, and 24 months postoperatively = (1 -subcutaneous fat thickness at 6 or 12 or 24 months postoperatively/subcutaneous fat thickness at 1 month postoperatively) × 100%. Aesthetic satisfaction was evaluated based on surgeon assessment, patient self-evaluation, and third-party physician evaluation (satisfaction by all three parties was rated as markedly effective, by two parties as effective, by one party as fair, and by none as poor). The aesthetic satisfaction rate = (markedly effective + effective) cases/total cases × 100%. Comparisons of preoperative and postoperative nasal tip height and nasal length were performed using paired t-tests, with P<0.05 considered statistically significant. Comparisons of subcutaneous fat thickness at the nasal root at different time points and absorption rates at different postoperative time points were performed using repeated measures ANOVA, with post-hoc pairwise comparisons using Bonferroni correction. For subcutaneous fat thickness comparisons, P<0.007 was considered statistically significant; for absorption rate comparisons, P<0.017 was considered statistically significant. Results:A total of 38 patients were included, consisting of 5 males and 33 females, with a mean age of 29.42 years (range 20-38 years). All patients were followed up for 24 months postoperatively. All incisions healed well; nasal appearance was aesthetically pleasing; nasal dorsal height was satisfactory; nasal tip mobility was good; the framework was stable; and no complications occurred. At 24 months postoperatively, nasal tip height [(22.87±0.52) mm vs. (19.94±0.53) mm] and nasal length [(47.18±0.61) mm vs. (44.20±0.55) mm] were significantly increased compared to preoperative measurements (both P<0.01). Comparison of subcutaneous fat thickness at the nasal root between preoperative and postoperative time points (1, 6, 12, and 24 months) showed statistically significant differences ( P<0.007). Post-hoc comparisons revealed statistically significant differences between: postoperative 1 month and 6 months vs. preoperative; postoperative 12 months vs. postoperative 1 and 6 months; and postoperative 24 months vs. postoperative 1 and 6 months (all P<0.007). However, the comparison between postoperative 24 months and 12 months showed no statistically significant difference ( P>0.007). Comparison of absorption rates at postoperative time points (6, 12, and 24 months) showed statistically significant differences ( P<0.017). Comparisons between postoperative 12 months vs. 6 months, and postoperative 24 months vs. 6 months showed statistically significant differences (both P<0.017), while the comparison between postoperative 24 months and 12 months showed no statistically significant difference ( P>0.017). In the aesthetic satisfaction survey, 37 cases were markedly effective and 1 case was fair, achieving an aesthetic satisfaction rate of 97%. Conclusion:The use of autologous ear cartilage for constructing a biomimetic nasal tip framework combined with dermal fat dorsal grafting in rhinoplasty results in natural postoperative appearance and high patient satisfaction, demonstrating significant value for extensive clinical use.

Objective:To investigate the use of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants(NOACs)and their associated comorbidities in patients aged 80 years and older with non-valvular atrial fibrillation(NVAF), as well as to understand the challenges faced by elderly patients receiving NOAC therapy.Methods:We retrospectively enrolled elderly patients(≥80 years old)with NVAF who were treated with NOACs at a hospital in Beijing from January 2018 to August 2023.Patients were categorized into two age groups: 80-89 years and ≥90 years.We collected baseline data, including demographic characteristics, details of atrial fibrillation, comorbidities, laboratory test results, and medication combinations, for descriptive statistical analysis and intergroup comparisons.Results:A total of 695 elderly patients with NVAF receiving NOACs were included in the study, with a median age of 84 years.Among these patients, there were 328 males(47.19%, 328/695)and 422 cases of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation(60.72%, 422/695).The age group of 80-89 years comprised 640 cases(92.09%, 640/695), while the group aged 90 years and above included 55 cases(7.91%, 55/695).The use of NOACs in patients aged 90 and older exhibited an increasing trend over the years.Inter-group comparisons indicated that the ≥90 years group had lower body mass index, longer hospital stays, increased bedridden time, poorer renal function, lower levels of albumin and hemoglobin, and higher D-dimer levels.Inappropriate dosing of DOACs occurred in 49.64%(345/695)of cases, with 90.72%(313/345)receiving doses lower than recommended.Lower-than-recommended doses were more prevalent in the ≥90 years group, while higher-than-recommended doses were more common in the 80-89 years group.Polypharmacy was noted in 61.29%(426/695)of patients.The concurrent use of antiplatelet drugs, rhythm control medications, and ventricular rate control drugs was observed in 12.52%(87/695), 19.57%(136/695), and 54.53%(379/695)of patients, respectively, with no significant differences between groups.Conclusions:Inappropriate dosing and polypharmacy are prevalent issues among elderly NVAF patients.Therefore, it is essential to enhance multidisciplinary collaboration to optimize anticoagulation treatment strategies.

Objective:To investigate the relationship between carotid intraplaque hemorrhage (IPH) in CT angiography(CTA) and perivascular fat density (PFD).Methods:This study retrospectively analyzed 103 patients with carotid atherosclerosis, including 209 carotid plaques, who received carotid CTA and high-resolution magnetic resonance angiography in Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University from January 2018 to July 2023. According to the evaluation of IPH by MRI, the plaques were divided into IPH group ( n=85) and non IPH group ( n=124). CTA was used to evaluate the plaque characteristics (calcification, lumen stenosis, maximum plaque thickness and plaque density) and PFD. Univariate and multivariate logistic analysis was used to evaluate the relationship between PFD and IPH. The diagnostic efficacy of multiple features was performed by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Results:Finally, 103 patients with 209 carotid plaques were collected. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that PFD ( OR=1.183, 95% CI 1.104-1.267, P<0.001) still showed a significant association with IPH after adjusting for age, hyperlipidemia, degree of luminal stenosis, plaque calcification, maximum plaque thickness, and plaque density. The area under the curve values, sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of combined PFD, maximum plaque thickness, and plaque density were 0.980, 88.24%, 98.39%, and 94.26%, respectively. Conclusion:The changes of PFD in the carotid artery are closely related to the presence of carotid IPH in MRI and may become a new imaging indicator for high-risk plaque identification and cerebrovascular risk assessment.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy and safety of ceftazidime/avibactam （CAZ/AVI） combined with amikacin （AMK） in the treatment of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae （CRE） severe pneumonia. METHODS A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 240 patients diagnosed with severe pneumonia caused by CRE infection in the intensive care unit （ICU） of the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University from January 2022 to December 2024. The patients were divided into a combination group （CAZ/AVI combined with AMK， n＝136） and a control group （CAZ/AVI alone， n＝104）. The 28-day mortality rate， clinical efficacy，mechanical ventilation time， ICU stay， infectious markers [C-reactive protein （CRP）， procalcitonin （PCT）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， white blood cell count （WBC）， and neutrophil percentage （N%）]， Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation Ⅱ （APACHE Ⅱ） scores， and total incidence of adverse reactions were compared between two groups of patients. At the same time， subgroup analysis was conducted based on the severity of the condition， mechanical ventilation status， and baseline renal function. RESULTS The 28-day mortality rate of patients in the combination group was significantly lower than that in the control group （20.6% vs. 34.6%， P＝0.022）， and the clinical effective rate was significantly higher than that in the control group （80.1% vs. 65.4%， P＝0.004）. The mechanical ventilation time and ICU hospitalization time in the combination group were significantly shorter than those in the control group （[ 7.2±2.4） days vs. （10.4±3.6） days， （10.5±3.1） days vs. （13.7±3.8） days； P＜0.01].After 7 days of treatment， the CRP， PCT， IL-6， WBC， N% and APACHE Ⅱ scores of patients in the combination group significantly decreased compared to before treatment， and the decrease was significantly greater than that of the control group （P＜0.01）. There was no statistically significant difference in the total incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups of patients （11.8% vs. 13.5%， P＝0.690）. Subgroup analysis showed that among high-risk （APACHE Ⅱ score≥15） and mechanically ventilated patients， the 28-day mortality rate and weaning time of the combination group were significantly lower/ shorter than those of the control group （P＜0.05）， while there was no significant difference in the total incidence of adverse reactions between the combination group and the control group after dose adjustment in patients with chronic renal insufficiency （P＞0.05）. CONCLUSIONS The CAZ/AVI combined with AMK regimen has better anti-infective efficacy and good safety in patients with severe pneumonia caused by CRE infection compared to the CAZ/AVI regimen alone； the survival benefits of this joint regimen are more significant in high-risk and mechanically ventilated patients， with critically ill patients being the main beneficiaries.

Objective:To investigate the expression characteristics of plasma proteins in patients with acute diquat poisoning by proteomic technology, and to screen the targets and biomarkers related to the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of acute diquat poisoning.Methods:This study was a retrospective case-control study. Patients with diquat poisoning admitted to Nanjing University Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital from August 2022 to December 2023 were enrolled. Healthy volunteers matched for age and gender during the same period were selected as the control group. The general clinical data and plasma samples were collected, and qualitative and quantitative analyses of plasma proteins were performed by proteomic technology based on nanoliter liquid chromatography tandem quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare differences of plasma protein expression between the two groups. Results:A total of 8 diquat poisoning patients and 7 healthy individuals were included in this study, and 491 plasma proteins were identified. Compared with control group, 76 differentially expressed proteins were obtained from the poisoned group, including 35 up-regulated proteins and 41 down-regulated proteins. GO analysis showed that the differentially expressed proteins were mainly associated with oxygen transporter activity, receptor binding, and hyaluronic acid-binding endopeptidase inhibitor activity. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis revealed that differentially expressed proteins were associated with complement and coagulation cascades, neutrophil extracellular trap formation, and platelet activation. In addition, the expression of adiponectin (ADIPOQ) was not only increased in poisoned patients, but also significantly higher in non-survivors than in survivors ( P<0.01). Conclusions:Multiple plasma proteins with abnormal expression may be involved in the pathological process of acute diquat poisoning. ADIPOQ may have potential application value in the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of acute diquat poisoning.

Huang Yuanyu, a famous TCM doctor in the Qing Dynasty, believed that the human body's qi system revolves around the spleen and stomach as the pivot, with the liver, heart, lungs, and kidneys as the four major organs, and the circulation is constant. TCM guided therapy regulates qi and blood by regulating the body, heart, and breath, which is in line with this theory. Based on Huang Yuanyu's "pivot movement" theory, this article explored the application of guided therapy in refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease (rGERD). Guided by the "pivot movement" theory, which includes the left path wood fire rising and falling, the right path gold water converging and falling, and the adjustment of the focal point through the mediation of earth and qi, and referring to the guidance movement methods in the Ba Duan Jin and Zhu Bing Yuan Hou Lun, a "pivot guidance method" for rGERD patients is developed, five movements: adjusting the body and heart, turning the waist and benefiting the kidneys, including rubbing the abdomen and regulating the spleen, soothing the liver and bending the knees, and tightening the lungs and reducing reflux. The aim is to promote smooth circulation of qi throughout the body and improve symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux. In clinical practice, guided therapy should be applied under the guidance of a doctor, with slow and gentle movements, attention to regulating breathing, and long-term persistence.

The intestinal microecology is closely related to the occurrence and development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The intestinal microbiota and its metabolites can regulate the tumor immune microenvironment through the "gut-liver axis", promoting cancer progression. Therefore, the intestinal microbiome is gradually demonstrating the potential as a biomarker for early diagnosis of HCC and prediction of the efficacy of immunotherapy. Targeted intervention on the intestinal microecology (such as probiotics, fecal microbiota transplantation, dietary regulation, etc.) may enhance the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and is becoming a promising combination therapy strategy. In the future, HCC treatment will rely on multi-omics integration, artificial intelligence-assisted diagnosis, and synthetic biology tools to promote the translation of precise gut flora intervention strategies from basic research to the clinic. This article summarized the latest research progress of intestinal microecology in HCC, explored its potential value and development direction for precision diagnosis and treatment of HCC, and provided a theoretical basis for the clinical application of related intervention strategies.